Connor A. Thompson named new EENR research scholar, brings government and private sector expertise
January 31, 2022 – Connor A.Thompson, a seasoned researcher specifically in energy, oil and gas, and utility law, has joined the University of Houston Law Center's Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources Center (EENR) as a research scholar.
Thompson assumed his role in early January and is a graduate of the University of Wyoming School of Law, where he focused his studies on oil and gas law, environmental law and water law and was named the Salt Creek Scholar in 2019. While at the University of Wyoming, Thompson externed for the Honorable Alan B. Johnson at the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming and interned at the Wyoming Attorney General’s Office.
“I grew up in Wyoming, where the energy industry and enjoyment of the outdoors are two major components to everyday life,” Thompson said. “These two components played a critical role in shaping me as an individual.”
After graduation and before taking this new position, Thompson worked in private practice assisting government entities and private sector parties in understanding and managing rules and regulations involving carbon management.
“This position was created in order to facilitate EENR legal research connected with the new Carbon Management Center at the University of Houston,” said Professor Victor Flatt, Faculty Co-Director of EENR. “Connor’s experience makes him an excellent fit for the position.”
Thompson previously worked for Smithyman & Zakoura, Chartered, a boutique firm specializing in energy and utility law in Overland Park, Kansas. His work at the firm involved representing clients in oil and gas lease disputes as well as matters involving natural gas and electric service. This involved work in the courts, Kansas Corporation Commission and the legislature.
When it comes to his goals in his new role, Thompson hopes to provide valuable research to advance the development, commercialization and implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage technology throughout the United States. He also strives to be a valuable member of the Law Center while learning as much as he can from his new colleagues.
“I am most looking forward to working in an exciting and rapidly evolving area of the law, which increasingly is impacting many diverse areas of the economy, and is garnering attention nationally and globally from the public, governments and industry,” Thompson said.
