Prior to rejoining private practice, Kirsten served as in-house counsel for almost a decade, most recently focusing on the commodities operations of a global investment bank. As a result, Kirsten approaches her practice and clients with a fresh and real perspective on what it means to serve in an in-house legal role alongside the front lines of the business.

Kirsten has developed a truly unique skill set and strong reputation working on commodity monetization/intermediation structures, particularly involving hydrocarbons and refineries. Kirsten manages a team that helps clients utilize such alternative financing arrangements and her team has successfully completed several landmark transactions in recent years in Canada and the United States. In addition to advising on the alternative financing associated with these transactions, she provides counsel on a host of refinery related items, including supply and offtake arrangements, marketing and consulting agreements, hedging arrangements, various state and federal regulatory and licensing matters, FTZ-related components and insurance negotiations. Kirsten has successfully lead deal teams for refinery transactions and intermediation structures in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Germany.

In her role covering physical trading, Kirsten works on all aspects of commercial matters involving the midstream and downstream spaces. For example, Kirsten works on purchase and sale contracts, spot/term supply and offtake arrangements, exchange transactions, lifting agreements, storage and terminalling agreements, transport agreements for pipeline, vessel, barge, truck and rail, import and export documentation and compliance, licensing and regulatory authorizations, insurance negotiation work, force majeure and other demurrage -related events, credit and intermediation documentation (including letters of credit, payment undertakings and netting arrangements) and work involving general terms and conditions. Kirsten applies a practical approach in working with clients to set up first-time marketing and trading functions and the internal control mechanics around same.