75th Annual Energy Law Conference
-
Hybrid Conference
In-Person Attendance held at
The Westin Houston, Memorial City
945 Gessner Road
Houston, Texas 77024
Registrar: +1.972.244.3403
IEL: +1.972.244.3421
Fax: +1.972.244.3401
E-Mail: iel@cailaw.org
Overview
As the world’s long running energy law conference, the 75th Annual Energy Law Conference will bring together legal leaders and other professionals in the energy industry for two days of excellent educational programming covering the oil, gas, and renewables sectors of the energy industry. Attended by in-house leaders, experienced energy attorneys in private practice, government attorneys, landmen, non-legal energy professionals, and young energy professionals, this conference also provides opportunities for social and professional networking with distinguished and diverse attendees.
The conference is free for all IEL Advisory Board Members.
Conference Co-Chairs

Gregory V. Brown
Evolution Well Services
The Woodlands, Texas

Liz Klingensmith
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP
Houston, Texas
IEL Distinguished Leadership in Energy Award Recipient

Gretchen Watkins
President
Shell USA, Inc.
As President of Shell USA, Inc., Gretchen Watkins oversees the strategic integration of all Shell businesses in the United States and leads the US Country Coordination Team. Since being named to this post in 2018, she has become the company’s leading voice, with public and private leaders, across a wide range of energy-related policy and societal challenges.
In addition to these responsibilities from May 2018-June 2021, Gretchen also served as Executive Vice President of Shell’s Global Shales business, overseeing the exploration, development, and production of Shell’s Upstream shale oil and gas portfolio, which included assets in the US, Canada, and Argentina.
Before joining Shell in May 2018, Gretchen served as the Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Oil, following two years as Chief Operating Officer. Gretchen’s tenure at Maersk coincided with a low-price environment for oil, but under her leadership, the company delivered above-target operational and financial results, enabling a safe and successful enterprise sale of Maersk Oil to Total in 2017.
Gretchen began her career nearly 30 years ago as a Facilities Engineer for Amoco in the Gulf of Mexico. She then worked as a Trading Manager for Amoco and BP before commencing an international career that has included a variety of senior executive roles at BP, Marathon Oil, and Maersk Oil in North America, Europe, and Asia. She has led joint ventures and negotiated contracts with countries and companies across the upstream, midstream, and downstream businesses.
Gretchen currently serves as a non-executive director of the Mosaic Company, one of the world’s leading producers and marketers of concentrated phosphate and potash crop nutrients, and previously served as a non-executive director for W. S. Atkins, a global engineering consultancy and FTSE 200 company from 2014 until its merger with SNC Lavalin in 2017. Gretchen graduated from The Pennsylvania State University with a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and has had executive education at Cambridge and Stanford Universities.
Schedule and Faculty
Thursday, February 22
8:30 a.m. - Welcome and Overview
8:45 a.m. - Keynote Presentation
- Speaker Invited
9:30 a.m. - Case Law Update
This session will feature a review of important cases and other developments in energy law over the last year.
- Jasper Mason, Senior Counsel, Marathon Oil Company, Houston, Texas
10:30 a.m. - BREAK
11:00 a.m. - Legal Ethics in the Age of Generative AI
Legal Ethics in the Age of Generative AI” provides a high-level overview of emerging Generative AI (“GAI”) technologies to help attorneys better understand the capabilities and limitations of these tools. Presented by practitioners with over ten years of experience with AI, this CLE focuses on the following relevant topics: (1) an introductory primer of GAI tools, (2) legal issues surrounding the use of GAI, (3) the application of legal ethical rules to GAI, and (4) a brief overview of AI ethics and AI’s growing regulatory landscape.
