24th Annual Energy Litigation Conference
Houston, Texas, USA
Registrar: +1.972.244.3403
IEL: +1.972.244.3421
E-Mail: iel@cailaw.org
Overview
The 24th 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
Hicks Johnson PLLC
Houston, Texas
ExxonMobil Risk Management, Inc.
Spring, Texas
Lifetime Achievement in Energy Litigation Award Recepient
General Counsel, Global Litigation
Shell USA, Inc.
Houston, TX
Registration Options
Early registration pricing is available through October 22, 2025.
- $495 - Regular Registration Fee (Regular Price: $550.00)
- $425 - IEL Advisory Board Member (Regular Price: $460.00)
- $425 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee (Regular Price: $460.00)
- $425 - IEL Young Energy Professional Member (Regular Price: $460.00)
- $100 - Full-time Law Professor (Regular Price: $100.00)
- $50 - Law Student (Regular Price: $50.00)
Schedule and Faculty
7:45 a.m. - Registration
8:35 – 8:45 a.m. - Welcome, Overview and Introductions
8:45 – 9:30 a.m. - Recent Developments in Energy Law (45 min)
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 John P. Laborde Energy Law Center, Paul M. Hebert Law Center, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
9:30 – 10:15 a.m. - Evidentiary Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of AI-Generated Evidence (45 min)
As artificial intelligence tools become increasingly embedded in litigation courts and counsel are grappling with how to evaluate and admit machine-generated evidence. This session will explore the proposed Federal Rule of Evidence 707, which seeks to apply the Daubert standard to AI outputs, and examine the implications for litigators, particularly in complex energy disputes. Judge Rodriguez will discuss practical strategies for authenticating AI-generated materials, ethical considerations, and how to prepare for challenges to the admissibility of such evidence.
- Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio, Texas
10:15 – 10:45 a.m. - BREAK
10:45 – 11:30 a.m. - Time to Push Back: Knowing When to Go on the Offensive (45 min)
This session will explore strategic approaches to counteract legal and regulatory overreach that disrupts business operations and policy. There will be discussion on when and how to initiate litigation, build coalitions across industries, and engage in rulemaking and legislative processes. Examples will highlight interventions and coordinated efforts to challenge legal tactics.
- Robert Levy, Executive Counsel – Legal Policy, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas
11:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. - Uncertainty in Litigation: Navigating Legal Risk in a Shifting Energy Landscape (45 min)
This panel will explore how in-house counsel at major oil and gas companies are navigating the growing uncertainty in litigation. From evolving property rights and regulatory frameworks to ambiguous contract terms and global trade disruptions, the legal landscape is shifting rapidly. Panelists will discuss recent developments in pore space ownership, the impact of tariffs, and contractual ambiguities. The session will provide practical insights into how legal teams are managing risk, preparing for disputes, and adapting litigation strategies in a volatile environment.
Moderator: Logan E. Johnson, Hicks Johnson PLLC, Houston, Texas
Panelists:
- Ashley Hill, Senior Legal Counsel – Litigation and Employment, Woodside Energy, Houston, Texas
- Bryan Rohm, Deputy General Counsel - Litigation, Major Claims & Investigations, TotalEnergies, Houston, Texas
- Allison Thomison, Senior Legal Counsel, Equinor, Houston, Texas
12:15 – 1:30 p.m. - Lunch – Lifetime Achievement in Energy Litigation Award Presentation and Speech
Award Recipient
Kimberly R. Phillips
General Counsel, Global Litigation
Shell USA, Inc.
Houston, Texas
1:30 – 1:45 p.m. - BREAK
1:45 – 2:45 p.m. - Roads to Resolution: The Texas Business Court and Arbitration in Complex Commercial Disputes (60 min)
Join a dynamic discussion led by an experienced arbitration professional, featuring three sitting Texas Business Court judges alongside a seasoned litigator as they explore two prominent avenues for resolving complex commercial disputes: the Texas Business Court and arbitration. This insightful panel compares specialized expertise, efficiency, transparency, and strategic considerations to help businesses and counsel navigate their dispute-resolution options. Gain practical insights and actionable guidance to confidently select between these complementary paths to resolution.
