About

Number of years practice: 22 Principal practice areas: M&A, project development and project finance Admissions: England and Wales, Texas Languages spoken: English and Spanish

Steven Otillar advises clients seeking to develop, finance, and execute acquisitions and divestitures of US and emerging markets oil and gas assets, both onshore and offshore. He has extensive experience in Mexico, dating back to the 1990s. After working and studying in Mexico during law school, and continuing to spend a significant amount of time in the country, he has developed a deep understanding of the energy industry and the culture of Mexico. This cultural familiarity, coupled with his experience working on oil and gas projects in Asia, Africa and the United States enables him to provide a unique blend of international best practices. ‘I have been travelling and working there for my entire career, and I have a true passion to help lend a hand to the ground-breaking changes that are taking place in Mexico at this time’, says Otillar. ‘While I am no longer driving to the border and taking buses to DF or Acapulco, I still travel extensively in Mexico even when not working on client matters. Mexico is an amazing country, with wonderful people and resources. I see the energy industry as an engine for growth if used in the correct manner, and the opening we are witnessing is historic on so many levels. It is humbling to have the chance to work with clients in creating opportunities in the country.’ His career highlights in the Mexican market include working with a team on behalf of El Paso and Gasoductos de Chihuahua, a mandate involving project finance, development, and eventually representing the client in the sale of their entire operations to Sempra. He worked with the National Hydrocarbon Commission (CNH) for several years in connection with the implementation of the energy reforms of 2013 and associated early bidding rounds and, subsequently, with one of the first international oil-and-gas operators to enter Mexico after the end of the Pemex monopoly. He has also worked for Pemex regarding the analysis and structuring of its midstream assets to prepare for open access and competitive markets. Outside private practice, he has served for over 10 years on the board of Amigos de las Américas, currently a pro bono client of White & Case which runs several programs active in Mexico focusing on youth leadership opportunities to help in community development projects. Otillar is also the president of the association of International Petroleum Negotiators, and serve as a vice president and member of the executive committee for the International Energy Institute for the Center for American and International Law.