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The week that was: Lawyering up for Marcellus Shale
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If you're looking to make money off Marcellus Shale development, your best bet might be having one of two things: land or a law degree. A week doesn't go by where Pittsburgh-area firms don't announce new hires in energy litigation.
And the gusher of interest in oil and gas law is also being seen in Houston. The Wall Street Journal reported that an uptick in oil and gas deals has increased competition among energy law firms in the Texas city. Headhunters say experienced associates can expect a 10 to 20 percent increase in salary for going to a competitor. One new attorney told the Journal he got a phone call on his first day in the office -- from a recruiter asking if he wanted to jump ship to a different firm. "I don't know how they knew I was here," he said.
That's the amount of money in fines and restitution that BP PLC will have to pay in accepting responsibility for the 2010 oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a record-breaking oil spill, and it's being met with a record-breaking fine: The $4.5 billion is the biggest penalty ever doled out by the U.S. Justice Department.
"I think we're all aware that we have some urgent business to do."
-- President Barack Obama, speaking to lawmakers in a meeting about how officials will respond to the "fiscal cliff" deadlines for tax legislation.
The city is hoping shoppers won't let the threat of a parking ticket keep them from heading to some Pittsburgh neighborhoods this holiday season.
The Post-Gazette's Mark Belko reported this week that drivers will be able to park for free in city parking authority garages in Oakland, Shadyside and Downtown on Saturdays during the holiday season through Dec. 22.
First Published November 18, 2012 12:00 am
