“South Texas has a unique opportunity to be the leading law school for educating and training practice-ready graduates in the oil and gas industry – and that is attractive to potential employers,” Kulander said. “The workforce needs of the oil and gas industry continue to grow, particularly in the legal arena. South Texas fully understands this fact and is prepared to address those demands through the Institute’s diverse classes and programs.” The Institute will concentrate on developing applied petroleum-related transactional, title and regulatory practice skills. Kulander said one of his main goals is to make the third year in law school much more specialty-focused and practice-responsive. In addition, the Institute will seek to place advanced students in the legal departments of oil and gas companies around Houston. Future areas of study will include international petroleum transactions, midstream and downstream oil and gas activities, and other sources of energy. Additionally, the Institute will produce and promote significant scholarship related to the oil and gas legal business, and it is envisioned it will partner with other educational institutions and policy institutes to help lead public discourse on topics pertaining to the oil and gas industry and the energy sector overall. With a planned advisory board comprised of representatives from the energy industry, academia and regulatory and legislative agencies, the Institute also will sponsor policy papers and public symposia on specific current issues.
| Types | Organization, School |