77th Annual Energy Law Conference
-
Houston, Texas, USA
Registrar: +1.972.244.3403
IEL: +1.972.244.3421
E-Mail: iel@cailaw.org
Overview
As the world’s long running energy law conference, the 77th 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
Kimberly Cunningham
Exxon Mobil Corporation
Spring, Texas
Louis “Louie” Layrisson
Baker Botts L.L.P.
Houston, Texas
IEL Distinguished Leadership in Energy Award Recipient
Liam Mallon
President (Ret.)
ExxonMobil Upstream Corporation
Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecturer
Gregory S. Mathews
Chevron U.S.A. Inc.
Houston, TX
Registration Options
Early registration pricing is available through February 9, 2026.
Registration includes the Conference, the Distinguished Leadership Award Reception and Dinner, meals and the course material provided online, which may be printed or saved by customer.
We will not be offering a live stream this year; however, the session will be recorded and made available for purchase through our On-Demand Learning Center at a later date.
- $745 - Non-Member Registration Fee (*Member dues begin at $650) (Regular Price: $795)
- $0 - IEL Advisory Board Member
- $555 - IEL Supporting or Sustaining Member Employee (Regular Price: $585)
- $555 - IEL Young Energy Professional Member (Regular Price: $585)
- $555 - Government Employee (Regular Price: $585)
- $150 - Full-time Law Student
- $150 - Full-time Law Professor
Schedule and Faculty
Thursday, February 26
8:45 a.m. - Welcome and Overview
9:00 a.m. - 2026 Energy Outlook (Non-CLE) (45 minutes)
- Speaker Invited
9:45 a.m. - Recent Developments in Energy Case Law (60 minutes)
This session will feature a review of important cases and other developments in energy law over the last year.
- Brooksie Bonvillain Boutet, Shipley Snell Montgomery LLP, Houston, TX
- Additional Speaker Invited
10:45 a.m. - BREAK
11:15 a.m. - The General Counsel Series: A Fireside Chat with R. Hewitt Pate, VP and GC, Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (45 minutes)
Keynote: R. Hewitt Pate, Vice President and General Counsel, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Houston, Texas
Interviewer: Interviewer Invited
12:00 p.m. - Networking Luncheon
Concurrent Sessions
Litigation & Dispute Resolution Module
Brian Q. Carmichael, Associate General Counsel, IGU & Trading, Litigation, Shell USA, Inc. Houston, TX
Meghan McElvy, O’Melveny & Myers LLP Houston, TX
1:30 p.m. – Onshore Litigation Trends: The Now and What’s Around the Corner (45 minutes)
Seasoned litigators and in-house counsel will be discussing from an operator perspective the pressing litigation issues impacting the energy industry based on their experience and jurisprudence. This panel will address current litigation trends, state regulatory intervention, and other litigation on the horizon – reflecting the push and pull of the energy industry on operators.
Moderator: Tina Q. Nguyen, Baker Botts L.L.P., Houston, TX
Panelists:
- Cole DeLancey, Assistant General Counsel, Coterra Energy Inc. Houston, TX
- Jackie M. Furlow, Beck Redden LLP, Houston, TX
- Nicole Singer, General Counsel, Apex Natural Gas, LLC, Houston, TX
2:15 p.m. – Things are Heating Up!: Panel Discussion on Climate Change Litigation Updates (45 minutes)
Moderator: Dawn Sestito, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists:
- Joshua D. Dick, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, San Francisco, CA
- Additional Panelists Invited
3:00 p.m. - BREAK
3:15 p.m. – Emerging Trends in Plaintiff-Side Energy Litigation and What’s Ahead (45 minutes)
Leading Texas trial attorneys will explore the evolving landscape of plaintiff-side energy litigation—from environmental and climate change claims to transaction disputes and strategic forum selection—and share insights on what lies ahead for trials in 2026.
- Collin J. Cox, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, Houston, TX
- Christopher D. Porter, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP, Houston, TX
4:00 p.m. - Project Disputes - Ongoing Challenges for Energy Infrastructure (45 minutes)
The presenters will cover a number of topics concerning litigation or arbitration of disputes challenge energy Infrastructure projects. Topics will include: NIMBY litigation, project cancellation litigation, i.e. Solar for All with the current administration and LNG export pause litigation under the Biden administration, traditional EPC litigation, counterparty credit/bankruptcy risk, (e.g., Zachry Holdings Inc. and Golden Pass LNG), the difficulty in applying the traditional EPC model to the modern renewable project, evolution of the accommodation doctrine in multi-user models, and energy-related challenges to data centers.
