Testimonials

What helped you reach your decision to obtain your LL.M degree from the University of Houston Law Center?

These events almost always look different in the rear-view mirror when compared to how they looked at the time.  Back when the LL.M. still lay ahead of me, the pivotal question asked whether--not where.  Would it make sense to pursue a second law degree?  Extra education isn’t for everybody, and it won’t necessarily for perfectly into every season of life.  Bear in mind that I had already done a master’s in chemical engineering at MIT after doing a bachelor’s at UT-Austin, so that 2-part experience showed me the value in branching out to a different institution and digging more deeply into modern scholarship.  My law degree from Baylor gave me an exceptional foundation for handling state court litigation under Texas law, but it necessarily lacked the breadth that could be found at a place with a larger faculty and more areas of study.  So pursuing a second law degree seemed awfully attractive, and UHLC made for a very easy choice because of the faculty’s recognized expertise in international law.

First, pursuing the degree brought immediate rewards.  Study can have intrinsic value, and we can become better members of our society when we make a go of extra learning.   I personally felt the benefit of improved legal skills from the start.  Second, although my law practice never drew me into cases before the International Court of Justice in the Hague, I have frequently had to cope with foreign legal systems and with treaties as governing law in a given dispute.  The LL.M. gave me a boost in appreciating how those systems function.  Finally, there is something satisfying about meeting faculty and other alums at any institution, and the UHLC community has added something to my life.

Life can come at you like a pinball game, where the ball heads one way for a time and then suddenly changes direction, so you won’t be able to plan things to perfection.  Don’t worry about that.  Make the most of the season of life where you find yourself.  But if your circumstances allow you to invest the time and energy needed for the LL.M. degree, rest assured that you will not regret it.  You will come away as a more educated person and a better lawyer. 

Originally from Congo-Brazzaville, I completed my legal education in France, earning a Ph.D. in law and qualifying as an attorney admitted to the Paris Bar. While this path provided me with a strong academic and professional foundation, I felt the need to broaden my perspective beyond a single legal system. Pursuing an LL.M. at the University of Houston Law Center was an intentional step to further my knowledge of U.S. law, which plays a central role in shaping global legal and business practices. More importantly, it was an opportunity to build a truly international profile in energy law and to position myself at the crossroads of different legal cultures and markets.

The University of Houston Law Center offered me the great opportunity to pursue a specialized LL.M. in Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law (EENR). I joined this program with a scholarship from the Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law (formerly Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation). Given my prior legal experience in oil and gas, mining and natural resources—with a focus on Africa—this program allowed me to deepen my expertise while developing a comparative perspective across the United States, France, and Africa. Beyond the academic dimension, the program enabled me to leverage my prior experience and connect with a dynamic and international ecosystem of legal professionals in Houston, widely recognized as the energy capital of the world.

I would offer two key pieces of advice. First, be intentional and strategic in selecting your LL.M. program and courses. Your LL.M. is a unique opportunity to enrich your current expertise, so it is important to align your academic choices with your long-term career vision.

Second, fully invest in building relationships. The LL.M. experience goes far beyond the classroom. Engaging with professors, peers, and industry professionals can open doors you may not anticipate. For international students in particular, this network can become an accelerator for global career opportunities.

I am currently a Partner at Dentons offices in Congo Brazzaville and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), while being personally based in Houston. My LL.M. experience at the University of Houston Law Center played a pivotal role in shaping this international trajectory. It enabled me to strengthen my expertise while developing the ability to navigate and bridge various legal systems—civil law and common law—which is essential in cross-border practice. Just as importantly, it positioned me within a global professional environment that continues to inform my work today.

The decision to obtain the LL.M from UHLC was very easy, actually. At the time I started the LL.M, I was working for Halliburton, which is one of the largest oilfield service companies in the world and I was l also living in Houston. To me, UHLC was the obvious choice to get my LL.M because it is a renowned academic institution with a very strong program on Energy, Environment and Natural Resources.

