Director's Report for 2013

During its first year, the Oil and Gas Law Center provided many opportunities to assist students in becoming proficient oil and gas lawyers. Plans for 2014 include development of additional courses, expanded extracurricular study opportunities, field trips, new forms of scholarship for the practicing bar, and the first student symposium.

Highlights of the director's annual report include:

  • New and expanded course offerings, both in the classroom and online.
  • Student externships and internships with corporations such as Chevron U.S.A. and Chesapeake Energy, and various state agencies.
  • Lunch and Learn lectures, field trips, and attendance at a number of conferences, including the Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Annual Institute.
  • Over $40,000 in donated scholarship funds for students.
  • Vexatious Title Issues Student Symposium to be held March 28, 2014.

Read the director's annual report (1.4 MB PDF)

Photograph: Washburn Law students at the 2013 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation Annual Institute in Spokane, Washington.

Washburn Law students attended the 2013 Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation's Annual Institute in Spokane, Washington.

Photograph: Students and practitionars at the 2014 Mineral Title Examination course.

Mineral Title Examination has been taught to full classrooms the past two years. Practicing title examiners assist Professor David Pierce with teaching students and CLE attendees about creating a chain of title, analyzing document language, identifying ownership issues, and discussing how requirements can be satisfied.

Photograph: Benjamin Busboom touring an oil rig during his externship experience.

Law student Ben Busboom received orientation at a drill site in Oklahoma as part of his internship with Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

Graphic: Cover of 2013 report by the director of the Washburn Law Oil and Gas Law Center.

Read the report (1.4 MB PDF)

Photograph: Washburn Law students helping to honor Joseph Morris, class of 1947.

The Honorable Joseph W. Morris, Class of 1947, was recognized at the first Hartrick Symposium on Career Paths in the Energy Sector. He received the "Award for Distinguished Service in Energy Law." Judge Morris, and his wife Dona, are shown with some of the 50 current Washburn Law students who traveled to Tulsa to meet with the Morrises and attend the symposium.