Transnational Arbitration

12th ITA-IEL-ICC Joint Conference on International Energy Arbitration - Houston

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Houston, Texas, USA

Past Event

MCLE Credit will be available

Hilton Houston Post Oak
2001 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056

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Registrar: +1.972.244.3403
ITA: +1.972.244.3414
IEL: +1.972.244.3422
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: ita@cailaw.org or iel@cailaw.org

Overview

The Joint Conference is presented by The Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA), The Institute for Energy Law (IEL) (both subsidiaries of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL)) and The International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC).

The 1½-day ITA-IEL-ICC Joint Conference is presented annually in Houston with the support of other leading regional and global arbitration organizations. The Joint Conference traditionally includes a year-in-review analysis of key developments in international energy arbitration practice during the preceding year, panels and debates concerning these developments, a Forum for off-the-record discussion of current issues, a Young Arbitrators Roundtable and a variety of social networking activities.

Conference Co-Chairs

Picture of David Runnels

Gabriela Álvarez-Ávila
Partner
DLA Piper
Mexico City, Mexico

Picture of David Runnels

Eugene Silva
Senior Disputes Counsel
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Houston, TX, USA

Picture of David Runnels

Willie Wood
Partner
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Houston, TX, USA

Young Lawyers Roundtable Co-Chairs

Picture of Dustin Appel

Dustin Appel
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP
Houston, TX, USA

Picture of Eugenie Rogers

Eugenie Rogers
Baker McKenzie
Dallas, TX, USA

Picture of Sylvia Samano

Sylvia Sámano
Hogan Lovells LLP
Mexico City, Mexico

Schedule and Faculty

Thursday, January 18

2:00-2:30 pm - REGISTRATION


2:30-2:45 pm - Welcome

  • Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris, France
  • Michael P. Lennon, Jr., IEL Chair, Mayer Brown, Houston, Texas
  • Tomasz J. Sikora, ITA Chair, Senior Counsel - International Disputes Group, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas

YOUNG LAWYERS ROUNDTABLE

Presented by
ICC Young Arbitrators & ADR Forum (YAAF)
IEL Young Energy Professionals (YEP)
Young ITA (YITA)

Roundtable Co-Chairs

  • Dustin Appel, IEL YEP Representative, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Houston, Texas
  • Eugenie Rogers, ICC YAAF Representative, Baker McKenzie, Dallas, Texas
  • Sylvia Sámano Beristain, Young ITA Representative, Hogan Lovells, Mexico City, Mexico

2:45-2:50 pm - Welcome to the Roundtable


2:50-3:50 pm - Ensuring the Independence and Impartiality of Experts in Arbitration

Panelists will address the delicate balance of securing engagements by counsel and the parties they represent in arbitration, while maintaining the requisite independence and impartiality from counsel and party appointees to uphold the professional and ethical duties that apply to experts. Panelists will discuss the ethical duties owed to the tribunal in connection with expert evidence, the different approaches taken by counsel in preparing experts for oral evidence, and the tension and various considerations that may be encountered.
As part of the discussion, the panel will consider a number of hypothetical scenarios that illustrate possible conflicts of interest or impairments to impartiality and ways that parties or tribunals might address these issues.

Moderator: Eugenie Rogers, Baker McKenzie, Dallas, Texas

Panelists:

  • Christina L. Beharry, Foley Hoag, Washington, D.C.
  • F. Teresa Garcia-Reyes, Baker Hughes, Houston, Texas
  • Miguel A. Nakhle, Compass Lexecon, Houston, Texas
  • Charline Yim, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, New York

3:50-4:55 pm - Adapting to New Energy Contracts: How Will Energy Transition Change Arbitration Practice?

Energy transition will bring new transactions with new issues and new deal structures. Panelists will explore how these phenomena will reshape the substantive practice of energy-related arbitration.

Moderator: Ruxandra Esanu, Wordstone Dispute Resolution, Paris, France

Panelists:

  • Clea Bigelow-Nuttal, Pinsent Masons LLP, London, United Kingdom
  • Nathan O’Malley, Musick, Peeler & Garrett LLP, Los Angeles, California
  • Irina Tsveklova, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, Houston, Texas

5:00-6:15 pm - Welcome Reception


6:30-8:30 pm - Joint Conference Dinner

Optional Ticketed Event – Space Limited - We are sorry but the conference dinner has sold out. If space becomes available through cancellations, we will advise attendees at the conference.

