22nd Annual Energy Litigation Conference

Overview

The 22nd edition of the Energy Litigation Conference will bring together some of the top in-house and private practice energy litigators to discuss new trends in energy litigation, recent case law of importance to energy litigators, and ways to improve an energy litigation practice.

Conference Co-Chairs

Jenn Kaiser
Continental Resources, Inc.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Lara D. Pringle
Jones Walker LLP
Houston, Texas

Registration Fees

• $550 - Regular Registration Fee
• $460 - IEL Advisory Board Member
• $460 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee
• $460 - IEL Young Energy Professional Member
• $75 - Full-time Professor
• $50 - Law Student

Schedule and Faculty

7:50 a.m. - Registration

8:20 – 8:30 a.m. - Welcome, Overview and Introductions

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. - Recent Developments in Energy Law

This presentation will examine developments from the past 12 months in jurisprudence, statutes, and regulations relevant to energy law, with a focus on what litigators need to know.

Keith B. Hall, Director of Energy Law Center, LSU Law School, Baton Rouge, Louisiana

9:30 – 10:15 a.m. - Litigation Finance Essentials for Law Firms and Corporations

This panel will explore the rising trend in litigation finance from several angles:

• An investment banker who advises clients in the energy space on dispute management will discuss the ways in which companies can use litigation finance;
• A trial attorney who has used third party finance will discuss strategic considerations and best practices in working with a funder;
• Representatives from two different litigation funding companies (the panel moderator and one guest) will discuss their processes and what they look for in a litigation investment opportunity; and
• A currently sitting federal judge will provide a perspective on issues that may come up in court, including disclosure and privilege.

• The Hon. Charles Eskridge, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston, Texas
• Brian Melton, Susman Godfrey L.L.P., Houston, Texas
• William Derrough, Moelis, New York, New York
• Mani Walia, Managing Partner & General Counsel, Siltstone Capital, LLC, Houston, Texas

10:15 – 10:45 a.m. - BREAK

10:45 – 11:30 a.m. - Trending Issues in Postproduction Cost Litigation

One of the most common claims asserted in oil and gas litigation relates to postproduction costs deducted from royalty payments. These lawsuits have only gained more importance over the last two decades with the development of oil and gas shale plays. This presentation looks at current trends in various jurisdictions across the United States, focusing on the following issues:

• Reservation fees on transportation pipelines and minimum volume commitments as postproduction costs
• “Add back” claims related to royalty payments
• Off-lease gas claims

• Christopher M. Hogan, Hogan Thompson Schuelke LLP, Houston, Texas
• April L. Rolen-Ogden, Liskow, Lafayette, Louisiana

11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. - Administrative and Judicial Challenges to Energy Projects

Administrative and Judicial challenges to energy projects brought by non-governmental entities are on the rise. These challenges are being brought at the local, state, and federal level resulting in delays, increased costs, and potential abandonment of projects. This panel will focus on three stages of project development where these challenges arise which include the pre-permit application phase, agency review stage, and the post-permit stage.

• Tim Parsons, Ph.D., Senior Project Manager, SEARCH, Inc., Tallahassee, Florida
  
• Alex Prochaska, Jones Walker LLP, Lafayette, Louisiana
• Timothy M. Riley, Gunster, Tallahassee, Florida
• Meghan E. Smith, Jones Walker LLP, New Orleans, Louisiana

12:15 – 1:30 p.m. - Lunch: Lifetime Achievement in Energy Litigation Award Presentation and Speech

Award Recipient
David M. Castro, Sr.
Retired Associate General Counsel and Chief Litigation Counsel
Hess Corporation, Houston, Texas

Introduced by
Lawrence P. Simon, Jr.
Liskow, Lafayette, Louisiana

1:30 – 1:45 p.m. BREAK

1:45 – 2:45 p.m. - Litigation from the Energy Company Perspective

This panel of in-house counsel with responsibility over litigation and dispute resolution matters will discuss the current trends and hot issues facing in-house counsel in the energy industry, working with outside counsel, and representing energy clients in litigation.

Moderator:

• Laranda Moffett Walker, Susman Godfrey L.L.P., Houston, Texas

Panelists:

• Merideth Bentley Herald, Lead Counsel, Senior Attorney - Permian, Continental Resources Inc., Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
• Neal Nobles, Senior Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas
• Alberto Ravell, Managing Counsel, Commercial & Environmental Litigation, ConocoPhillips, Houston, Texas
• Jessica Sykora, Assistant General Counsel, Energy Transfer LP, Houston, Texas

2:45 – 3:30 p.m. - New World, Old Fights: Litigation Risks in CCUS

Every step in the CCUS process raises the potential for disputes with investors, landowners, regulators, and just about everyone else. This panel will discuss how companies and practitioners can embrace this emerging technology while anticipating and mitigating the litigation risk.

