The Institute for Energy Law (IEL), a division of The Center for American and International Law (CAIL), is pleased to announce its 2026 Leadership Class. Now in its ninth year, the program brings together 40 professionals.
This year's class reflects the breadth of today's energy landscape — professionals from eight U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Mexico, Switzerland, and Venezuela, working across litigation, transactions, regulatory matters, arbitration, engineering, and energy law. Beyond their careers, members bring remarkable personal stories: former collegiate athletes, multilingual professionals, first-generation lawyers, published authors, musicians, entrepreneurs, mentors, and parents — perspectives shaped by countries, industries, and career paths as varied as the class itself.
“This year's Leadership Class represents the depth of talent shaping the future of energy law," said Vickie Adams, IEL Director. "Nine years in, what stands out most is the caliber of professionals we continue to bring together — leaders who are already making an impact in their fields and will only strengthen this industry in the years ahead”
The year-long program launches with virtual orientation sessions in August, followed by an in-person retreat in September. Participants will engage in curated webinars, leadership development opportunities, and networking events aimed at fostering long-term professional connections and expanding their influence within the energy law community.
2026 IEL Leadership Class
- Ryan Andrée, Beveridge & Diamond, P.C.
- David L. Attanasio, Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP
- Daniel Avila, II, Reed Smith LLP
- Tyler Boyce, King & Spalding LLP
- Carolina Seixas Braga, White & Case LLP
- Valkyrie (Kyrie) Buffa, Beatty & Wozniak, P.C.
- Katie Caminati, Shell USA, Inc.
- Courtney Campion Lou, Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Perry C. Cavender, Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
- Sally Cook, O'Melveny & Myers LLP
- Harmon L. (Monty) Cooper, Crowell & Moring LLP
- Natalia Cosío Ondiviela, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP
- Akilah F. Craig, Troutman Pepper Locke LLP
- James B. Danford, Jr., Mayer Brown LLP
- Mitchell D. Diles, McGuireWoods LLP
- Anastasiia Dulska, Bar & Karrer Ltd.
- Liz Felicidario, Haynes and Boone, LLP
- Melanie Fridgant, K&L Gates LLP
- Alexandra Gjertson, Liskow
- Cristina Goulet, Kean Miller LLP
- Shahmeer Halepota, AZA Law
- Sam L. Hughes, ConocoPhillips
- Blas Ichaso, Baker McKenzie
- Madeline Inzenga, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP
- Connor Kilgallen, Vinson & Elkins LLP
- Alicia Kliner, Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Khalid Kullab, King & Spalding LLP
- Celena Loeb, Energy Transfer LP
- Justin Marocco, Jones Walker LLP
- Annie Matthews, Kelly Hart Pitre
- Chimdimma Onyedebelu, American Arbitration Association (AAA-ICDR)
- Marcos Osorio, FTI Consulting
- James Parsons, Oliva Gibbs, PLLC
- Hannah Ruth Roberts, Exxon Mobil Corporation
- Ignacio Tasende, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP
- Matt Trawick, Baker Botts L.L.P.
- Victor M. Vazquez Maulen, Venture Lex
- Alex Woodlock, TC Energy
- Zachary C. Zahn, Foley & Lardner LLP
- Sarah Zhang, Baker Botts L.L.P.
For more information about the IEL Leadership Class, please visit www.cailaw.org/IEL.
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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.
CAIL/IEL Media Contact
Karla Lárraga, Communications Officer
(972) 244-3436 | klarraga@cailaw.org