EMLF Member Spotlight: Sharon Flanery

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Current association: Steptoe & Johnson PLLC (2004–present)
Past associations:
Columbia Natural Resources (2001–2003)
Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. (1998–2001) CONSOL Energy Inc. (1993–1998)
Thorp Reed & Armstrong (1991–1993)
Consultant (1990–1991)
CNG Development (1987–1990)
Saudi Aramco (1983–1985)
Columbia Gas Transmission Corp. (1978–1982)
Law School: Duquesne University
Undergraduate: West Virginia University 
Spouse: Bill
Children: Cara, age 20 (Junior in College)
Home: Pinch, West Virginia
Favorite movie: Bohemian Rhapsody
Favorite Restaurant in Charleston: Soho’s, especially the outdoor Beer Garden
EMLF Involvement: President of EMLF from 2013–2014, currently a member of EMLF’s Board of Trustees, a speaker and author for multiple past EMLF programs, and 2017 recipient of EMLF’s John L. McClaugherty Award for Dedication and Service.

EMLF Member Spotlight: Kara Mundy

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Law School: The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law
Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Spouse: Christopher
Children: Felicity (4) Wallace (3)
Current home town: Columbus, Ohio
Favorite bar or restaurant in current home city?  Why?: I really like Hudson 29 in Upper Arlington, the suburb of Columbus in which we live.  It’s delicious, consistent, and within walking distance of our home – which is always a plus for me!
EMLF Involvement: I have been on several committees with EMLF, presented at EMLF conferences, and was appointed to the Board of Trustees for 2021.  Most recently, I presented at EMLF’s Fall Symposium on antitrust issues associated with common employment practices in the energy sector.

Popular Petrochemicals Update Goes Virtual

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EMLF is hosting its much anticipated “Petrochemicals Update” as a four-part series that explores both business and legal topics.
The subjects covered by the webinar include the following:

• petrochemicals projects in Appalachia (CLE credit not available)
• an overview of economic incentives for petrochemical projects
• a guide to best practices for safety and permitting, and
• a panel discussion of corporate legal issues, including environmental, social, and governance issues.                                                                                                                                       
  

EMLF Fall Symposium a Success 

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The Fall Symposium (formerly the Kentucky Mineral Law Conference) was held October 12th through 14th.   

“We were excited to welcome just over one hundred attendees to Lexington, Kentucky, and happy to be able to hold the conference in person with proper covid protocols,” said EMLF Executive Director, Anna Girard Fletcher.   

The program was chaired by Natalie Jefferis of Peacock Keller, and sponsored by Babst Calland, Buchanan Ingersoll Rooney, Dinsmore, Frost Brown Todd, Jackson Kelly, K&L Gates, McKool Smith, Peacock Keller, PennStuart, Reed Smith, Spilman, Thomas & Battle, Steptoe & Johnson, Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, and Wyatt Tarrant & Combs.

EMLF Members Serve on 2021 Careers in Energy Panels

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After putting out a call for volunteers in September, Energy & Mineral Law Foundation was able to fill slots for four panels for the 2021 Careers in Energy program in October and November. 

To accommodate COVID-19 guidelines, Careers in Energy is being held virtually. Moderator is EMLF Executive Director Anna Girard Fletcher. 

Careers in Energy is a free program for students at member law schools who participate in dialogue with energy industry lawyers. The attorneys discuss their own education, career paths, day-to-day roles, and career potential.  

It’s also an opportunity for students to hear about EMLF academic and travel scholarship opportunities.  

Past President Natalie Jefferis says the concept of Careers in Energy grew from a strategic planning meeting, during which she discussed the difficulty in recruiting law students to work in the energy industry, citing firms with large energy departments filled with senior team members and few associates.  

“It was the early 2000’s, and energy work was a bit slow but there were still deals going on, new environmental laws being passed and as always labor issues,” Jefferis said. “We needed to fill the knowledge gap and make sure the next generation of lawyers were prepared to serve the industry. I’d like to think Careers in Energy (and the Marcellus Boom) helped us achieve our goal.” 

Read about each of panelists in the 2021 Career in Energy sessions on October 18, 25, & 28 and November 2 here. Email anna@emlf.org to express interest in participating in next year’s panels.