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Christian Turak

Christian E. Turak

Oil & Gas Lawyer

SuperLawyers

Christian E. Turak is an oil and gas lawyer and partner at Gold Khourey & Turak. 

Because he focuses his practice on oil and gas law, Christian provides his clients with a wealth of knowledge and experience when it comes to oil and gas issues.  Whether he is representing a client in a lease negotiation, pipeline negotiation, or a multi-million dollar royalty dispute, Christian makes sure that he gives each and every client and their case the personal attention they deserve.  After all, Christian’s job is not just about obtaining the very best result possible, it’s about making the journey there as stress free as possible for his clients.

It’s an honor when clients trust me to handle their oil and gas case, and I don’t take it lightly. Oftentimes, a person’s oil and gas rights are their greatest asset and millions of dollars are at stake. That’s why it’s so important for me to know my clients on a personal level and understand their goals. The truth is, my clients aren’t just clients—they’re my neighbors, friends, and family.

Christian has represented hundreds of landowners with lease negotiations, pipeline negotiations, surface use negotiations, oil and gas sales, and other similar oil and gas transactions.  In these hundreds of oil and gas transactions, Christian consistently delivers value for his clients by obtaining greater compensation and landowner-friendly contracts that protect his clients, their family, and their legacy. 

Christian also fights for landowners who have been wronged by oil and gas companies.  Christian handles a wide-array of oil and gas lawsuits, including oil and gas royalty disputes, trespass issues, nuisance claims, and ownership disputes/quiet title actions.  Christian’s skills and experience litigating oil and gas lawsuits speak for themselves. 

Christian E. Turak - Leading Oil and Gas Lawyer

Christian E. Turak is one of only a few lawyers in West Virginia and Ohio that focuses his practice almost exclusively on oil and gas cases. 

Through his years of experience representing landowners, Christian has gained a wealth of oil and gas knowledge and experience.  As a result, Christian has been asked to give presentations on a variety of oil and gas topics.  Some of Christian’s presentations include:

Presentation: “Effective Use of Blogs and Social Media”

June 2, 2023 – Charleston, WV

West Virginia Association for Justice Annual Meeting

Presentation: “Lease Clauses 101”

October 2019 - Pittsburgh, PA

National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) National Convention

Presentation: “From Tawney to Today: West Virginia Royalty Language and the Loopholes Producers Use to Deduct Post-Production Expenses”

2019 Moundsville, WV

National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) Fuel Yourself With Knowledge Seminar

National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) Fuel Yourself With Knowledge Seminar,

2019 - New Martinsville, WV

National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO), Fuel Yourself With Knowledge Seminar

Landowner Informational Meetings

2015-2018, various locations throughout West Virginia (Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, and Doddridge Counties)

Educational town hall meetings regarding the Columbia Mountaineer XPress Pipeline, Columbia Leach XPress Pipeline, Mountain Valley Pipeline, and Rover Pipeline

Oil and Gas Lease Informational Meetings

2015-2016, various locations throughout West Virginia (Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel Counties)

Educational town hall meetings regarding oil and gas lease opportunities

Christian is also a frequent writer on varied oil and gas topics through GKT’s oil and gas blog.  Through his blogs, Christian covers everything from some of the most commonly encountered landowner issues to the latest changes in oil and gas law and proposed legislation.  Christian has also written articles for the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) ROAR publication, which has a national readership.  In 2021, Christian’s letter to the editor opposing forced pooling was published by the Intelligencer/Wheeling News Register.  Also in 2021, he was a guest on Howard Monroe’s the Watchdog Radio Show to discuss a proposed forced pooling bill. In 2023, Christian was featured on a global publication, Politico.com, highlighting his oil and gas knowledge.

Oil and Gas Results

Christian is eager to put his knowledge and experience to work for his clients.  Whether it’s his work representing oil and gas lease or pipeline groups or fighting for landowners in court, Christian’s results speak for themselves:

Oil and Gas Lease and Pipeline Groups

Marshall & Ohio Counties Landgroup

2014-2016

Christian was an integral member of the team of lawyers who organized a landowner lease group to collectively negotiate the terms of an oil and gas lease. Using a strength in numbers approach, Christian and the team of attorneys were able to leverage the power of the Landgroup to obtain unparalleled lease bonus, royalty, and other terms that would not have been offered otherwise.  Over $100,000,000 in bonus payments were ultimately paid as part of the Landgroup deal.

Rover Pipeline Landowners Group

2014-2020

Christian was the lead attorney who organized a landowner group to collectively negotiate a pipeline deal with Rover Pipeline, LLC. Christian represented close to 100 landowners that represented to close to 100,000 feet of Rover’s pipeline in West Virginia and Ohio.  Christian used the leverage of this group to negotiate a lucrative deal in the face of threats of eminent domain.  Over $5,000,000 in total compensation was paid to landowners. 

