Attorney Intel is pleased to announce The Top 50 Attorneys of Houston for 2022. Houston is the fourth most populous city in the nation and continues to grow due to the area’s booming job market. Not only is it a great city for engineers, scientists and tech professionals, it’s home to thriving law professionals. This year’s awardees are committed to a variety of areas, but most importantly, they are experienced and well respected individuals in their profession and provide top tier knowledge and service.
Among this year’s awardees is Leslie Shaunty, General Counsel of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, who is a seasoned attorney with diverse and broad-ranging experiences with a multitude of legal issues; Daniel Belhumeur, General Counsel of Tellurian Inc., where he is on the ground floor and manages partnerships to continue growing their market share; and David Taylor, Deputy General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Steel Perlot, who represents an organization that is repeatedly building and bringing key products and platform businesses to markets.
Please join us in celebrating The Top 50 Attorneys of Houston for 2022 for their hard and dedicated work for their clients and their respected organizations.
1. Matthew Powers
General Counsel, EVP and Corporate Secretary of ION Geophysical
Matthew Powers is a General Counsel, Executive Vice President and Corporate Secretary of ION Geophysical. He first joined the company in 2013 as a senior counsel. ION has been a technology leader for 50 years with a strong history of innovation. While its traditional focus for its cutting-edge technology has been on the E&P industry, the company is now broadening and diversifying its business into relevant adjacent markets such as offshore logistics, military and marine robotics. Leveraging innovative technologies, ION creates value through data capture, analysis and optimization to enhance companies’ critical decision-making abilities and returns. ION offerings are focused on improving E&P decision-making, enhancing reservoir management and optimizing offshore operations.
Previously, Powers was an attorney at Sidley Austin LLP, and before that, an attorney at Mayer Brown. Earlier in his career he worked with Duane Morris LLP as an attorney. Powers earned a JD from the University of Chicago Law School, and an undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Colorado Denver.
2. Leslie Shaunty
General Counsel of Skyward Specialty Insurance
Leslie Shaunty began her professional career 22 years ago. Today, she is a General Counsel of Skyward Specialty Insurance, a property and casualty insurance holding company formed in 2007. They provide admitted and non-admitted solutions to retail and wholesale distributors, managing general agents and captive markets. Skyward has built highly respected businesses in specialty lines including management professional liability, medical stop loss, surety, E&S property and liability, and large commercial property, as well as multi-line solutions for the energy, trucking and construction industries. Skyward Specialty is different from most others in its industry in just about every way. They have the spirit of a start-up with the security of nearly $1 billion in Written Premium. It puts immense brain power and energy into finding greater insights to uncover better opportunities for its clients, partners, and people.
Shaunty first got her start in 2000 as an AVP in legal at HCC Insurance Holdings Inc. From there, she went on to Mattress Firm, before eventually rising to corporate attorney at Shaunty Law Firm, her most recent position prior to joining Skyward Specialty Insurance. Shaunty graduated from the University of Virginia with a JD, and from the University of Texas - Austin with an undergraduate degree in government.
3. Jack Najarian
Attorney of Chamberlain Hrdlicka
Jack Najarian is an Attorney of Chamberlain Hrdlicka, a tax and business-focused law firm providing value at the highest level of client service, with offices in Atlanta, Houston, Philadelphia and San Antonio. They are a mid-market, multi-service firm with a nationally-leading tax practice, representing both public and private companies, as well as individuals and family-owned businesses across the nation. The firm has grown over the past five decades to more than 150 attorneys with a wide variety of practice areas and personalized attention to their clients’ needs. The firm remains a hallmark of its heritage, and over the years, individuals and business entities alike have placed their trust in Chamberlain Hrdlicka for its highly-skilled and dedicated attorneys who provide a level of sophistication, client service and a value proposition that is unmatched. Today, the firm’s tradition of personalized service continues to be valued by clients from the smallest start-up ventures to the largest multinational companies. Najarian has 12 years of experience. He began his career in 2010.
Before joining Chamberlain Hrdlicka, Najarian was an attorney at Liskow & Lewis, and before that, an attorney at Abdullah & Associates, PLLC. Earlier in his career he worked with the Harris County Office of the District Attorney as a law clerk. Najarian graduated from the University of Illinois College of Law with a JD, and from the University of Houston Honors College with an undergraduate degree in economics and political science.