Moderator: Yanett Quiroz, Vice President ICDR, American Arbitration Association, Houston, Texas
Panelists:
- Hon. Sofia Adrogué, Eleventh Business Court Division, Houston, Texas
- Hon. Grant Dorfman, Eleventh Business Court Division, Houston, Texas
- David W. Jones, Beck & Redden LLP, Houston, Texas
- Hon. William Whitehill, Texas Business Court First Division, Dallas, Texas
2:45 – 3:30 p.m. - CCS Updates and Trends (45 min)
This panel will focus on emerging issues in carbon capture and storage, with a focus on topics of interest to litigators. The discussion will include recent appellate decisions on pore space ownership and unitization, along with the questions left unanswered. The panel will also provide updates on regulatory changes for CCS, eminent domain challenges for CO2 pipelines, and jurisdictional disputes regarding regulation of CCS. Finally, given the complex regulatory environment surrounding CCS projects, the panel will discuss the roles that litigators can play in the process.
Moderator: Jonathon K. Hance, Bracewell LLP, Houston, Texas
Panelists:
- Dan Martin, Senior Legal Counsel, Shell USA, Inc., Houston, Texas
- Sarah P. Steward, Senior Counsel, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, Texas
3:30 – 3:45 p.m. - BREAK
3:45 – 4:30 p.m. - High-Stakes Justice: Understanding and Managing Nuclear Verdicts in the Energy Industry (45 min)
Verdicts exceeding $10 million—so-called “nuclear verdicts”—are no longer limited to personal injury or consumer product cases. The energy sector, with its high-dollar assets, complex operations, and public visibility, is increasingly at risk. This session will explore the factors driving these outsized awards, including evolving jury attitudes, plaintiff strategies, and social inflation. This session will share practical approaches for mitigating exposure, defending high-stakes cases, and positioning for favorable outcomes both in and out of court.
- Edward Casmere, Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP, Chicago, Illinois
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. - Guidelines and Guardrails: Adapting to Anomaly in Crisis Management (Ethics) (60 min)
Lawyers facing novel crisis situations have a variety of legal, business, moral, and ethical considerations to balance, all within an abbreviated time frame and amidst incomplete and often inaccurate information. This panel will discuss how to forge a path forward with careful attention to the shifting facts and applicable legal and ethical requirements.
- Lauren Brogdon, Haynes and Boone, LLP, Houston, Texas
- Jennifer Job, Senior Counsel, Operations / Litigation, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Beaumont, Texas
5:30 – 6:30 p.m. - NETWORKING RECEPTION
6:30 p.m. - ADJOURN
Hotel Information
Four Seasons Hotel Houston
1300 Lamar Street
Houston, Texas 77010
Book Your Room
- Go to www.fourseasons.com/houston/landing-pages/events/iel-energy-litigation-conference/
- Click on Check Rates
- Select dates - the Promo Code of 251103IEL will show when providing the rates for rooms
Cutoff is October 13.
MCLE Credit
Texas Course Number 174294490. This course has been approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of Texas Committee on MCLE in the amount of 6.5 credit hours, of which 1.0 credit hours will apply to ethics/professional responsibility credit.
IEL as registrar for the conference will directly apply for course accreditation in the following additional states: California, Colorado, Louisiana, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. Some of these states may not approve a program for credit hours before the program occurs. The program Approved credit hours will vary by jurisdiction and are subject to each jurisdiction’s approval and credit rounding rules.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Wi-Fi Sponsorship (Exclusive) - $6,000 - SOLD
- Name/logo reflected in Wi-Fi access code (must be at least 8 characters)
- 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
- 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/logo on lanyards distributed at Conference
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 3 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 material
- 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
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Breakfast Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,250 - SOLD
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 via signage at breakfast
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Morning Break Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,250 - SOLD
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 via signage at break
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Afternoon Break Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,250 - SOLD
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 via signage at break
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference
Conference Materials Sponsor (Exclusive) - $4,250 - SOLD
- Single page company/firm advertisement showing through back of packet containing Conference related material
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 3 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conference
Charging Station (Exclusive) - $3,750 - SOLD
- Signage recognizing Sponsor at charging stations
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the conferences
Hosted Luncheon and Presentation of the IEL Outstanding Achievement in Energy Litigation Award - $3,250
Honoring
TBD
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
Networking Reception - $2,750 each
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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 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) - $2,750 each
- Recognition in all marketing material
- 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
Press Policy
All IEL conferences are held under the Chatham House Rule. Participants, including journalists, are free to use any information received, but comments may not be attributed to any speaker identifi ed by name or affiliation.
Photo/Audio/Video Release
Registration for or attendance at this event acknowledges consent to be recorded or photographed. We reserve the right to use any photograph/video taken at our events, without the expressed written permission of those included within the photograph/video. We may use the photograph/video in publications or other media material produced, used or contracted including but not limited to: brochures, invitations, books, newspapers, magazines, television, websites, annual reports, newsletters, etc. To ensure the privacy of individuals, images will not be identified using full names or personal identifying information without written approval from the photographed subject
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
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.
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.