- Kassi Burns, King & Spalding LLP, Austin, Texas
- Rose Hunter Jones, King & Spalding LLP, Atlanta, Georgia
12:00 p.m. Networking Luncheon
Afternoon Concurrent Sessions
US Litigation & Dispute Resolution Module Co-Chairs
Christopher D. Porter, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Houston, Texas
Jen Edwards, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Houston, Texas
1:30 p.m. – Recent Litigation Trends Facing Energy Companies
This presentation will analyze recent trends in energy litigation as reported by energy companies. The presentation will include a review of recent case law directly impacting energy companies.
- Melanie B. Rother, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Houston, Texas
- Jeffrey A. Webb, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, San Antonio, Texas
2:15 p.m. – Artificial Intelligence in Litigation
This session will look at the growing ubiquity and impact of artificial intelligence in litigation, as well as the justice system and judicial complex’s efforts to keep pace with this rapidly evolving intersection of law and technology.
- Robert H. Ford, Bradley Arant Boult Cummings LLP, Houston, Texas
3:00 p.m. - BREAK
3:15 p.m. – Texas’ New Business Court: What Attorneys and Businesses Need to Know
The discussion will cover the basics of Texas’ new Business Court, which is anticipated to become functional on September 1, 2024, including jurisdiction, judges, and logistics. The session will also touch on anticipated issues that may arise, as well as a comparison to other states’ business courts.
- Barrett H. Reasoner, Gibbs & Bruns LLP, Houston, Texas
- Ayesha Najam, Gibbs & Bruns LLP, Houston, Texas
4:00 p.m. – Defending Environmental Contamination Cases: Making the Best Out of a Bad Situation
This session will cover how energy companies can defend against environmental contamination cases arising from both legacy and current operations.
- Tracey Rice, Copeland & Rice LLP, Houston, Texas
US Transactional Module Co-Chairs
Scott Arrington, Houston, Texas
Kimberly Glasspool, Arroyo Energy Investment Partners, LLC, Spring, Texas
1:30 p.m. –Understanding Federal Tax Incentives for the Energy Transition: Carbon Capture, Clean Hydrogen and Clean Fuels Credits
The Inflation Reduction Act expanded existing credits, and enacted new credits, for energy transition projects. The credits for carbon capture, clean hydrogen and clean fuels may provide valuable economic support for natural gas, midstream and conventional power companies engaging in energy transition projects. This presentation will provide an overview of the requirements to claim these credits, how the credits may incentivize development, and how the credits can be monetized, including through elections for direct payment or sales of the credits for cash.
- Elizabeth McGinley, Bracewell LLP, New York, New York
2:15 p.m. – Trends and Developments in Infrastructure and Energy M&A
- Robert P. Goodin, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Houston, Texas
- Allan Kirk, Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Houston, Texas
3:00 p.m. - BREAK
3:15 p.m. – Emerging Trends from 2023 Developments in US LNG Projects
Three US LNG projects took final investment decision (FID) in 2023 and many projects remain in the running to take FID in 2024. The panelists will discuss a few trends which have emerged from US LNG projects in 2023 and how such trends may affect contract negotiations going forward, including more complicated project structures, upstream supplies and request for commissioning cargos.
- Monica Hwang, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Houston, Texas
- Jessica Roper, Senior Legal Counsel, Shell Global LNG, Houston, Texas
- Jason Schumacher, O'Melveny & Myers LLP, Dallas, Texas
4:00 p.m. – Impacts of the IRA and Federal Grants on the Financing of Energy Transition Projects
The IRA has generated significant interest in clean energy investment in the United States. The panel will address the latest trends and strategies for financing energy transition projects with direct pay, grants and traditional tax equity.
- Brian A. Bradshaw, Sidley Austin LLP, Houston, Texas
- Additional Panelists Invited
4:45 p.m. - Adjourn 1st Day
IEL 75th Anniversary and Distinguished Leadership in Energy Award Reception and Dinner
Honoring
Gretchen Watkins
President of Shell USA, Inc.
River Oaks Country Club
6:15 p.m. - Reception
7:15 p.m. - Dinner – Honoring Gretchen Watkins, President of Shell USA, Inc.