At the time I started the LL.M, I had already been practicing law for 6 years and that gave me an interesting insight between 'real world' experience and academia. This allowed me to have great discussions with my professors and obtain a more in-depth perspective of how to apply my newly acquired education into the professional world. As a consequence, I became a more rounded lawyer with a great balance between professional experience and academic knowledge.

Here is my advice: do not think twice about getting your LL.M at UHLC. You will gain access to experienced faculty that will challenge you into becoming a better lawyer. You will meet colleagues from all over the world and have the opportunity to talk about their experiences, their realities and their views of the world. Lastly, you will be able to study at a state-of-the-art facility that will make your learning experience a more enjoyable one. Not to mention that having a degree from such a reputable institution as UHLC will give you the academic credentials needed for your academic or professional endeavors.

A significant part of my career has been in the energy sector. When I decided to pursue an LL.M., I sought a program with a strong focus in this area. UHLC’s Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources Law LL.M. had an excellent reputation, offering a broad range of classes on current topics, experienced faculty, and a diverse group of classmates from around the world. It wasn't a difficult decision—UHLC was a perfect fit for me.

The LL.M. program allowed me to expand my network, find better job opportunities and gave me a sense of belonging to the university and, through it, to Houston.

I recommend taking full advantage of all the resources that the LLM program and UHLC have to offer. Participate in university events and join organizations related to your interests. These activities are excellent ways to expand your network, and many are free for students. Utilize the career services provided by UHLC and keep an eye on their job postings. I did so myself, and thanks to these resources, I was able to apply and get hired by the company I currently work for.

Why did you obtain your LL.M. degree from the University of Houston Law Center (UHLC)?
Rene: I wanted to separate myself with a Master of Laws in Intellectual Property from a reputable and well-known institution.

How has your LL.M. degree helped your career?
Rene: During the program, I interned with several federal judges and eventually accepted a law clerk position in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. I credit the LL.M. program (and its faculty) with assisting me obtain a highly coveted clerkship, which launched my legal career.

What advice would you give to prospective UHLC LL.M. students?
Rene: Take advantage of the specific courses and knowledgeable faculty. You will get what you put into the program.

 I decided to pursue an LL.M. in Tax after being encouraged by the late Professor Ira B. Shepard. He had a remarkable ability to demonstrate how a strong tax foundation—particularly at the University of Houston—could significantly enhance any transactional practice, whether in M&A, private equity, or corporate finance. UH Law Center’s reputation, proximity to a major business and energy hub, and the direct mentorship I received ultimately convinced me that the LL.M. program would be an invaluable asset to my career. While I don’t handle the typical ‘meat and potatoes’ tax matters on a daily basis, the knowledge I gained from my LL.M. in Tax has been instrumental in my M&A and energy transactions practice. Complex deals often hinge on sophisticated structuring to optimize tax outcomes, and being able to identify potential issues and opportunities from the outset gives my clients a distinct advantage. It also enables me to work seamlessly with dedicated tax professionals to ensure that each transaction is legally sound and strategically beneficial.

Maximize Location Benefits: Houston is a world-class business center, especially for energy, healthcare, and international deals. Take advantage of the robust local market and the access it provides to real-world transactional and networking opportunities. Engage with Faculty: Seek out professors and mentors who can offer both academic insights and practical perspectives. The UH faculty is known for blending substantive expertise with industry experience.

Stay Versatile: Even if you don’t plan to specialize solely in tax, an LL.M. broadens your skill set, sharpens your analytical abilities, and makes you more versatile when handling complex deals.

Build Your Network: Collaboration with classmates and alumni can open doors you might not expect. Be proactive in forming these connections.

My UH Law Center experience provided a thorough grounding in the tax principles that underpin many of today’s intricate corporate and energy transactions. This background has proven indispensable when negotiating and drafting documents like purchase and sale agreements, equity joint ventures, and credit and security agreements. By understanding the tax ramifications of various structuring options, I can advise clients more comprehensively, helping them mitigate risks and seize opportunities. In an industry where even small tax missteps can have major consequences, the LL.M. degree sets me apart and enables me to deliver a higher level of service to my clients.