- Michael P. Lennon Jr., Mayer Brown LLP, Houston, TX
- Additional Speaker Invited
Transactional Module
Angie Wickert, Deputy General Counsel, Compliance Officer & Asst. Secretary, Helix Energy Solutions Group, Houston, TX
Justin T. Stolte, Latham & Watkins LLP, Houston, TX & New York, NY
1:30 p.m. – Expect the Unexpected: Bankruptcies and the Reversion of Decommissioning Liabilities (45 minutes)
Moderator: Moderator Invited
Panelists:
- Panelists Invited
2:15 p.m. – The Future of Dealmaking: AI Role in Transactions (45 minutes)
Moderator: Moderator Invited
Panelists:
- Panelists Invited
3:00 p.m. - BREAK
3:15 p.m. – Bridging Funding Gaps: The Use of Private Capital Investment Structures in Energy (45 minutes)
Moderator: Moderator Invited
Panelists:
- Panelists Invited
4:00 p.m. – Power Tailwinds: The In/Outs of Data Center Transactions (45 minutes)
- Speakers Invited
4:45 pm - Adjourn 1st Day
IEL Distinguished Leadership in Energy Award Reception and Dinner
Honoring
Liam M. Mallon
Retired President of ExxonMobil Upstream Company
and Vice President of Exxon Mobil Corporation
Interviewer
Richard (Rick) C. Vint
Assistant General Counsel, Upstream & Global Trading
Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, TX
6:15 p.m. - Reception
7:15 p.m. - Dinner and Awards Ceremony
Friday, February 27
Concurrent Sessions
Water Issues Module
Greg Beal, Counsel – Upstream, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, TX
9:00 a.m. – Ownership of Minerals Entrained in Produced Water (Post Cactus Water) (45 minutes)
- John A. “Jad” Davis, DGC Law, Midland, TX
9:45 a.m. – Produced Water – A Panel Discussion of Current Challenges, Solutions and Litigation (45 minutes)
Moderator: Greg Beal, Counsel – Upstream, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Spring, TX
Panelists:
- Heather Welles, O’Melveny & Myers LLP, Los Angeles, CA
- Additional Panelists Invited
10:30 a.m. - BREAK
Data Centers Module
Rebecca Kennedy, Principal Corporate Counsel, Microsoft, Washington, D.C
10:45 a.m. – Datacenter Development and Energy Pricing (45 minutes)
This panel will explore the intersection of Datacenter development and the impact on energy pricing. It will address rising system costs and who bears them.
- Speakers Invited
11:30 a.m. – Datacenter Regulatory Policy Trends - (45 minutes)
This session will explore trends in regulatory policy to address resource adequacy and large load interconnections. It will address what the role of state regulators compared to what the role of FERC in managing the interconnection of large loads.
- Speakers Invited
Regulatory Module
Kathleen Weir Bertolatus, Managing Counsel, Environmental & Regulatory, Phillips 66, Houston, TX
Malinda Morain, Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., Denver, CO
9:00 a.m. – Navigating the Legislative and Legal Landscapes of the Energy Dominance Agenda: The IRA, OBBBA, and Executive Branch Energy Initiatives (45 minutes)
This session brings clarity to the complex legal and regulatory frameworks shaped by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), regulations from the prior Administration, and Executive Branch policy initiatives—all of which are reshaping the future of federal onshore development, presenting the need to proactively manage legal and business risks. The panel will break down what these new frameworks mean for operators, investors, and stakeholders across the oil and gas value chain. After establishing a clear picture of the legislative and legal landscapes, they will provide a practical, solution focused dialog on advocacy and risk management strategies tailored to today’s business realities.
Attendees will gain actionable insight into:
- Strategies for navigating onshore leasing and permitting reform
- Impacts of changing royalty structures and methane fees
- Emerging considerations in commingling and production allocation
- Effective advocacy to protect your interests in the evolving legal landscape
- Melissa Simpson, President, Western Energy Alliance, Denver, CO
- Bret A. Sumner, Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., Denver, CO
9:45 a.m. – Regulatory State Update and Best Practices (45 minutes)
Panelists will share best practices for building strong relationships with regulators, engaging effectively in rulemaking, and managing reputational considerations.