4. Joshua Newcomer
Attorney of McKool Smith
Joshua Newcomer is an Attorney of McKool Smith. He first joined the company in 2013. With 120 trial lawyers across offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, Marshall, New York, and Washington, D.C., McKool Smith has established a reputation as one of America’s leading trial firms. The firm has secured 13 nine-figure jury verdicts and 15 eight-figure jury verdicts, obtaining more VerdictSearch and The National Law Journal “Top 100 Verdicts” than any other law firm. These courtroom successes have earned McKool Smith critical acclaim and helped the firm become what The Wall Street Journal describes as “one of the biggest law firm success stories of the past decade.” McKool Smith represents clients in complex commercial litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy, insurance recovery, and white collar defense matters.
Previously, Newcomer was an attorney at Hogan Lovells. Earlier in his career he worked with L.E.K. Consulting as an associate consultant. Newcomer earned a JD from Temple University - James E. Beasley School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
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5. Shaun Sethna
Deputy General Counsel of Altisource
Shaun Sethna is a Deputy General Counsel of Altisource. Altisource is an integrated service provider and marketplace for the real estate and mortgage industries, helping servicers, originators and investors maximize results, enhance quality, minimize costs and mitigate risks. The organization built a successful business providing technology and innovative solutions to mortgage servicing and origination clients as well as buyers and sellers of single-family residential real estate. They deliver a comprehensive suite of products and services that can meet the unique needs of each client. Combining operational excellence with a suite of innovative products and technologies, Altisource helps solve the demands of the ever-changing market. Sethna has 17 years of experience. He began his career in 2005.
Before joining Altisource, Sethna was a chief counsel for start-up SaaS data analytics business at Pointillist, and before that, an attorney at Schlumberger. Earlier in his career he worked with King & Spalding as an associate. Sethna graduated from Columbia Law School with a JD, and from Georgia Institute of Technology with an undergraduate degree in industrial engineering.
7. Joshua Belcher
Attorney of Eversheds Sutherland
Joshua Belcher began his professional career 20 years ago. Today, he is an Attorney of Eversheds Sutherland, a pioneering global law practice providing high quality legal advice and innovation worldwide. They deliver high quality, innovative solutions to complex business issues for a diverse range of clients. Their global teams operate seamlessly to deliver the commercial know-how and strategic alignment that clients need from their advisers to help further their business interests. Eversheds shape its advice to the unique circumstances and challenges of each project, and ensure the right people are in the right places to offer insight and certainty every time – from the day-to-day to the most complex, multi-jurisdictional transactions.
Belcher first got his start in 2002 as an account executive at B&B Marketing Communications. From there, he went on to Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, before eventually rising to attorney at Cozen O'Connor, his most recent position prior to joining Eversheds Sutherland. Belcher graduated from Vermont Law and Graduate School with a JD and an MS in environmental law, and from The University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in sociology.
9. Cathy Konwisarz
General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officern of NESR
Cathy Konwisarz began her professional career 17 years ago. Today, she is General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer of NESR. National Energy Services Reunited Corp. (NESR) was founded in 2017 as one of the largest national oilfield services providers in the MENA and Asia Pacific regions, and was the first national energy company from the MENA region to be listed on the NASDAQ. With over 5,000 employees representing more than 60 nationalities in over 15 countries, NESR helps its customers unlock the full potential of their reservoirs by providing production services such as hydraulic fracturing, cementing, coiled tubing, filtration, completions, stimulation, pumping and nitrogen services. NESR also enables its customers to access their reservoirs in a more efficient manner by providing drilling and evaluation services such as drilling downhole tools, directional drilling, fishing tools, testing services, wireline, slickline, drilling fluids and rig services.
Konwisarz first got her start as an associate at Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, before moving in-house and eventually rising to Assistant General Counsel – Conventional, A&D and US Operations at Marathon Oil Company. Konwisarz graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with her JD and from the University of Houston Law Center with two Masters of Law, one in tax law, and the other in energy, environment, and natural resources law. She also hold an Bachelor of Science from Texas A&M University.
11. Jasper Mason
Attorney of Baker Donelson
Jasper Mason is an Attorney of Baker Donelson. For 130 years, Baker Donelson has built a reputation for achieving results for its clients on a wide range of legal matters. While providing legal services is its focus, it is how the firm delivers them that sets it apart. Their goal is to provide clients with more than what they have come to expect from a law firm. Baker Donelson commits to a deep understanding of a client's business, to enable it to anticipate clients' needs and assist in their decision making processes. They offer consistent, knowledgeable guidance based on their specific goals and objectives. This is why clients view the firm as a valued business partner and allows them to focus on the growth and success of their business, confident their legal issues will be handled by an attentive, responsive team. Clients receive informed guidance from experienced, multi-disciplined industry and client service teams. Mason has 16 years of experience. He began his career in 2006.
