DONALD W. SHAFFER
Don represents mineral property owners and operators of oil and gas leases in all manner of transactions. He also counsels individuals and estates who own oil and gas properties, including leases, as to the disposition or transfer of such properties. In addition, he represents personal representatives, trustees, and guardians in all fiduciary phases before administrative offices and courts, as well as in their dealings with beneficiaries, family members, and other interested parties.

Practice Areas
• Estate Administration Law
• Oil Field Transactions and Operations
• Estate Planning

Representative Matters
• Associate Counsel in a successful ADR proceeding, Asamera Oil (Indonesia) Ltd.
et al. v. Mobil Oil Indonesia, Inc., before the International Court of Arbitration of the
International Chamber of Commerce, a significant victory over a colossus of the
oil industry.
• Oil and Gas Law counsel to the Decedent’s Estate and Testamentary Trusts of
Michael L. Benedum (the “Great Wildcatter”), members of the Benedum family,
The Benedum-Trees Oil Company and the Edith L. Trees Trust.
• Over 40 years as counsel to the Texas Guardianship Estate of Joe Benedum Trees.

Experience
• 2002  Metz Lewis LLC
• 1959  Weller, Wicks, and Wallace, P.C.

Education
• 1956  J.D., University of Michigan
• 1953  B.A., University of Michigan

Admissions
• Pennsylvania
• U.S. Supreme Court

Professional Affiliations and Honors
• American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Allegheny County Bar Association, Probate and Real Property Section
• Recognized as an AV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell peer review
• Recipient of the PBA Fifty-Year Member Award by the Pennsylvania Bar Association

Personal Interests and Activities
• Volunteer, Survivors Affairs, American Cancer Society