Friday, February 23
Morning Concurrent Sessions
Energy Transition Module Co-Chairs
Matt Giles, Chevron, Ames, Iowa
Kara H. Herrnstein, Bricker Graydon LLP, Columbus, Ohio
9:00 a.m. – Renewables Industry, Policy, and Legal Update
- Panelists Invited
9:45 a.m. – Electrical Grid Modernization and Expansion
- Juliana Sersen, Baker Botts L.L.P., Austin, Texas
- Additional Panelists Invited
10:30 a.m. - BREAK
10:45 a.m. – Major Headwinds in the Renewables Industry
- Luis F. Gomar, Paul Hastings LLP, Houston, Texas
- Barb Jacobs, Director, Government Relations, Lightsource bp, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Additional Panelists InvitedPanelists Invited
11:30 a.m. – Renewable Fuels: Development and Legal Considerations
- Panelists Invited
International Module Co-Chair
Richard D. Deutsch, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, Houston, Texas
9:00 a.m. – Energy Industry Headwinds Leading to Insolvency and What’s Next
This session will include a discussion of the business headwinds impacting the energy sector including the war in Ukraine, China’s economic slowdown, and the ongoing transition to renewable energy. Other challenges facing the sector include ongoing construction risk and general operations risk. We will discuss these issues, including recent case studies where applicable, and how the impacts may exacerbate ongoing insolvency issues in the sector.
- Dave Bones, HKA Global LLC, Phoenix, Arizona
- Timothy R. Chitester, P.E., HKA Global LLC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
9:45 a.m. – International Energy Disputes Arising from the Russia/Ukraine War
Energy disputes experts with first-hand experience in Russia and Ukraine arbitrations will discuss the broad range of international commercial disputes that may arise as a result of the war. The speakers will discuss potential claims that may arise against private parties and the governments of Russia and Ukraine (and others) arising from various measures, including Ukraine’s measures against Russian-owned energy businesses in Ukraine, asset seizures of Russian-owned energy businesses in the EU by certain nations’ sanctions regimes, and the Russian government’s seizure of foreign-owned energy businesses. They will also gaze into a crystal ball to predict what the next decade has in store for the Russian energy sector.
- Luke Wochensky, Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, New York, New York
- Baiju Vasani, Twenty Essex, London, United Kingdom
10:30 a.m. - BREAK
Mass Disaster Management and Insurance Recovery Module
David M. Cummings, Reed Smith LLP, Chicago, Illinois
10:45 a.m. – Crisis Management and Lessons Learned
Your company has been implicated in a disaster event. What now? In the moments that the unexpected is unfolding and beyond, it is important to implement savvy and informed crisis management strategies. This panel will examine best practices for navigating an ongoing crisis, as well as strategies for implementing lessons learned such that your company is best prepared going forward.
Moderator: David M. Cummings, Reed Smith LLP, Chicago, Illinois
Panelists:
- Michael Cuevas, HKA Global LLC, Miami, Florida
- Benjamin H. Patton, Reed Smith LLP, Houston, Texas
- Stacy Williams, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Symmetry Energy Solutions, LLC, Houston, Texas
11:30 a.m. – War Stories in Insurance Recovery
A well-structured corporate insurance program is a critical resource when faced with the unexpected. When experiencing a mass disaster event, and the potentially astronomical exposure that comes with it, it is especially important to look to insurance to respond and engage with insurers appropriately. This panel will examine the state of the insurance market, potential avenues of coverage, and navigating insurance claims including by employing best practices and avoiding pitfalls.
- David M. Cummings, Reed Smith LLP, Chicago, Illinois
- Lynette Wachuku, Senior Vice President, Energy and Power Claims Advocate, Marsh, Houston, Texas
- Additional Panelist Invited
12:15 p.m. - Luncheon and Program: Navigating a Post-SFFA World: The Current Legal Landscape of DEI
This engaging presentation will contextualize the Supreme Court’s recent decisions in two cases brought by Students for Fair Admissions (“SFFA”), as they relate to what law firms and companies can do regarding diversity initiatives. After first aligning the Court’s decision in the higher education context with recent developments regarding diversity endeavors in the corporate sector, this presentation will address developments since the Court’s June 29, 2023 decision. Attendees will walk away with a better understanding of what this decision means for their firms and companies.
