ENERGY LAW PROGRAM
GIANTS
IN THE FIELD
The Energy Law Program at Texas Tech University School of Law is built on a tradition of excellence.
The Energy Law Program was founded in 1969 by renowned Professor Richard W. Hemingway, author of several seminal texts on oil-and-gas law and a pioneer in teaching energy law. Hemingway served as the Texas editor of The American Oil and Gas Reporter and authored The Law of Oil and Gas.
Professor Owen Anderson is now a Professor and Distinguished Oil and Gas Scholar for the KBH Energy Center for Business, Law and Policy. He is also the Eugene Kuntz Chair Emeritus and the George Lynn Cross Research Professor Emeritus at the University of Oklahoma College of Law. He was instrumental in shaping our Energy Law Program as the Jack F. Maddox Professor of Law from 1988 to 1992. Professor Anderson is co-author of International Petroleum Transactions, Hemingway Oil and Gas Law and Taxation, and Cases and Materials on Oil & Gas Law.
Following in Professor Hemingway’s footsteps and serving with Professor Anderson during his brief tenure was Professor Bruce M. Kramer, co-author of several important books that have become the definitive references for energy lawyers: The Law of Pooling and Unitization, The Law of Oil and Gas: Cases and Materials, and Williams & Meyers, Oil and Gas Law (since 1996). Professor Kramer taught at Texas Tech University School of Law from 1974 to 2007, continues to hold the title of Maddox Professor of Law Emeritus and has been Of Counsel to McGinnis Lochridge since 2008.
Professor William Keffer joined the Law School faculty in 2014, after thirty years of practice in the oil-and-gas business with ARCO, Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP (n/k/a Foley & Lardner LLP), and his own office in the specialty practice of oilfield-pollution litigation, as well as having served two terms in the Texas legislature. Appointed in 2012, he also serves as a member of the Texas delegation to the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Professor Keffer’s emphasis on practice and increasing students’ awareness of, and exposure to, the oil-and-gas industry has greatly contributed to the growth and development of the Energy Law Program at the Law School. Our objective is to make Texas Tech the premier law school in this area of practice.
EXPERT FACULTY
Stephen Black, J.D., LL.M. Professor of Law
Courses: Transactional Practice, Energy Law
Principal shareholder in a boutique tax firm and represented individuals and businesses before the Internal Revenue Service and state tax agencies
Cited in Forbes and published in the Washburn Law Review, the Seattle University Law Review, the Akron Law Review, and the Georgia State University Law Review
Arthur D’Andrea, J.D.
Adjunct Professor of Law; Former Chair, Texas Public Utility Commission
Course: Electricity Law
Extensive experience with utility regulation, ERCOT wholesale market rules, ERCOT interconnection procedures, and agency rulemaking and contracting prohibitions
Served as Assistant General Counsel for the Office of the Governor and as an Assistant Solicitor General for the State of Texas
Richard Davis, J.D.
Adjunct Professor of Law
Course: Energy Transactions
Experienced Midland, Texasbased practitioner with 45 years practice in fossil and renewable energy
Served as in house general counsel for wind and solar energy developer with focus on renewable energy transactions and litigation in multiple states
Amy Hardberger, M.S., J.D. '05
George W. McCleskey Professor of Water Law; Director, Center for Water Law and Policy
Courses: Property, Water Law, Land Use Planning, International Water Law, Environmental Law Led partnerships with cities and interfaced with Texas state agencies on municipal water conservation policies, energywater nexus and sustainable water planning, and co-created and authored a blog on Texas water policy
Professionally Registered
Geoscientist in the State of Texas Research of interest in the nexus of energy and water, the human right to water, and Texas groundwater law.
William Hornberger, J.D.
