“Our Energy & Commodities Conference is developed with the participation of the industry, specifically to address the changing landscape, and the opportunities and challenges ahead,” said Houston-based partner Craig Enochs, who serves as co-vice chair of Reed Smith’s global Energy & Natural Resources Industry Group and co-chair of the conference.
Industry guest panelists at the 2018 event include legal representatives from Bank of America, Chevron, Exterran, McDermott International, Noble Energy, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), RBN Energy, Shell, and Swytch.
Delivering this year’s keynote speech is Frank J. Macchiarola, vice president of Downstream and Industry Operations at the American Petroleum Institute (API).
“Our Energy & Commodities conference is uniquely geared to what is on our clients’ minds,” said Houston partner and conference co-chair Paul Turner. “By bringing together the experience of our industry guest speakers with the knowledge of key partners across our global platform, we provide a concise, comprehensive, single-day educational program that reflects their concerns and goals in an ever-changing world.”
The 2018 conference includes panel presentations on the following topics essential to today’s industry:
Navigating regulatory potholes, led by Washington, D.C.-based partners Colette D. Honorable, a former Federal Energy and Regulatory Commission (FERC) Commissioner, and Regina Y. Speed-Bost, who together co-lead Reed Smith’s FERC team. They are joined by Kelly Funderburk, managing director/ associate general counsel and lead U.S. commodities counsel for Bank of America Merrill Lynch Commodities. Additionally, Washington partner Peter Y. Malyshev presents on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
Front-end considerations in large capital project structuring and risk management, with international partners Tarek Abdalla from Pittsburgh and Todd Culwell from Houston, and industry guest Shane Willoughby, senior director for Legal and Compliance – North, Central and South America at McDermott International.
Current litigation trends and issues, with Pittsburgh partner Justin Werner, Houston counsel Stacy Williams, and guest Stephan Selinidis, senior counsel with Exterran Corporation.
Preventing and responding to major industrial incidents in energy, with Houston Environmental, Health and Safety partner Ben Patton, who is joined by two industry guests: Julie Stanger, senior counsel for Chevron Upstream & Gas’ Litigation Management Unit, and Mary McDaniel, regional director for PHMSA.
Projects – the M&A and EPC intersection, including build-transfer agreements, a mock negotiation between San Francisco energy partners Don Ousterhout and Brendan McNallen, moderated by San Francisco renewable energy partner Ed Rogan.
State of the hydrocarbon midstream business – challenges and opportunities, with Houston partners Peggy Heeg and Gary Johnson, Pittsburgh partner Dwight Howes, and industry guest Rick Smead of RBN Energy.
Navigating international sanctions, with London and Washington, D.C., partner Leigh T. Hansson, who leads the firm’s Trade & National Security team, and London partner Brett Hillis.
Hot topics in downstream energy transactions, with Houston partner Paul Turner, Washington, D.C., counsel Edwin Nazario, and industry guest Deonne Cunningham, counsel for Noble Energy.
Successful strategies for dealing with claims and disputes in international energy infrastructure projects, with London partner Vince Rowan and Tysons partner Michael S. Dingman, who co-chair the firm's Construction & Engineering Team. They are joined by Middle East construction partner Shourav Lahiri, who recently joined the firm’s Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Hong Kong and Singapore offices, as well as guest Roger Peters, a mediator, arbitrator & DRB member construction neutral.
Blockchain opportunities in the energy industry, with London partner Brett Hillis and New York counsel Kari Larsen, who are joined by Evan Caron, cofounder and managing director from Swytch, a blockchain-based platform that tracks and verifies the impact of sustainability efforts and actions on the worldwide level of carbon dioxide emissions.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Our belief is that by delivering smarter and more creative legal services, we will not only enrich our clients’ experiences with us, but also support them in achieving their business goals.
Our long-standing relationships, international outlook, and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for the speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
