Hired by rig owner Transocean just days after the deadly Deepwater Horizon explosion, Rachel Giesber Clingman approached the case with her trademark relentless preparation. Her early work proved critical, as she faced a maze of complex litigation, Congressional hearings and the challenge of leading a team of independent trial lawyers.

For Clingman, the case she is reluctant to discuss is the high point of a 20-year career, showcasing, and at times testing, the skills that have propelled her from a small Texas Hill Country town to her current position, at age 45, as the go-to defender of energy companies in trouble.

Richard Horstman, who is widely recognized as one of the leading lawyers for international oil exploration and production, didn’t do much pro bono during his first 30 years at Marathon Oil. Five years ago, the energy giant implemented a formal pro bono effort. The assistant GC now performs more than 200 hours of pro bono a year handling child immigration cases.

“Pro bono certainly changed my view of myself as a lawyer,” says Horstman. “I realized that I am one of the few who can do this because of my expertise as a lawyer.”

Carlson was a member of DART’s board of directors for almost a decade before becoming the new GC.

Carlson was a member of DART’s board of directors for almost a decade before becoming the new GC.

James Matthews will become vice president, general counsel and secretary of Denbury Resources.

James Matthews will become vice president, general counsel and secretary of Denbury Resources.