Before joining Baker Donelson, Mason was an attorney at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP, and before that, an attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP. Earlier in his career he worked with IHS as a senior consultant. Mason graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a JD, from Texas A&M University - The Bush School of Government and Public Service with a master’s in international affairs and national security policy, and from the University of Houston with an undergraduate degree in political science.
13. Gregg Goldstein
General Counsel of Cart.com
Gregg Goldstein began his professional career 24 years ago. Today, he is a General Counsel of Cart.com, the first end-to-end ecommerce software and service provider built to help Brands find more customers, sell in more places, and deliver their products more easily. Brands can attract new customers by meeting them where they shop, improve brands’ advertising ROI, and automate all their ecommerce analytics tasks, then promote products in thousands of channels with Cart Feed Management. Cart.com provides tools that allow for a modular, data-rich, fully integrated approach to scaling up. It is on a mission to put Brands back in charge of their ecommerce journey and in control of their customer relationships.
Goldstein first got his start in 1998 as a legislative analyst at National Multi Housing Council. From there, he went on to Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, before eventually rising to general counsel at ForeFlight, LLC, his most recent position prior to joining Cart.com. Goldstein graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a JD, from the University of Kentucky with an MA in anthropology, and from the University of Colorado Boulder with an undergraduate degree in anthropology.
16. Rebecca Andrews
Attorney and Partner of Best Best & Krieger
Rebecca Andrews began her professional career 14 years ago. Today, she is an Attorney and Partner of Best Best & Krieger, a trusted partner and strategist to public and private sector clients across the nation. With offices spanning from coast to coast, the firm’s 250 attorneys provide innovative legal solutions and cost-effective representation, working to protect and advance clients’ interests at every turn. The firm provides full-service counsel and representation on municipal, environmental, employment, business, public finance, telecommunications, government relations matters and more. BB&K is recognized for decades of groundbreaking successes, loyal service, and a culture of inclusion and respect.
Andrews first got her start in 2008 as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court. From there, she went on to California Court of Appeals, Fourth District as law clerk, her most recent position prior to joining Best Best & Krieger. Andrews graduated from the University of San Diego School of Law with a JD, from Emory University with a master of divinity, and from Seattle Pacific University with an undergraduate degree.
18. Nicole Nordhougen
General Counsel of Netsync Network Solutions
Nicole Nordhougen began her professional career 15 years ago. Today, she is a General Counsel of Netsync Network Solutions, a NMSDC-certified minority business enterprise (MBE), federally certified woman-owned small business (WOSB), and HUB-certified value-added reseller (VAR), specializing in the implementation of comprehensive IT life cycle solutions for a wide array of organizations. As a Cisco Gold, Master Collaboration, and Master Security Partner; an HP and Intel Platinum Partner; and holding certifications and specializations from many of the industry’s leading technology manufacturers, Netsync has extensive experience performing large-scale implementations and deploying complex IT solutions for K-12 and higher education institutions, civic organizations, municipalities, government agencies, and corporate clients across several industries, including energy, healthcare, retail, and financial services.
Nordhougen first got her start in 2007 as an HR generalist at SEI LLC. From there, she went on to Lowe's Home Improvement, before eventually rising to HR manager at Hostgator.com, her most recent position prior to joining Netsync Network Solutions. Nordhougen graduated from The University of North Dakota School of Law with a JD, and from North Dakota State University with an undergraduate degree in political science.
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21. Daniel Belhumeur
General Counsel of Tellurian
Daniel Belhumeur is a General Counsel of Tellurian. He first joined the company in 2016. Tellurian is committed to supplying energy to the global market with a priority on decreasing urban pollution, reducing worldwide carbon emissions and slowing the pace of climate change. It is developing natural gas infrastructure efficiently and responsibly, providing consumers with a more reliable, cleaner energy supply and enabling advances in renewable energy alternatives. The first-class management team at Tellurian has collectively delivered over 79 million tonnes of LNG through their past endeavors over the past 50 years. Their first project at Tellurian is Driftwood LNG, a 27.6 mtpa LNG facility near Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Driftwood project has all the required permitting to begin construction and has achieved significant commercial momentum. Tellurian’s combination of talents sets it apart from every other developer and their leadership is underpinned by a team with unmatched experience.