- Jack L. White, McGuireWoods, Washington, D.C.
1:45 p.m. - Semi Charmed Life: Defeating Addiction in the Profession (Ethics)
This topic will discuss the addiction issues facing our profession today, while providing valuable information on the resources available to help lawyers who struggle with addiction. The presentation will also discuss the interplay between addiction issues, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and the protections available to lawyers who seek help.
- Matt W. Sherwood, McCarn, Weir, & Sherwood P.C., Amarillo, Texas
2:45 p.m. General Counsel Panel
- Panelists Invited
3:45 p.m. Adjourn
Overnight Accommodations
- Start Date: Tuesday, February 20, 2024
- End Date: Saturday, February 24, 2024
- Last Day to Book: Tuesday, January 30, 2024
- Group Rate: $199 USD per night
Sponsorship Opportunities
75th Anniversary and IEL Leadership Award Reception and Dinner Sponsors - $7,500 each (14 Allowed)
February 22
River Oaks Country Club
Honoring Gretchen Watkins, President of Shell USA, Inc.
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 at the reception and dinner
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- Up to 5 additional guests at the reception and dinner
- One reserved table at the dinner, if desired,
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Conference Notepad Sponsor - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Name/logo on notepads distributed to all attendees
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Seat Covers - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Seat Covers with Company/Law Firm Logo provided by Sponsor placed on Conference chairs
- Recognition in all marketing, which will be sent to several thousand interested counsel and business leaders
- Company/firm logo prominently displayed in the Conference brochure, final program and Conference break slides
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the John Rogers Award Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Wi-Fi Sponsor - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Name/logo reflected in Wi-Fi access code
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference.
Lanyard Sponsor - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Name/logo on lanyards distributed to all attendees
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference.
Conference Materials Sponsor - $6,000 (exclusive)
- Single page company/firm advertisement showing through back of packet containing Conference related material
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Advisory Board Reception - $5,500 (exclusive)
February 21
Churrascos – Memorial City
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 at the reception
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- Up to 4 additional guests at the reception
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Charging Stations Sponsor - $5,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Name/logo displayed at charging stations
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference.
1st Day Morning Breakfast Sponsor - $5,000 (exclusive)
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 at the start of the program
- Recognition via signage at the breakfast
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
1st Day Morning Break Sponsor - $5,000 (exclusive)
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 immediately before or after the break
- Recognition via signage at the break
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
1st Day Afternoon Break Sponsor - $4,500 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 at the break, including from podium
- Recognition via signage at the break
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
2nd Day Morning Breakfast Sponsor - $4,500 (exclusive)
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 at the start of the program
- Recognition via signage at the breakfast
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
2nd Day Morning Break Sponsor - $4,500 (exclusive)
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 immediately before or after the break
- Recognition via signage at the break
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Conference Luncheon Sponsor - $3,500 each
February 22-23
- Recognition in all marketing material as sponsor of the Conference lunches
- 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 via signage at both Conference luncheons and orally at the second day luncheon
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Exhibitor - $3,000 each
February 22-23
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the 75th Anniversary and Awards Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
For more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Licia Maria (Lilly) Hogarth, CAIL Sponsorship Director, at 972.244.3424 or lhogarth@cailaw.org.
Other Information
Press Policy
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Visa Information
If you require a letter of invitation to obtain a visa for this conference, payment of the registration fee must first be made. If you apply and do not receive a visa, please send us a copy of the rejection letter from the consulate, and we will cancel your registration and issue a refund. Please email iel@cailaw.org for more details.
Nondiscriminatory Policy
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Privacy Policy
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