Education: 2002: J.D., The University of Iowa College of Law; 1999: B.A., The University of Iowa.

Career in Brief: 2013–present: Energy Transfer Partners, L.P., Associate General Counsel, Head of Litigation; 2009–2012/2002–2008: Fulbright & Jaworski, L.L.P., Partner/Associate; 2008–2009: Fulbright & Jaworski International L.L.P. (London, UK), Associate.

Location of Company HQ: Dallas, Texas.

Primary Industry Sector: Energy.

Revenues in the Last Financial Year: $52 billion.

Number of Employees Worldwide: 25,000.

Law Department Locations: Houston, Philadelphia and multiple other locations throughout the US.

What is the total number of attorneys in the company worldwide, and how many focus on litigation? We have approximately 40 attorneys in our legal department, ten of whom are dedicated solely or partially to litigation matters.

Where does litigation fall within the organizational structure? Litigation is a subsection of the Legal Department. As Head of Litigation, I directly report to the General Counsel.

How typical or unique is the scope of responsibilities for the company's litigation attorneys? Our litigation attorneys manage a varied portfolio of disputes, including large commercial disputes and real estate, employment, environmental and personal injury cases, to name a few. These matters arise throughout the country, from major metropolitan centers to rural areas. Additionally, our litigation attorneys regularly provide advice to business clients on various issues.

What is keeping your department's attorneys the busiest at the moment? Acquisitions. Each time Energy Transfer acquires a new company, we generally become responsible for that company’s litigation docket.

Have any recent legal developments changed the way your department operates? We continually follow new developments in the law, from substantive developments in case law to new guidance related to e-discovery, as well as how those developments affect our business practices and policies.

What types of issues will cause you to turn to outside counsel? We usually retain outside counsel for any matter that turns into litigation.

What types of issues will cause you to push for alternative fee arrangements with outside counsel? I seek alternative fee arrangements for litigation matters that are large and high risk and, alternatively, for matters that do not have a large amount in controversy, but may warrant using outside counsel whose hourly rates are not in line with the amount at stake.

What three things does a law firm need to do to impress you? Be creative in your approach to developing the case. Work up the matter as if the case is going to trial, which does not mean turning over every stone but rather only those that need to be turned over at the time. Think about potential issues and have answers ready before I have to ask the questions.

Can you describe the career path that led you to become an in-house litigation counsel? Directly out of law school, I started my legal career at Fulbright in Houston. I was fortunate to work with incredibly talented attorneys and gain a lot of hands-on litigation experience early on and throughout my career. This included a one-year secondment to the firm’s London office, where I gained additional international experience and qualified to practice as a solicitor. Later, I become a partner at Fulbright and thoroughly enjoyed my practice. While I never envisioned myself as an in-house counsel, I saw that I had a rare and great opportunity to manage litigation for Energy Transfer and decided to pursue it.

If not an attorney, what would you wish to be? A journalist or librarian.

What one piece of advice would you give to prospective in-house litigation counsel? Before taking an in-house litigation position, make sure you actually have had the experiences as outside counsel that you will be responsible for managing in your in-house role. Without having gone through trial as outside counsel, for example, it can be difficult to effectively oversee outside counsel at trial and challenging to make informed decisions regarding case strategy, budgeting and risk.