Adjunct Professor of Law; Partner, Jackson Walker
Course: Energy Tax
Represented taxpayers on tax controversy matters in IRS administrative appeals and before the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Court, the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, the Courts of Appeals for the Fifth and Eleventh Circuits, and the U.S. Court of International Trade
Experience with structuring oil-and-gas limited partnerships, energy-related acquisitions, including oil-and-gas interests (all types) and pipelines, international oil- and-gas operations, oil- andgas private-equity funds; and handling production-payment transactions, tax planning for intangible drilling costs, and likekind exchanges of oil-and- gas properties
William R. Keffer, J.D. Professor of Practice; Director, Energy Law Programs; Janet Scivally and David Copeland Endowed Professor of Energy Law
Courses: Oil & Gas Law I and II, Legislative Process, Oil & Gas Lease Negotiation
Experienced Dallas-based practitioner; served as in-house litigation-management counsel for environmental safety and health at ARCO Oil and Gas Company; and focused exclusively on oilfieldpollution litigation for Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP (n/k/a Foley & Lardner LLP) in Dallas
Served in the Texas legislature from 2003–2007 as state representative from District 107 Serves on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission and as a neutral for the American Arbitration Association
Michael Ma
Adjunct Professor of Law; Founding Member, and Equity Partner, Baker | Moran
Course: Eminent Domain in Texas
Specializes in eminent domain litigation, handling all aspects of land acquisitions from negotiations to condemnation Extensive experience managing power line project acquisitions, condemnations, and navigating the regulatory process for project approval
Jorge A. Ramírez, J.D.
Walter and Anne Huffman Professor of Law
Courses: Admiralty and Maritime Law, Commercial Law, Human Rights, International Business Transactions, and Public International Law Participating Editor of the Baltic Journal of Law & Politics (Vytautas Magnus University in Kaunas, Lithuania)
Experienced international lecturer, having taught dozens of law courses and seminars in Bolivia, China, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Lithuania, and Mexico
Don R. Richards, J.D. '84
Adjunct Professor of Law; Partner, Richards, Elder & Frost PLLC
Courses: Texas Administrative Practice, Telecommunication Law and Policy
Board Certified in Administrative Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization
Represents more than 40 local exchange telephone companies and electric utility cooperatives before the Texas legislature and the Public Utility Commission of Texas
Served as general counsel to the National Telecommunications Association, the Texas Statewide Telephone Cooperative, Inc., and the Texas Exchange Carrier Association, and is past chairman of the Public Utility Section of the State Bar of Texas
Gary R. Terrell, J.D. '77
Adjunct Professor of Law; Partner, Key, Terrell & Seger, LLP (Retired)
Course: Texas Land Titles
Practiced real-estate law, corporate law, probate law, commercial law, and commercial litigation with Key, Terrell & Seger, LLP in Lubbock Former advisory board member for Texas Tech University’s Department of Natural Resources Management
Roderick E. Wetsel
Adjunct Professor of Law; Partner, Wetsel & Lederle, LLP
Courses: Wind & Solar Law, Texas Mineral Titles
Board Certified in Oil, Gas and Mineral Law
Co-Author – Wind & Solar Law (LexisNexis 2021); Texas Business & Commercial Fundamentals of Wind Leasing Transactions (LexisNexis Matthew Bender 2015) Serves on the Texas Title Standards Joint Editorial Board of the State Bar of Texas
Ty J. Wood, J.D. '06
Adjunct Professor of Law; Owner, Ty J. Wood Attorney at Law, PLLC
Course: Oil & Gas Lease
Negotiation
Represents parties in real estate, oil-and-gas and renewable-energy transactions
Served two terms as Mitchell County Attorney
STRONG CURRICULUM
Texas Tech Law is leading the way in energy education. The Energy Law curriculum covers essential aspects of energy law, including regulatory frameworks, industry practices, and new developments in the energy sector. Students receive expert instruction and can specialize through a concentration, setting the stage for a successful career in this fast-moving industry.
ADVANCED COURSES
An impressive number of energy law courses are being offered and taught by industry-leading experts in the field.
Oil & Gas Law I – Bill Keffer
Oil & Gas Law II – Bill Keffer
Oil & Gas Lease Negotiation – Ty Wood & Bill Keffer
Water Law – Amy Hardberger
Wind & Solar Law – Rod Wetsel
Texas Mineral Titles – Rod Wetsel
Texas Land Titles – Gary Terrell
Texas Administrative Practice – Don Richards
Energy Law – Stephen Black
Energy Transactions – Richard Davis
Energy Tax – Willie Hornberger
Electricity Law – Arthur D’Andrea
Eminent Domain in Texas – Michael Ma
Environmental Law – Amy Hardberger
Admiralty Law – Jorge Ramírez
ENERGY LAW CONCENTRATION
The Energy Law Concentration is designed for law students passionate about energy law, covering topics such as oil and gas, wind, and solar.
To complete the Energy Law Concentration, students must fulfill the following requirements:
1. Complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in energy-specific courses.
2. Write a 6,000-word scholarly paper on energy law.
3. Attend five public events on energy-related topics, submitting a 500-word reflection for each event.
This specialized curriculum and concentration are designed to cultivate expertise and excellence.
