Registration is now available for the 35th Annual Institute, June 1-3, 2014 at the historic Greenbrier resort in West Virginia. Go to the EMLF home page at and select the Annual Institute link to register. From that location you can also make your hotel reservation at the Greenbrier, read about the Greenbrier, and view the complete program brochure. Special room rates are available, but be sure to ask for the EMLF block and make your reservations by April 17 in order to get the reduced rate.
The Annual Institute begins with a reception and dinner on Sunday evening, with invited guest speaker Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. The John L. McClaugherty Award, recognizing an EMLF member who has made outstanding contributions to the EMLF, the energy industry and the energy bar, will be presented.
The educational program begins Monday morning with a keynote address given by attorney Juan Carlos Machorro of the Santamarina y Steta SC law firm in Mexico City, and Commissioner Guillermo Zuniga Martinez of the Regulatory Commission of Energy, Mexico City, explaining the landmark reforms taking place in Mexico’s oil and gas industry which will allow foreign investment and participation.
The two-day program provides 855 minutes of Continuing Legal Education – that’s 14.25 CLE hours in 60-minute states and 17.1 hours in 50-minute states – including 1 hour of ethics. We’ve put together a very informative program with 37 speakers covering a myriad of topics to keep you up to date on energy issues. On Monday there is a hosted luncheon with guest speakers John Sullivan and Cleve Glenn of K&L Gates talking about seismic events – earthquakes – and the possible link to injection wells and hydrofracturing.
The Program Chair is David Morrison, Steptoe & Johnson, Bridgeport, WV; Joe Tarantelli, Oil & Gas Chair, Chesapeake Energy Corp., Oklahoma City, OK; and Eric Waller, Coal Chair, Patriot Coal Services, Charleston, WV. Kurt Krieger is Midstream Chair, Steptoe & Johnson, Charleston, WV, heading up a new category of topics that address infrastructure issues related to shale development.
Topics for this program were generated at eleven (11) Regional Planning Meetings held throughout the EMLF service area in January and February. It took a full page of the brochure to thank everyone who participated, so we hope you will plan to attend and enjoy all the topics on the agenda. Many thanks to everyone who participated in this planning effort, and to the following people for chairing a Regional Planning Meeting: Laura Beverage, Jackson Kelly, Denver; Wyatt Hogan, Natural Resource Partners, Houston; Erin Magee, Jackson Kelly, Charleston, WV; Timothy Miller, Robinson & McElwee, Charleston, WV; Kirsten Nathanson, Crowell & Moring, Washington, DC; Barry Osborne, Range Resources, Canonsburg, PA; Brandon Renner, Jackson Kelly, Evansville, IN; John Rhine, Rhine Ernest, Evansville, IN; Brian Wells, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, Lexington, KY; Kevin West, Steptoe & Johnson, Columbus, OH; and Bill Williams, Krugliak Wilkins Griffiths & Dougherty Co., Canton, OH.
The John L. McClaugherty Award
Ten years ago the first McClaugherty Award was given to Neal Pierce at the Foundation’s 25th Annual Institute at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia. The award was established to recognize the late John McClaugherty’s contribution as past president of the EMLF, and his continuing support through speaking, writing, chairing the Endowment fund drive, and remaining involved with the EMLF until his death. John was not just generous to the Foundation. He recognized the value of philanthropy and championed many worthy causes, including the Charleston, West Virginia, Symphony. He was a mentor to many young lawyers, and never failed to encourage their participation in the Energy & Mineral Law Foundation. When John died unexpectedly, the Foundation chose to establish this award in his memory.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2014 Award, by sending a letter or email to Sharon Daniels at sharon@emlf.org. The prior recipients of the McClaugherty Award comprise the selection committee, and the award will be announced at the June 1 dinner at the Greenbrier. A crystal vase is presented to commemorate the award.