Caracol Restaurant

2200 Post Oak Blvd., #160
Houston, TX

Friday, January 19

8:00 – 9:00 am - REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST


9:00 – 9:05 am - Welcome Back

Conference Co-Chairs

  • Gabriela Alvarez-Avila, DLA Piper, Mexico City, Mexico
  • Eugene Silva, ExxonMobil, Houston, Texas
  • Willie Wood, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Houston, Texas

9:05 – 9:40 am - Keynote Address: An Overview of the Impact of Recent Geopolitical Disruption on International Business

  • The Hon. Mark W. Menezes, President & Chief Executive Officer, United States Energy Association, Washington, D.C.

9:40 – 10:40 am - The Impact of Wartime and Related Sanctions on Arbitration Proceedings and the Enforcement of Awards

Navigating an international arbitration under optimal circumstances is complicated enough. Geopolitical disruptions such as war, sanctions, and boycotts introduce even greater challenges. The panel will consider how to address potential disruptions during the conduct of proceedings and the subsequent enforcement of awards.

Moderator: David Y. Livshiz, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, New York, New York

Panelists:

  • Laurie Achtouk-Spivak, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, Paris, France
  • Alexander G. Fessas, Secretary General, ICC International Court of Arbitration, Paris, France
  • Charlene Sun, DLA Piper, New York, New York

10:40 – 11:10 am - COFFEE BREAK


11:10 – 12:10 pm - Political Risks in Big Energy Projects: If Not Investment Treaties, Then What?

Mitigating risk through investment treaty protection has become de rigueur in most large, cross-border energy projects. However, there are challenges to this conventional wisdom. From restrictions on access, redefinition of rights, and even outright repudiation, practitioners in this area must think creatively for new ways to manage political risk. Panelists will survey this emerging reality and share their thoughts on what the future of investment protection could look like.

Moderator: Ann Ryan Robertson, Locke Lord LLP, Houston, Texas

Panelists:

  • Mónica Jiménez, GeoPark Colombia, Bogotá,Colombia
  • Silvia Marchili, White & Case LLP, Miami, Florida
  • Alberto Ravell, Managing Counsel – Commercial & Environmental Litigation, ConocoPhillips, Houston, Texas
  • David Weiss, Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, Texas

12:10 – 2:00 pm - Luncheon and Oral History Interview

A Conversation with

Doak Bishop
King & Spalding LLP
Houston, Texas

Interviewed by

Tomasz J. Sikora
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Houston, Texas

This interview is the latest in a series organized by the ITA Academic Council to record the evolution of modern international arbitration in the words of those who have led it.


2:00 – 2:40 pm - 2023 Year in Review: The Top 10 (Or Close To 10) Developments in International Energy Arbitration

This presentation will survey investor-state and commercial disputes in the energy sector and highlight the biggest developments of the last year. Casting an eye over the wide range of matters that have come before arbitral tribunals in 2023, speakers will identify rulings and industry trends that are likely to influence energy arbitration into 2024 and beyond.

  • Kevin O’Gorman, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Houston, Texas
  • Laura Sinisterra, Debevoise & Plimpton, New York, New York

2:40 – 3:40 pm - Identifying, Quantifying, and Proving Damages in Energy Projects: How to Incorporate Risks in Calculating Damages Based on Unforeseen Circumstances?

This panel will explore recent developments and strategies in addressing risks, including both unforeseen regime and regulatory changes, in modeling damages. It will address, among other developments, (i) assessment of risk for renewable energy projects that have not commenced operations, and (ii) how changes in the “equilibrium of the contract” should or should not affect damages awarded by arbitral tribunals.

