Matthew S. Casto

Matt Casto is a shareholder in the Energy and Natural Resources and Litigation groups of Babst Calland. His practice is focused on energy matters, including the oil and gas industry with an emphasis in commercial, administrative and general litigation. Mr. Casto represents clients in connection with contract and lease disputes, pipeline litigation, toxic torts and energy and mineral law matters including, but not limited to, surface disputes, royalty, leasing, real property and title issues, administrative and seismic matters. His experience with regard to these matters involves coordinating initial investigations, conducting negotiations on behalf of clients and serving as lead trial counsel during all phases of discovery and at trial.

Mr. Casto routinely handles matters involving multi-party litigation concerning issues related to lease disputes, injunctive relief, premises liability, quiet title actions, personal injury defense, deliberate intent, indemnification and contract issues, products liability, workplace safety, industrial and commercial accidents, motor carrier liability and public utility litigation. He has extensive experience handling unknown and missing heir petitions, partitions of real property, and guardian ad litem actions dealing with real property. Mr. Casto also routinely represents clients before the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection’s Shallow Gas Well Review Board and the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. He has successfully represented clients and provided advice and guidance on issues involving toxic torts, complex litigation, drilling contracts and oil and gas title issues.

Mr. Casto previously served as in-house counsel for a national oil and gas producer. During his tenure, he managed and handled litigation for a multi-state area, handled surface disputes, encroachments, regulatory issues and assisted with land, administrative and transactional matters.

Background

Mr. Casto attended Montana State University at Billings and received a Bachelors of Arts in history and graduated with honors. In 1999, he graduated summa cum laude from Willamette University College of Law in Salem, Oregon. He also spent one year as a visiting student at Washington and Lee School of Law in Lexington, Virginia.

Publications/Presentations

•Presenter, “Update on Litigation and Emerging Issues in the Appalachian Basin,” AAPL’s Appalachian Land Institute.
•Presenter, “Annual Update on Oil and Gas Cases,” Energy & Mineral Law Foundation 30th Annual Institute.
•Presenter, “Subsurface Trespass and Hydraulic Fracturing Issues,” Appalachian Association of Professional Landmen.