The Foundation for Natural Resources and Energy Law recently awarded Executive Professor Harry W. Sullivan, Jr. with its Clyde O. Martz Teaching Award. The award was established to recognize outstanding educators in the fields of natural resources and energy law. Excellence in teaching performance is the primary criterion for the award, but fostering a broad understanding of the law, mentoring students, and innovative style are also considered.
In its recognition, the Foundation specifically noted Sullivan’s “relaxed and friendly teaching style” and his ability to “make[] complex legal issues and contractual provisions accessible, often “negotiating” with students or other instructors to extract important concepts.” It further noted that “[h]is teaching is both entertaining and interactive, and interspersed with real life stories that keep his audiences engaged” and that he has “a remarkable way of communicating his incredibly deep knowledge of the industry in a simple and direct manner that advances both basic understanding and the nuance and complexity of the field.”
Sullivan was also singled out for his graciousness and generosity in traveling worldwide to educate and train both early career and experienced professionals on various aspects of international oil and gas law and contracts. He has educated government officials and ministers under a U.S. Department of Commerce program, chaired committees that developed industry-standard model form contracts for the Association of International Energy Negotiators, and has taught thousands of practitioners how to draft both U.S. domestic and international oil and gas contacts.
At Texas A&M School of Law, Sullivan has served as an Executive Professor since 2014 where he has taught Oil and Gas Law, International Petroleum Transactions, International Oil and Gas Negotiations, Oil and Gas Contracts, and Advanced Oil and Gas Contract Drafting. He has also taught at SMU Dedman School of Law, South Texas College of Law, SMU’s Cox School of Business, Texas Wesleyan University School of Law, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
The Texas A&M Law Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources Systems Law Program is immensely proud of Professor Sullivan and his accomplishments, and wholeheartedly congratulate him on this well-deserved recognition!