John K. Keller
Mr. Keller is a partner in the Vorys Columbus office and a member of the commercial, real estate, energy, environment and utilities practice. He provides general business representation, primarily to persons engaged in natural resources industries. He has significant experience in operational issues, real estate, litigation and arbitration, acquisitions, zoning, banking, and business planning.
Career highlights include:
- Acting as lead trial counsel in gas contract arbitration against a Fortune 100 company resulting in an award of more than $100 million
- Defending and negotiating favorable settlements in two Ohio gas royalty class action cases
- Counseling lenders and borrowers in hundreds of millions of dollars in loans secured by Appalachian Basin petroleum reserves
Mr. Keller is a member of the Ohio State Bar Association, the Columbus Bar Association, the Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation and the Mountain States Legal Foundation.
Mr. Keller is a frequent speaker on topics related to oil and gas leases and curative procedures, local regulation of mineral production, the governmental taking of mineral rights, creditor’s rights in mineral industries and seismic operations.
Mr. Keller received his J.D. from Duke University School of Law and his A.B. from Indiana University.
Professional and Community Activities
- Energy and Mineral Law Foundation, Executive Committee, 1998-2001; Oil & Gas Committee, Chair; Annual Institute, Chair
- Ohio State Bar Association, Natural Resource Committee, Chair
Honors & Awards
- Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010
- Ohio Super Lawyers, Alternative Dispute Resolution, 2004 & 2009-2010
- The Best Lawyers in America, Oil and Gas Law, 2008-2010
News
- 54 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2010 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys ranked #1 law firm in Ohio on 2010 Best Lawyers in America® list
- 70 Vorys Attorneys Recognized as 2009 Ohio Super Lawyers
- Vorys named the "2008 Leading Ohio Law Firm" by Best Lawyers
Publications
- "Representing Unsecured Creditors in Oil and Gas Collection Matters," Ohio Legal Center Institute Publication, 1984 (No. 144)
- "Drafting the Modern Oil and Gas Lease," Eastern Mineral Law Institute, 1981 (Vol. 2)
- "Legal Aspects of Geophysical Exploration," Eastern Mineral Law Institute, 1992 (Vol. 13)
- W. Jonathan Airey & John K. Keller, "Basic Revision in the Ohio Oil and Gas Law," Ohio State Bar Association Reports, 1980 (Vol. 53)