Previously, Belhumeur was a VP of tax and general tax counsel at Cheniere Energy, Inc. Belhumeur earned a JD from the University of Kansas School of Law, an LLM from Georgetown University, a master’s degree in taxation and an undergraduate degree in accounting from Texas A&M University.
23. Aakash Parekh
General Counsel of SparkCognition
Aakash Parekh began his professional career 18 years ago. Today, he is a General Counsel of SparkCognition. Their mission is to deliver world-class AI solutions that allow you to solve your most critical problems, empowering you to run a more sustainable, safer, and profitable business. Its award-winning AI solutions predict future outcomes, optimize processes, and prevent cyberattacks. It partners with the world’s industry leaders to analyze, optimize, and learn from data. Their patented AI, machine learning, and natural language technologies lead the industry in innovation and accelerate digital transformation. SparkCognition’s solutions allow you to solve critical challenges—prevent unexpected downtime, maximize asset performance, optimize prices, and ensure worker safety, all while avoiding zero-day cyberattacks on essential IT and OT infrastructure. SparkCognition’s product portfolio enables you to quickly capitalize on your data, providing actionable insights based on real-time analysis, amplifying your return on investment, and redefining best practices.
Parekh first got his start in 2004 as a software engineer at FactSet Research Systems. From there, he went on to Biggers & Ohanian LLP, before eventually rising to principal at Toler Law Group, his most recent position prior to joining SparkCognition. Parekh graduated from The University of Texas School of Law with a JD, and from The University of Texas at Austin with an undergraduate degree in computer science.
26. Victoria Nemeth
Principal of Filippov Law Group, PLLC
Victoria Nemeth began her professional career 22 years ago. Today, she is a Principal of Filippov Law Group, PLLC, a reliable full-service business law firm dedicated to delivering cost-effective services. Filippov believes in worldwide access to unique, cost-saving, ethical legal solutions to business owners and managers who want to improve efficiency, simplify complex legal matters, and streamline operational processes. When clients’ business grows beyond their existing capacity, the firm provides experienced business counsel to handle legal work at a fraction of the cost of law firm rates. Filippov handles a wide variety of corporate, regulatory and strategic issues and creates legal and business solutions that allow organizations to fulfill their financial goals. The firm fosters relationships and efficiently resolves complex matters surrounding business development, employment, operation and management of construction, engineering, real estate, manufacturing, and oil and gas projects.
Nemeth first got her start in 2000 as an associate at Ireson, Weizel & Hightower, P.C. From there, she went on to Golden & Owens, LLPGolden, before eventually rising to general counsel at Production Partners, LLC, her most recent position prior to joining Filippov Law Group, PLLC. Nemeth graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with a JD, and from University of Houston with an undergraduate degree.
28. Sky Brown
Attorney of Stress Engineering Services
Sky Brown began his professional career 10 years ago. Today, he is an Attorney of Stress Engineering Services, an innovative engineering solutions company. They specialize in taking on the toughest technical problems. The company’s commitment is to provide the most comprehensive design, analysis, and testing services with an unsurpassed level of engineering integrity and skill. Their devotion to quality stems from the two basic principles on which the company was founded - technical excellence and a passion to serve. From upstream oil & gas to downstream chemical & refinery, plastics to packaging, materials to testing, medical to pharmaceutical, pipelines to power, and measurements to forensics, stress engineering has the experience, knowledge and tools to take on your toughest technical challenges and deliver the right answers.
Brown first got his start in 2012 as an attorney at Mabry, Herbecks & Roberts. From there, he went on to JPMorgan Chase & Co., before eventually rising to attorney at Segal McCambridge Singer & Mahoney, his most recent position prior to joining Stress Engineering Services. Brown graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with a JD, from Texas A&M University with a master's in public safety administration, and an undergraduate degree in political science.
31. Jessica Steinmann
General Counsel of America First Policy Institute
Jessica Steinmann is a General Counsel of America First Policy Institute. She first joined the company in 2021. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan research institute. The organization was created following the inauguration of Donald Trump in 2017 to promote the America First policy agenda of his administration. The organization describes their mission as "supporting key policy initiatives that will work for all citizens in the country and put America first.” The guiding principles are liberty, free enterprise, national greatness, American military superiority, foreign-policy engagement in the American interest, and the primacy of American workers, families, and communities in all they do.
