Amy Stephens, Texas Tech $2000 Mary Sue Schulberg Scholarship + $1000 General Fund Scholarship

I initially became interested in natural resource law by working as a contract landman whereby I researched both surface and mineral owners for various solar companies looking to install solar farms in West Texas. After doing that for a while, as well as obtaining my real estate license and appraiser trainee license, I felt that my position in the energy industry could be elevated by obtaining a JD. The summer between my 1L and 2L years I interned for a land resource company specifically focused on oil and gas and learned a great deal about the industry. I enjoyed that summer internship so much that it solidified that I wanted to specialize in energy law, so I took the steps to officially make my JD concentration “Law & Science: Energy Law.”

This specialization requires that you make at least a B in all the energy law classes you attempt. While that did add extra pressure, I knew I would be able to maintain that standard because I am passionate about energy law and truly enjoy learning the material.

During the Fall 2022 semester I received an A in Oil & Gas Law I, and an A in Wind & Solar Law. I also received the Distinction Award for Academic Achievement in Wind & Solar Law for receiving the second highest grade in the class of about 75 people. I will be completing a 2023 Maymester in Seville, Spain where I hope to expand my knowledge of international law.

While women are not typically what comes to mind when you think of a “landman,” my experience in that profession was a catalyst to what I believe is a bright future in energy law spanning from oil and gas to renewables. It is my hope to be a pioneering member of the legal community that establishes regulations when it comes to wind and solar law that follows in the footsteps of our country’s well-established oil and gas laws.