William C. Illingworth

Rhine Ernest LLP welcomed Mr. Illingworth as a partner to the firm in January of 2005. Mr. Illingworth's practice focuses on coal, oil and gas, and real estate law and commercial transactions. He is active in the Indiana Oil and Gas Association, Illinois Oil and Gas Association and Kentucky Oil and Gas Association, as well as, numerous other mineral organizations and is routinely involved in examining title and issuing acquisition, pre-drill and/or division order title opinions for oil and gas and coal clients, as well as, crude oil purchasers. Mr. Illingworth is the current general counsel for the Indiana Oil and Gas Association.

Mr. Illingworth is an agent for Attorneys' Title Guaranty Fund and is licensed to issue title insurance coverage for leasehold and commercial real estate interests in Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin.

Mr. Illingworth is a native of Linton, Indiana and earned his undergraduate degree at the University of Southern Indiana. He was a top graduate of the University of North Dakota, School of Law, graduating with distinction and earning induction into the Order of Coif. Upon graduation, in 1999, Mr. Illingworth joined the Firm as an associate attorney.

Bar Admissions

• State of Illinois
• State of Indiana
• U.S. District Court, Northern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court, Southern District of Indiana
• U.S. District Court Southern District of Illinois
• U.S. District Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
• U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois

Areas of Practice

Coal, Oil and Gas Law; Commercial Litigation; Real Estate.

Education

University of Southern Indiana (B.S. 1996); University of North Dakota (J.D. with distinction, 1999); Order of Coif.

Memberships

• Tri-State Association of Professional Landmen
• Indiana Oil and Gas Association
• Illinois Oil & Gas Association
• Kentucky Oil & Gas Association
• Energy & Mineral Law Foundation
• Wabash County Bar Association
• Illinois State Bar Association
• Indiana State Bar Association

• Published Decisions

  • Meisler v. Gull Oil, Inc., 848 N.E.2d 1112 (Ind. App. 2006).
  • Yokel v. Hite, 348 Ill. App.3d 703, 809 N.E. 2d 721, 284 Ill. Dec. 155 (Ill. App. 5th Dist. 2004).

  Publications

  • Slurry and Coal Refuse Disposal - Underground Disposal of Slurry and Coal Refuse in Mine Voids: does the Coal Owner/Lessee have the Legal Right to Dispose of Slurry and Coal Refuse in Mine Voids? 28 Energy & Min. L. Inst. Ch. 11 (2008).