"Feedback from attendees of prior years' events notes that our annual Energy & Commodities Conference is one of the most concisely presented and richly informative events in the industry," said Houston partner and conference co-chair Craig R. Enochs, who serves as co-vice chair of the firm's global Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group.
Reed Smith panelists will join senior in-house counsel from global energy companies, major market and commodities banks, and other leading businesses serving the energy sector. Companies represented among this year’s guest speakers include ConnectGEN, Conoco, Deloitte, Hess, ICBC Standard, Pattern Energy, Plains All American Pipeline, and Total.
"Our goal is to provide an insider's view on key and current issues facing energy counsel and industry decision-makers," said Energy & Natural Resources partner and conference co-chair Stefanie Burt. "This year’s agenda is particularly focused on the laws, regulations, cases and global challenges that are transforming the industry."
The fifth annual conference’s panel presentations will focus on the following topics and issues:
Panel 1: Federal and state energy regulatory roundup
Former FERC commissioner Colette D. Honorable and her Reed Smith FERC team co-chair, Regina Y. Speed-Bost, will examine FERC’s current agenda and consider practical considerations for businesses as the regulatory framework continues to evolve. The panel will also address recent developments in natural gas, enforcement trends and pipeline certificate challenges, among other topics.
Panel 2: Current and anticipated litigation trends and risks for the oil and gas industry
Litigation partner Julie A. Hardin joins energy partners Stefanie Burt and Lucas Liben, along with inside counsel from Conoco and Total Energy, for a look at the cases and court decisions that are re-shaping the oil & gas industry. The panelists will review trends that have emerged in recent months, and what the future may hold for upstream, midstream and downstream litigation and arbitration developments and risks.
Panel 3: Inventory monetization: everything you need to know but were/are afraid to ask about alternative finance structures
Partner Kirsten Polyansky, who is well-known for leading complex commodity transactions, joins guests from ICBC Standard Bank and Republic Square for a comprehensive review of inventory monetization. The panel will examine many different perspectives: from bank, private equity, and refineries, to trading counterparty, third-party service providers, and even traditional lenders, as well as how inventory monetization can impact the entire trading stream.
Panel 4: Balancing the practical and reputational aspects of responding to industrial accidents and losses
Workplace safety partner Benjamin H. Patton joins insurance recovery partners John D. Shugrue and Kevin B. Dreher, plus inside counsel from Hess and Plains All American Pipeline, for an overview of the interconnected legal considerations around crisis management and catastrophic loss. The panel will also examine approaches to responding to investigations and securities litigation, and how insurance policies can be crafted to offer maximum protection.
Panel 5: Development and finance issues in renewable energy
This panel, with partner Brendan M. McNallen and representatives of ConnectGEN and Pattern Energy Group, will cover renewable energy financing and development, including strategies for commonly negotiated contractual provisions.
Panel 6: Blockchain in energy
FinTech and commodities partner Christine Parker will be joined by counsel from Deloitte for a breakdown of the nuts and bolts of blockchain, including use cases, cryptocurrencies, regulatory and compliance issues. The panelists will also look at specific applications in the energy industry, such as energy trading, tokenization of assets, derivative transactions, payment and commercial applications, and supply chain logistics.
Additionally, the keynote address will be delivered by Robert J. Johnston, Managing Director of Global Energy and Natural Resources & Executive Advisor of the Eurasia Group. Johnston will discuss the geopolitical and market-based drivers of risk and opportunity in a global energy sector transitioning toward decarbonization.
For more information about Reed Smith’s global commodities offering, visit reedsmith.com.
For inquiries about Reed Smith’s annual Energy & Commodities conference, please contact Abbey Quattlebaum. Please note that space is limited.
