Nicholson
CHARLESTON -- Roger L. Nicholson has decided to rejoin Jackson Kelly effective Aug. 1 after six years as Senior Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel at International Coal Group, Inc. (ICG), which was recently acquired by Arch Coal.
Prior to ICG, Nicholson was a Member of Jackson Kelly (first joining the firm in 2002). Nicholson has more than 25 years of experience in the coal and natural resources industries. His broad industry experience includes acquisitions and divestitures, coal supply arrangements, complex commercial litigation, leasing and other commercial transactions as well as experience in each of the nation's major coal-producing basins.
In addition to ICG, Nicholson previously served in multiple roles for Massey Energy Company, which was acquired by Alpha Natural Resources earlier this year. For two years, Nicholson served as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel at Massey Energy, managing all legal matters of the corporation and its subsidiaries including participating in its successful spin-off from Fluor Corporation.
From 1995-2000, Nicholson served as Assistant General Counsel and Secretary. Nicholson has also served as counsel for Arch Mineral Corporation (now Arch Coal, Inc.) and as Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of its land-holding subsidiary, Ark Land Company.
"Roger has a high level of experience inside the coal industry and is one of the few individuals in the country who understands the complexity of coal supply agreements and the intricacies of managing large-scale publicly traded coal mining operations," Jackson Kelly CEO Michael D. Foster said. "As current events unfold and the major coal companies continue to acquire and merge with others, I know that Roger will be a true asset to our clients, and we are thrilled he decided to return to practice with our firm. His addition enhances our status as the coal industry's outside 'general counsel'."
Jackson Kelly has been ranked by Law360 as one of the top two law firms in the United States for largest percentage of attorneys practicing in the energy industry among firms with 100 or more lawyers and as one of 2010 Best Law Firms by U.S. News Media Group and Best Lawyers, specifically for its mining practice. Jackson Kelly was one of only six firms ranked in the first-tier nationwide, and the only West Virginia-based firm to achieve that distinction.