Moderator: Rosario Hecht Domínguez, Holland & Hart LLP, Denver, CO
Panelists:
- Robert C. Mathes, Managing Counsel, Occidental Petroleum Corporation, Denver, CO
- Beth Ryan, Lead Counsel, New Mexico, ConocoPhillips, Midland, TX
10:30 a.m. - BREAK
10:45 a.m. – What does the EPA’s Recission of the Endangerment Finding Mean? (45 minutes)
- Maggie Olson, Senior Staff Counsel, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, ND
- Jeffrey H. Wood, Baker Botts L.L.P., Washington, D.C.
- Additional Speaker Invited
11:30 a.m. – Much Ado About Something: Navigating NEPA’s Course Correction(45 minutes)
This session explores NEPA best practices in light of recent CEQ rollbacks and lessons learned from the Seven County Infrastructure case.
Moderator: Malinda Morain, Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., Denver, CO
Panelists:
- Ann D. Navaro, Bracewell LLP, Washington, D.C.
- Additional Panelist Invited
12:15 p.m. - Luncheon
12:55 p.m. - IEL Legends Award Presentation
1:15 p.m. - Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecture, and Luncheon
- Gregory S. Mathews, Chevron U.S.A. Inc., Houston, TX
1:55 p.m. - BREAK
2:05 p.m. - TBD (45 minutes)
2:50 p.m. - Ethics Update: How Not to Get Sued and Other Tips for Maintaining an Ethical Practice
This ethics panel will include judicial and in-house perspectives on ethics, as well as those of outside counsel. Topics covered include all-important privilege issues, particularly with respect to identifying clients and non-clients; recent developments in AI ethics; and updates on conflicts issues.
- Allison Standish Miller, Steptoe LLP, Houston, TX
- Additional Panelists Invited
3:50 p.m. - ADJOURN
Hotel Information
The Westin Houston, Memorial City
945 Gessner Road
Houston, Texas 77024
- Start Date: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
- End Date: Sunday, March 01, 2026
- $205.00 USD per night
Last Day to Book: Tuesday, February 03, 2026
Sponsorship Opportunities
IEL Leadership Award Reception and Dinner Sponsors (Feb. 26, 2026) (14 Allowed) - $6,000 each
Houston Racquet Club
Honoring TBA
- 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, including the Awards Reception and Dinner
- Up to 5 additional guests at the reception and dinner
- One reserved table at the dinner (for the above eight individuals or others registered for conference), if desired
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Conference Notepad Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Seat Covers Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $6,000 (exclusive)
- Seat Covers with Company/Law Firm Logo provided by Sponsor placed on Conference chairs
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Wi-Fi Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- Name/logo reflected in Wi-Fi access code
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Lanyard Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Conference Materials Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $6,000 (exclusive) - SOLD
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Advisory Board Reception (February 25, 2026) (Limited to2) - $5,000
Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- Up to 4 additional guests at the Advisory Board Reception
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Charging Stations Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $5,000 (exclusive)
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
1st Day Morning Breakfast Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $5,000 (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 from podium at the start of the program
- Recognition via signage at the breakfast
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
1st Day Morning Break Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
1st Day Afternoon Break Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $5,000(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 from podium immediately before or after the break
- Recognition via signage at the break
- 2 complimentary registrants at the Conference, including the Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
2nd Day Morning Breakfast Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
2nd Day Morning Break Sponsor (Only 1 Allowed) - $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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Deans Lecture & IEL Legends Luncheon Sponsors (February 27, 2026) - $3,750 each
Lecture by Greg Mathews, Chevron
- 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 via signage and from podium at Deans of Oil and Gas Practice Lecture Luncheon
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
First Day Networking Luncheon Sponsors (February 26, 2026) (Limited to 6) - $3,250 each
- 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 via signage at first day networking luncheon
- 1 complimentary registrant at the Conference, including the Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity to display company/firm materials at the Conference
Exhibitor (February 26-27, 2026) (Non-Law Firms Only) - $3,000 each
- 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 Awards Reception and Dinner
- An opportunity 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.