Columbia Mountaineer XPress Landowners Group

2016-2020

Christian also organized and led another pipeline group to negotiate with Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC.  This pipeline landowners group consisted of approximately 50 West Virginia landowners, representing approximately 40,000 feet of Columbia’s pipeline.  Christian was successful in negotiating over $6,000,000 for members of the group.

Marshall & Wetzel Counties Landgroup

2016-2018

After the success of the Marshall & Ohio Counties Landgroup, Christian and the team of attorneys formed another Landgroup to replicate the results. Again, Christian was a key member in organizing the Landgroup and negotiating on its behalf.  Christian and a couple other lawyers ultimately traveled to Fort Worth, Texas and were successful in securing secured an unprecedented deal for Landgroup members, resulting in millions of dollars in bonus payments and royalties. 

Columbia Leach XPress Landowners Group

2015-2020

After the success of the Rover Pipeline Landowners Group, Christian organized the Columbia Leach XPress Landowners Group to negotiate a pipeline deal with Columbia Gas Transmission, LLC. Christian represented over 20 landowners in West Virginia and obtained over $2,000,000 in total compensation.

Other Oil and Gas Case Results

John Doe v. Gas Company

2022

$1,000,000+ settlement for landowner asserting claims that two decades-old oil and gas leases were not held by production and had expired. 

John Doe v. Gas Company

2020

$1,000,000+ settlement for landowners asserting claims that their leases had expired

John Doe v. Pipeline Company

2020

$600,000 settlement for landowner asserting claims for damage to his property as a result of pipeline operations

Pipeline Company v. John Doe

2020

$550,000 settlement for landowner whose land was taken by eminent domain for installation of a pipeline

John Doe v. Pipeline Company

2019

$750,000 settlement for two landowners whose homes were endangered by landslides caused by pipeline operations

John Doe v. Pipeline Company

2018

$600,000 settlement for landowner after pipeline exploded on her property

John Doe v. Pipeline Company

2020

$300,000 settlement for landowner asserting a pipeline trespass on his property

However, Christian understands that results aren’t always measured by dollars and cents.  Oil and gas cases can involve significant intrusion and disturbance to a person’s day-to-day life.  When those activities occur, Christian understands that his clients want more than just compensation for their ordeal—they want their life back.  Christian helps deliver that, and his efforts doing so for one such family were covered by local news outlets.

Our Clients Share Their Stories

When I received a large packet in the mail from a big time Oil & Gas Company saying I had inherited a portion of property they were drilling on, I had no idea what to do, but I knew that I didn't fully understand what I needed to do. I then got in contact with Gold, Khourey & Turak! I worked closely with Christian Turak. He negotiated an agreement on my behalf regarding my mineral rights which resulted in a much higher payment to sell my mineral rights.

Melissa G. Oil & Gas

I have worked with Christian Turak and Josh May. Phone calls are always promptly returned and they are empathetic, trustworthy and supportive. Both are intentional about helping clients and thorough in their research.

Lee C. Oil & Gas

My brother and I have used this group of legal personnel, over the past few years with great satisfaction, someone keeps with updates either by phone or e-mail on a regular basis, and in a timely manner. If questions occur, some one from the office returns our call with information within 24 hrs. or less. I would recommend this group for your legal needs in the state of West Virginia. These people are very familiar with Gas and Oil representation to clients, My brother and I are speaking from experience and well satisfied with the results reached. If needing legal advise these guys are worth your time to speak with.

Steve W. Oil & Gas
Charlotte Mobley - Oil & Gas
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Milton and Linda McCracken - Oil and Gas
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Frank and Jeannie Heller - Oil and Gas
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Larry and Elva Barr - Oil and Gas
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Professional and Community Involvement

Outside of GKT, Christian serves his community in a variety of ways:

Christian also runs GKT’s Booze & Cruise, You’ll Lose program that seeks to inform high school students of the dangers of drinking and driving.  The Booze & Cruise, You’ll Lose program includes an interactive quiz, a mock sobriety field test performed with a member of local law enforcement and a student volunteer, and personal testimonials by people who have been affected by alcohol-related vehicle accidents.  Christian is joined by members of the Wheeling Nailers, WTOV9, and local law enforcement.  A Booze & Cruise, You’ll Lose program was covered by WTOV9 in 2019.

Education

  • New York Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2011
  • The George Washington University, B.A., 2008

Bar & Court Admissions

  • West Virginia
  • Ohio
  • New York
  • United States District Court, Northern District of West Virginia
  • United States District Court, Southern District of West Virginia
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
  • United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals

Personal Life

Christian, his wife, Maggie, and their three children live just outside Moundsville, West Virginia in Marshall County. 

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