Recent Developments

     The Energy Law Journal was recently honored with two articles published in the Tulsa Business Journal. A reprint of the articles is provided below.

Energy Law Journal editors, today, past to be recognized

     A quarter century of editing will be recognized during the Energy Law Journal awards banquet April 1. 

     The editors and staff of the Energy Law Journal - TU law students - will be recognized during the banquet set at 6 p.m. at the Tulsa Country Club. 

     Reservations are required by March 19 by calling 631-2044, email Jeremy-workman@utulsa.edu or by fax at 631-2194, place attention NELPI on the cover sheet.

     David Fleischaker, Oklahoma secretary of energy is the keynote speaker. Wayne Swearingen will introduce Fleischaker. 

     The publication had its beginning in 1978 under the direction of Kent Frizzell, the first NELPI director, said R. Dobie Langenkamp, who currently holds the position.

     During the past quarter century, the book has become a valuable tool to lawyers practicing in the energy field, he said. The book is published by the Energy Bar Association in Washington, D.C.

     In addition, the TU energy law students edit the American Bar Association Year in Review an annual report for the ABA energy section.

     This publication also is essential reading for energy law attorneys because it tracks key energy cases occurring during the year.

     Law students gain because they get beyond textbooks and lectures and are exposed to top attorneys in the energy field, Langenkamp said.

     Both publications add to the annual conference and CLE activities. Students, selected by the faculty to work on the Energy Journal, elect their own leadership, he said. Both publications currently deal with domestic law, Langenkamp said. But international law could be a part of the text in the future as the industry expands in the global marketplace.

     Joint operating agreements have long been used by energy companies in domestic production, he said. Offshore drilling and work always has required energy companies ''share the action.'' Those agreements are being expanded to include the rules and requirements of host countries.¹

These five University of Tulsa College of Law students are part of the 31 member staff editing and contributing to national publications. They are, Lauren Mohr, ceter, seated, 2004-2005 ELJ editor-in-chief, standing from left, Klint Cowan, executive articles editor, Seth Rice, articles editor, Drew Harding, current editor-in-chief, and Sarah Burns, articles editor.²

Editing, writing 'real' learning experience

     Drew Harding and 31 members of the Energy Law Journal are receiving extra legal training at the University of Tulsa College of Law.
     The law students serve as editors and contributors to the national publication and the American Bar Association Year In Review, a publication on the environment, energy and resources law.
     Editors and staff member will be honored during the annual Energy Law Journal awards banquet April 1 as the publication celebrates its 25th anniversary.
     Harding, ELJ editor-in-chief, said the opportunity to be involved in a national publication has provided an insight to energy law that reaches beyond the classroom and textbooks into the real world.
     ''The law journal, published twice a year, is found on the attorney's desk, not the bookshelf,'' he said. The book deals with matters that are relevant at that time.
     Law students contribute two or three articles per issue, Harding said. Selected items are reviewed by the Energy Lawyers board.
     Articles from the Energy Bar Association are sent to the students where they are ''cleaned up for publication,'' he said. No articles are changed from the author's intent.
     This editing process helps students fine tune writing skills because to be a good lawyer a person must be able to write well and coherently, he said.
     Currently the ELJ focuses on domestic energy law, Harding said. But that is changing as discussions focus on the importance of international law, especially in the light of Iraq and how it affects U.S. oil activity.
     Harding, from Dallas, said he was attracted to the TU College of Law because of its excellent reputation in energy law.
     For people living in Oklahoma and Texas, oil and gas law is a way of life, he said.³

¹ Energy, Law Journal editor, today, past to be recognized, Tulsa Bus. J., Mar. 12 - 18, 2004, at 13.

² Energy Law Journal Staff Members, Tulsa Bus. J., Mar. 12 - 18, 2004, at 13.

³ Editing, writing 'real' learning experience, Tulsa Bus. J., Mar. 12 - 18, 2004, at 13.