CLASSROOM BEYOND THE
Texas Tech Law provides practical, real-world experiences to prepare future leaders in energy law. These experiences complement rigorous classroom instruction and ensure that graduates are well-equipped for success in the energy sector, whether they pursue opportunities with a law firm, energy company, or other legal organization.
ENERGY LAW LECTURE SERIES
Every year, six prominent speakers bring their expertise to the Law School, delivering policy-focused talks on current topics of interest. These lectures are approved for Texas CLE credit, streamed live, and accessible to the public. The lecture series is designed to ensure that students and graduates are at the forefront of industry developments.
Here are some of the guest speakers we have hosted:
• Robert Bryce, Author, lecturer; producer of Juice: How Electricity Explains the World
• Cody Campbell, CEO, Double Eagle
• Wayne Christian, Commissioner, Texas Railroad Commission
• Kirk Edwards, President and CEO, Latigo Petroleum
• Alex Epstein, Author of The Moral Case for Fossil Fuels
• Allen Gilmer, Chairman, Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association (TIPRO) and President, Drillinginfo
• Russell Gold, Wall Street Journal; author of The Boom
• Corey Goulet, President, Trans-Canada/Keystone XL Pipeline
• Joey Hall, Executive Vice President of Operations, Pioneer Natural Resources
• Glenn Hegar, Texas State Comptroller
• Anne Idsal, Regional Administrator, EPA Region 6
• Jason Isaac, Director of Life: Powered, Texas Public Policy Foundation
• Phil Johnson '75, Texas Supreme Court (retired)
• Ken McQueen, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy and Environment
• Jason Modglin, President, Texas Alliance of Energy Producers
• Billy Murphy, CEO, University Lands
• Dana Newsome, Chairman, Panhandle Producers and Royalty Owners Association (PPROA)
• Carlos Ortiz, Ministry of Energy – Government of Mexico
• Jesse Pierce, Partner, Pierce, O’Neill
• Kathleen Sgamma, President, Western Energy Alliance
• Barry Smitherman, Chairman, Texas Geothermal Alliance
• Todd Staples, President, Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA)
• Scott Tinker, Director, Bureau of Economic Geology (University of Texas)
• John Walker, CEO, EnerVest
NUTS & BOLTS SESSIONS
These sessions are designed to bridge theory with practice, providing an incredible opportunity for students to gain valuable insights into the practical applications of energy law. Each year, six experienced energy practitioners are invited to share their expertise on crucial topics such as title examination, oil and gas litigation, acquisitions and divestitures, oil and gas lease negotiation, exploration and production issues, and surface owner challenges. These in-person sessions offer Texas Tech law students a smallgroup setting to learn from industry experts and enhance their understanding of energy law.
Here are some of the guest speakers we have hosted:
• Chris Boyer (Crenshaw, Dupree & Milam)
• Greg Curry '89 (Thompson & Knight)
• Brandon Durrett '09 (Dykema)
• Demetri Economou (Kane, Russell)
• Caleb Fielder (Riddle & Butts)
• Jonathan Grammer (Grammer Land and Exploration)
• Stephanie Hall '97 (Valero)
• Amanda Hanks '08 (Chevron)
• John Hays (Hays Law Firm)
• John Holden (Jackson, Walker)
• Scott Kidwell '92 (Concho Resources)
• Jeff King '87 (K&L Gates)
• Kiersten Kita '05 (HF Sinclair)
• Alex Kuiper (Kuiper Law Firm)
• Wes Lloyd '05 (Freeman, Mills)
• Cottie Miles '97 (Martin & Drought)
• Jon Platt '09 (Baker, Botts)
• Stephen Robertson '07 (Permian Basin
Petroleum Association)
• Brian Sullivan (McElroy Sullivan & Miller)
• Barry Thomas '88 (Pioneer Natural Resources)
• Lauren Valastro '12 (Kelley, Drye)
• Tom Zabel (Zabel Freeman)
SATURDAY MORNING SITE VISIT
Students take an exclusive tour of a local oil and gas facility and gain hands-on experience with field equipment and operations, providing a deeper understanding of the industry’s inner workings in just one day.
MIDLAND FIELD TRIP
An exciting field trip to Midland provides students with valuable insights into the oil and gas industry, energy law practice, and the Midland-Odessa legal community and business market.
WIND FARM/SOLAR FARM FIELD TRIP
During a wind farm and solar farm tour, students examine wind turbines and solar panels up close and learn about how companies manage these operations.
