Plano, TX (September 10, 2025) – The Institute for Energy Law (IEL), a division of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), honored Steptoe & Johnson PLLC and Yasser A. Madriz, a partner in McGuireWoods LLP’s Houston office, as recipients of its 2025 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award.
The awards were presented on October 15, 2025, during a reception at the Asia Society Texas Center in Houston. The evening featured a fireside chat with Yasser Madriz and Christopher Slaughter of Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, moderated by Phyllis Young of McGuireWoods LLP, exploring leadership and collaboration in advancing diversity and equity within the energy and legal communities.
“The Institute for Energy Law was proud to recognize Steptoe & Johnson PLLC and Yasser for their exceptional leadership in fostering inclusive cultures and expanding opportunities across the profession,” said Vickie Adams, CAIL Vice President and Co-Director of IEL. “Their achievements reflect the values at the heart of IEL’s mission—to advance an energy industry and legal community that welcome and empower all voices.”
Established in 2022 by IEL’s Executive Committee, the Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion Award honors individuals and organizations that demonstrate a sustained commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion in the energy and legal sectors.
The Institute for Energy Law extends its gratitude to the sponsors who made this year’s event possible: Premier Annual Sponsor – Baker Botts L.L.P.; Platinum Sponsor – Steptoe & Johnson PLLC; Gold Sponsors – Liskow & Lewis and McGuireWoods LLP; and Silver Sponsor – ConocoPhillips.
ABOUT THE HONOREES
About Steptoe & Johnson PLLC – Steptoe & Johnson PLLC is a law firm nationally recognized for its strengths in energy law with more than a century of know-how in the areas of business, employment, and litigation. Steptoe & Johnson PLLC has over 400 attorneys and other professionals practicing in 18 offices in Colorado, Kentucky, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, and West Virginia. The firm is active in several law firm networks, including the Employment Law Alliance, First Law International, and TerraLex.
About Yasser A. Madriz - Madriz is an accomplished trial lawyer with extensive experience handling complex, high-stakes litigation in federal and state courts across the United States. A former managing partner of McGuireWoods LLP’s Houston office, he represents clients in multimillion- and multibillion-dollar business, commercial, and energy disputes, including technology and intellectual property matters, trade secret theft, and unfair competition claims. Drawing on his background as a transactional attorney, Madriz approaches complex corporate disputes with strategic insight that bridges both litigation and deal perspectives.
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About the Institute for Energy Law – The Institute for Energy Law (IEL) was founded in Dallas in 1959 as a division of The Center for American and International Law, an international nonprofit educational institution for lawyers, judges, and law enforcement professionals. IEL provides lawyers and other professionals in the energy industry with exceptional academic and professional opportunities, including annual conferences, courses, seminars, scholarly publications, and membership activities. As one of the energy industry's premier membership organizations, IEL counts many leading global energy companies and attorneys among its international members. Visit www.cailaw.org/IEL to learn more.