• Bryant R. Bremer, Kean Miller LLP, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Kara H. Herrnstein, Bricker Graydon LLP, Columbus, Ohio
• Sara Mouledoux Glover, Arnold & Porter, Denver, Colorado

3:30 – 3:45 p.m. - BREAK

3:45 – 4:30 p.m. - Energy Offshore - Litigation Impacting Energy Export and Offshore Development

Beyond our shores, United States energy development is expanding beyond traditional oil and gas. Leasing and construction to harness renewable offshore wind is underway. In addition, world markets hunger for U.S. LNG and other energy resources. Recent statutory changes in Congress are impacting all of this. This panel will review statutory changes and current litigation putatively affecting U.S. energy offshore.

• Jonathan Brightbill, Winston & Strawn LLP, Washington, D.C.
• Tod J. Everage, Kean Miller LLP, New Orleans, Louisiana 
• Mark R. Robeck, Assistant General Counsel, Golden Pass LNG Terminal LLC, Houston, Texas

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. - Employer and Ethical Dilemmas: The Rise of Artificial Intelligence Regulation

Energy companies and lawyers can obtain incredible benefits from the deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI), but they must also navigate a variety of risks. As local, state, federal, and international regulators all have their eye on AI, attorneys must carefully guide technology and HR departments through a patchwork of laws and dilemmas, including those related to potential bias, discrimination, and labor force friction. Meanwhile, lawyers face their own ethical dilemmas in using AI tools—remaining technologically competent in advancing client goals while also protecting client information. Whether you seek intelligence that is human or artificial, this CLE on emerging AI issues and ethics is right for you.

• Yasser A. Madriz, McGuireWoods LLP, Houston, Texas
• Meghaan C. Madriz, McGuireWoods LLP, Houston, Texas

5:30 – 6:30 p.m. - NETWORKING RECEPTION

CLE Credit

Texas Course Number 174210283. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 6.75 credit hours, of which 0.5 credit hours will apply to ethics/professional responsibility credit.

IEL will directly apply (if requested) for course accreditation in the following additional states: California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Attorneys may be eligible to receive CLE credit through reciprocity or attorney self-submission in other states, which may require you to pay an additional fee. Credit hours vary depending on the jurisdiction. IEL conferences are typically accredited by all mandatory CLE states. Please review your jurisdiction’s MCLE regulations for more information on the ability to obtain credit for this program.

Overnight Accommodations

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

• Nights available: November 1
• $179/+ standard room
• Cutoff 10/11/23

Book Your Hotel

Sponsorship Opportunities

Wi-Fi Sponsorship (Exclusive) - $6,000 - SOLD

• Name/logo reflected in Wi-Fi access code
• Recognition in all marketing material, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Prominent recognition on the Conference background slide
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and conference break slides
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Recognition from podium during the Conference
• 4 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference.

Conference Notepads (Exclusive) - $5,000 - SOLD

• Name/Logo on notepads distributed to all attendees
• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from podium during the Conference
• 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference

Lanyard Sponsor (Exclusive) - $5,000 - SOLD

• Name on lanyards distributed at Conference
• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference

Breakfast Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,000 - SOLD

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• Recognition via signage at the breakfast
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference

Morning Break Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,000 - SOLD

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference

Afternoon Break Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,000 - SOLD

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference

Conference Materials Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,000 - SOLD

• Single page company/firm advertisement showing through back of packet containing Conference related material
• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference

Hosted Luncheon and Presentation of the IEL Outstanding Achievement in Energy Litigation Award - $3,250 each

Honoring David M. Castro, Sr., Retired Associate General Counsel and Chief Litigation Counsel, Hess Corporation

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition at the luncheon
• 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference

Charging Station (Exclusive) $3,000 - SOLD

• Signage Recognizing Sponsor at charging stations
• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• 1 complimentary registrant at the Energy Litigation
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conferences

Networking Reception - $2,500 each

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company/firm logo on the Conference website, with link to company/firm website
• Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• Recognition from the podium during the Conference
• Recognition on signage at the reception
• 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference
• 2 complimentary guests at reception
• An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference

Exhibitor (Non-law Firms only) - $2,250 each

• Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
• Company logo on the Conference website, with link to company website
• Company logo prominently displayed in the Conference program and Conference break slides
• 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference
• Space to display company/firm materials at the conference.

Other Information

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 Energy Law (IEL) 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.