MINERAL TITLES FIELD TRIP
Students gain real-world insights and valuable knowledge when they visit an area title practice and abstract office and inspect property-deed records in an area courthouse.
ENERGY LAW INTEREST GROUP
One of the largest student-run organizations at Texas Tech Law, students can participate in various energy-law related events and activities throughout the year and learn about exclusive opportunities that are related to the energy-law practice.
The Journal of the Energy Law Practitioner (JELP) was established in 2022 as a student-managed publication at Texas Tech University School of Law. It is released online twice per year. Visit the journal’s website here: https:/ttujelp.org/
JELP publishes influential energy-related articles written by experienced scholars, practicing attorneys, and emerging scholars and attorneys in the field. The journal aims to advance discussions and analyses of current issues in energy law and enhance the Law School’s energy-law program.
In addition to journal issues, the JELP website features links to other Texas Tech energy and industry websites and a library of previous guest speakers in the Energy Law Lecture Series. Each session offers one hour of CLE credit.
The Annual Energy Law Symposium, hosted every Fall by JELP, brings together legal scholars, practitioners, and industry leaders to explore the ever-changing relationship between law, technology, and energy policy. The symposium can be viewed on the JELP website for CLE credit.
ADVISORY BOARD
William R. Keffer Faculty Advisor
Craig N. Adams
Matador Resources (Retired)
Michael D. Cuda K&L Gates LLP
Curtis N. Leonard ICA Energy, Inc.
M.C. Cottingham “Cottie” Miles Martin & Drought, P.C.
Jonathan B. Platt Baker Botts LLP
Todd W. Spake Kelly, Hart & Hallman LLP
ON-DEMAND LEARNING
Texas Tech University’s Office of Continuing & Professional Education is now offering two comprehensive online Oil & Gas Law courses, designed to provide in-depth knowledge and expertise in this specialized field.
https://www.depts.ttu.edu/continuingeducation/
Register today:
The Law School’s Oil & Gas Law I and Oil & Gas Law II courses are now available online, making them accessible to a broader audience. These courses are ideal for those who missed the opportunity to study oil and gas law in law school, want to ensure their law firm associates are well-versed in the subject, need a refresher, are mineral owners, or simply have a strong interest in this area of law. Though these are non-credit courses, they have been approved by the State Bar of Texas for Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit hours.
Perfect for anyone interested in learning about oil and gas law at their own pace, from home or the office.
Enroll now to gain 90-day access to these comprehensive courses, priced at $1,500 each. Participants can earn up to 31 CLE credit hours for the basic course and 25 CLE credit hours for the advanced course from the State Bar of Texas.
Courses Feature:
IN-DEPTH VIDEO LECTURES
ACCESS TO ALL MATERIALS DISCUSSED IN THE LECTURES
EXTENSIVE SUPPLEMENTAL RESOURCES
What’s more, half of the course fee will support the Energy Law Program!
INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT
Texas Tech Law’s Energy Law Advisory Group is made up of alumni who meet to discuss relevant issues and enhancements to the Energy Law Program. The Advisory Group members serve as general counsel, practitioners, section heads, and owners of exploration-and-production companies.
Craig Adams '92 – Matador Resources (Retired)
Doug Atnipp '85 – Egan Nelson
Charles Boettcher '99 – Waste Management, Inc.
David Copeland '82 – SM Energy Company (Retired)
Michael Cuda '91 – K&L Gates LLP
Greg Curry '89 – Holland & Knight
Mike Curry '89 – Henry Resources, LLC
Jacob Davidson '07 – Davis, Gerald & Cremer
Mike Denham '99 – Quantum Energy Partners
Dan Fergus '83 – Fergus & Fergus, L.L.P.
Shannan Goss '05 – ExxonMobil
Anna Gryska '14 – Woodside Energy
Stephanie Hall '97 – Valero Energy
Jeff King '87 – K&L Gates LLP
Kiersten Kita '05 – HF Sinclair
Carol Leach '78 – Concho Resources (Retired)
Curtis Leonard '79 – ICA Energy, Inc.
Cottie Miles '97 – Martin & Drought, P.C.
Jon Platt '09 – Baker Botts LLP
David Poole '88 – Range Resources (Retired)
Stephen Robertson '07 – Permian Basin Petroleum Association
Todd Spake '96 – Kelly, Hart & Hallman LLP
Barry Thomas '88 – Pioneer Natural Resources
Ty Wood '06 – Ty J. Wood, Attorney at Law, PLLC