Previously, Steinmann was an elections committee clerk and counsel at Texas House of Representatives, and before that, the director of the Office for Victims of Crime in the U.S. Department of Justice. Earlier in her career she worked with Bracewell & Giuliani LLP as an attorney. Steinmann earned a JD from Baylor University School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in business administration from The University of Texas at Austin.
33. Alaina Richard
General Counsel of Edgen Murray
Alaina Richard is a General Counsel of Edgen Murray. She first joined the company in 2018 as associate general counsel. Edgen Murray, a Sumitomo Corporation Company, is a leading supplier of quality PVF products for the energy and infrastructure market. It manages procurement, provides value-add services, and delivery of high-performance pipe, valves, fittings, and related components through its Americas distribution network. Edgen Murray goes beyond traditional sourcing. It employs personnel who ensure AML and technical requirements are met while delivering quality products and services on schedule—no matter the time, day or location. Edgen Murray listens and provides individualized service and solutions for the challenges its customers face in ever-changing markets.
Previously, Richard was a judicial law clerk at Baton Rouge City Court, and before that, a law clerk at Wray & Pierce, L.L.P. Earlier in her career she worked with Frock Candy as a media specialist. Richard earned a JD and an undergraduate degree in mass communication from Louisiana State University.
35. Ricardo Yepez
Senior Attorney of Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner P.A.
Ricardo Yepez is a Senior Attorney of Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner P.A. He first joined the company in 2022. Schwegman Lundberg & Woessner is a boutique law firm dedicated to the practice of intellectual property law. They focus on strategic patent portfolio planning and management, infringement, validity and clearance investigations, opinions and all phases of intellectual property prosecution practice. This includes preparation and prosecution of patent applications, appeals, re-examinations, interferences and foreign oppositions. SLW cooperates with and advises clients' litigation firms regarding their intellectual property litigation. In this fashion, SLW is able to provide its clients with a realistic appraisal of litigation risks and can work towards its mission of providing high quality corporate IP services.
Previously, Yepez was an associate attorney at Fletcher Yoder. Earlier in his career he worked with Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. as a researcher, engineering and Sr. information consultant. Yepez earned a JD from the University of Houston Law Center, and an MS and undergraduate degree in computer science and economics from Texas A&M University.
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37. David Taylor
Deputy General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Venture Funds and Regulatory of Steel Perlot
David Taylor is the Deputy General Counsel and Executive Vice President of Venture Funds and Regulatory of Steel Perlot. Steel Perlot is a deep tech management company incubating, investing, and scaling companies in today’s most challenging technical industries, focused on four primary verticals: new money and distributed systems, physical sciences, applied AI/ML, and synthetic bio/life sciences. Steel Perlot is here to repeatedly build and bring key products and platform businesses to market through a strengthened research pipeline, owning and scaling key underlying technologies and thereby shaping disruptive global markets through hard technical innovation. Taylor has 19 years of experience. He began his career in 2003.
Before joining Steel Perlot, Taylor was a special counsel at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP, and before that, a partner at Holland & Knight LLP. Earlier in his career he worked with Kelly Hart & Hallman, PC as an associate. Taylor graduated from SMU Dedman School of Law with a JD, Georgetown University Law Center with an LLM in securities & financial regulation, and from Texas A&M University - Mays Business School with an undergraduate degree in business administration and management.
39. Sara Morton
Attorney of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith A PLC
Sara Morton is an Attorney of Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith A PLC. This Gulf South based litigation firm is dedicated to delivering value in legal counsel for more than thirty years to local, national, and international clients in dozens of industries. Galloway’s recent expansion has resulted in over 130 attorneys in twelve cities located in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Missouri, and Georgia. Galloway’s attorneys are experienced in handling insurance defense, admiralty and maritime law, energy, oil and gas, products liability, employer’s liability, general casualty, professional liability, property, construction, transportation, title resolution, amusements, sports and leisure law, restaurant and retail law, as well as corporate transactional matters. Galloway, Johnson, Tompkins, Burr & Smith’s 17 lawyers have been included in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Morton has 16 years of experience. She began her career in 2006.
Before joining Galloway Johnson Tompkins Burr & Smith A PLC, Morton was an attorney at Josephson Dunlap, and before that, an attorney at The Lanier Law Firm. Earlier in her career she worked with Heard Robins Cloud & Lubel as an attorney. Morton graduated from South Texas College of Law Houston with a JD, and from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in psychology.