Moderator: Richard D. Deutsch, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Houston

Panelists:

  • Veronica Irastorza, The Brattle Group, San Francisco, California
  • John Burritt McArthur, Law Office of John Burritt McArthur, Berkeley, California
  • Dr. Blanca Perea, FTI Consulting, Miami, Florida
  • Almir Smajlovic, Secretariat Advisors, LLC, Houston, Texas

3:40 – 4:00 pm - COFFEE BREAK


4:00 – 5:00 pm - ITA-IEL-ICC Forum

The Forum is an open and informal discussion that provides arbitrators, arbitration counsel, and in-house counsel the opportunity to share experiences and raise concerns about arbitration practice in an off-the-record format. The agenda for the Forum is determined by the participants, by pre-submitted questions and topics and by spontaneous remarks at the event. Registrants will receive instructions on how to submit questions or topics for discussion at the Forum.
Moderators:

  • Adrián Magallanes, Von Wobeser y Sierra, S.C., Mexico City, Mexico
  • Dr. Diora M. Ziyaeva, Dentons US LLP, New York, New York

5:00 pm - CLOSING REMARKS

Overnight Accommodations

Hilton Houston Post Oak
2001 Post Oak Blvd.
Houston, TX 77056
1.713.961.9300

  • Standard King rooms available at $189.00+/night
  • Rooms are available the nights of Jan. 17th and Jan 18th, with limited availability 3 days post and prior depending on hotel inventory.

Book by December 26, 2023.

Book Your Hotel

CLE Credit

Course ID Number: 174223140. This program is approved by the State Bar of Texas for 6.25 hours, of which no credit hours will apply to ethics/professional responsibility credit.  Credit hours for other states will vary and are subject to each state’s approval and credit rounding rules.

For this conference, ITA & IEL will directly apply (if requested) for course accreditation in the following states: California, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, West Virginia and Virginia. Some of these states may not approve a program for credit hours before the program occurs. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through reciprocity or attorney self-submission in other states. ITA & IEL conferences are typically accredited by all mandatory CLE states.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Canvas Bag - $9,000 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Canvas Bag on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 3 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Conference Dinner at Caracol on January 18 - $5,000 (limited to four)

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Joint Conference Dinner on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Conference Coffee Breaks - $6,000 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registration (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Lanyard Sponsorship - $5,000 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Company/Firm Name on badge lanyard
  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as Lanyard Sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

WiFi Sponsorship - $5,000 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Company/Firm Name as wifi code for conference
  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as Wifi Sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • Sponsor name included as WIFI Password (with limitations on length and venue requirements)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Conference Breakfast - $5,000 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Conference Luncheon - $4,000

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Luncheon on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Charging Station - $3,500 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Materials Sponsor (includes full page advertisement) - $3,500 (exclusive sponsorship) - SOLD

  • Full page Company/Law Firm Advertisement on the back of the Conference Materials Binder
  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 2 complimentary conference registrations (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Welcome Reception - $3,000 (limited to five)

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Welcome Reception on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 1 complimentary conference registration (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 2 complimentary guests at the Welcome Reception
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Young Lawyers Roundtable - $2,750 (limited to four) - SOLD

Presented by the Young ITA, the IEL Young Energy Professionals and the ICC Young Arbitration & ADR Forum

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • Recognition as a sponsor of the Roundtable on the conference website, in all marketing, and at the conference
  • 1 complimentary conference registration (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Exhibitor - $2,500

  • Exposure to ITA, IEL and ICC constituents
  • 1 complimentary conference registration (all events, plus the ticketed Conference Dinner)
  • 1 exhibition table for promotional materials
  • Name/logo on the conference website with link to company page

Other Information

Nondiscriminatory Policy

The Center for American and International Law does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status in educational activities, scholarship programs or admissions.

ICC Privacy Policy

Your information will also be collected by the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) for the purpose of registering you for the event. You may receive postal and electronic communications from the ICC related to ICC Arbitration and ADR activities in accordance with ICC's Privacy Policy. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by contacting Marek.Krasula@iccwbo.org (for North America contact list) or ICC_Connect@iccwbo.org (for global contact list).

Privacy Policy

We do not sell or rent information to any outside parties. By providing your information, you will receive postal and electronic communications from the Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL) in accordance with CAIL's Privacy Policy. If we co-sponsor a program with another organization, information may be shared between the parties. All such co-sponsors will be identified on the event details and registration page. At any point, you can opt-out or unsubscribe by selecting either link at the bottom of each email or call us at 972.244.3400.

Sponsor an Event

Presented by

Canvas Bag Sponsor

Conference Coffee Breaks Sponsor

Lanyard Sponsor

Wi-Fi Sponsor

Conference Breakfast Sponsor

Charging Station Sponsor

Luncheon Sponsors

Conference Materials Sponsor

Welcome Reception Sponsors

Young Lawyers Roundtable Sponsors

Institutional Supporter

Exhibitors