40. Garland McInnis
Attorney of Harris County Attorney's Office
Garland McInnis is an Attorney of Harris County Attorney's Office. The office represents the County, its departments, elected and appointed officials, and employees in all civil matters that involve county business. It also represents the Harris County Hospital District, the Harris County Flood Control District, the Harris County Appraisal Review Board, and the Greater 911 Emergency Network, which are separate legal entities. The Office represents the State of Texas in mental health commitments and children's protective services cases. It assists Harris County in administration of the guardianship program, which cares for elderly and disabled individuals who are unable to care for themselves. The Harris County Attorney's Office also provides a full spectrum of legal services such as state and federal civil litigation, drafting and negotiating contracts, conducting condemnation proceedings, issuing County Attorney Opinions, collecting monies owed to Harris County, and preparing documents for bond issues.
Previously, McInnis was the owner of Law Offices of Garland McInnis. McInnis earned a JD from the University of Houston Law Center.
43. Dave O'Neil
General Counsel of New Tech Global
Dave O'Neil is a General Counsel of New Tech Global. He first joined the company in 2011. For nearly 2 decades, New Tech Global has been recognized as a leader in Project Management and Consultancy Services in the Oil & Gas Industry. With its global network of expert engineers and consultants, NTG understands that outsourced technical services are crucial to the economies and efficiency of the company’s ever-changing energy industry. NTG Staffing is a full-service staffing agency. They adapt its services to meet the ever changing needs of its clients in every industry and discipline.
Previously, O'Neil was an Assistant General Counsel at PetroCosm Corporation, and before that, a partner at Stibbs & Burbach. Earlier in his career he worked with Brill, Brooks, Elkins & Yount as an associate. O'Neil earned a JD from South Texas College of Law Houston, an MLL in intellectual property law and in international law from the University of Houston Law Center, and an undergraduate degree in political science from The University of Texas at Austin.
45. Michael Silver
General Counsel of VAALCO Energy
Michael Silver began his professional career 32 years ago. Today, he is the General Counsel of VAALCO Energy, an independent energy company principally engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. VAALCO's strategy is to increase reserves and production through the exploration of oil and gas properties with a high emphasis on international opportunities. They strive to utilize technical expertise and operational infrastructure with its Gabon resources while expanding into new development opportunities in West Africa. Its growth will come from a mixture of organic and inorganic opportunities.
Silver first got his start in 1990 as a counsel at ExxonMobil Corporation. From there, he went on to Constellation Energy Commodities Group, Inc. as a senior counsel, his most recent position prior to joining VAALCO Energy. Silver graduated from Duke University School of Law with a JD, from Duke University - The Fuqua School of Business with an MBA, and from Lafayette College with an undergraduate degree in internal affairs.
47. Jerrad Bloome
Senior Attorney of Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC
Jerrad Bloome is a Senior Attorney of Kane Russell Coleman & Logan PC, a full-service law firm with offices in Dallas and Houston. For over 25 years, the firm has provided professional services for clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to medium-sized public and private companies to entrepreneurs. They handle transactional, litigation and bankruptcy matters in Texas and throughout the country. KRCL has built its practice on the idea that it must do more than provide excellent legal services. Its attorneys recognize that the firm’s success depends on its success. So they build deeper relationships and work harder to protect your interests. The firm’s dedication, paired with its deep bench of experienced lawyers has established its reputation as a go-to law firm. Bloome has 17 years of experience. He began his career in 2005.
Bloome graduated from the University of Houston Law Center with a JD, and from Brandeis University with an undergraduate degree in political science and government.
49. Katie Ryan
Attorney, Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Ranger Oil Corporation
Katie Ryan is an Attorney, Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel, and Corporate Secretary of Ranger Oil Corporation. She first joined the company in 2014. Ranger Oil Corporation is a pure-play independent oil and gas company engaged in the exploration, development and production of oil, NGLs, and natural gas, with operations in the Eagle Ford shale in various domestic onshore regions of the United States, with a primary focus in the Eagle Ford Shale in South Texas. Incorporated in 1882, the company was formerly known as Penn Virginia Corporation and changed its name to Ranger Oil Corporation in 2021. As of December 31, 2021, it had total proved reserves of approximately 241 million barrels of oil equivalent; and 860 gross productive wells, as well as leased approximately 172,000 gross acres of leasehold and royalty interests.
Previously, Ryan was an associate at Baker Botts. Ryan earned a JD from the University of Houston Law Center, and an undergraduate degree in psychology from The University of Texas at Austin.
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