OIL & GAS SECTION MEETING + CLE

LET'S CANCEL OIL AND GAS - NO, WAIT!

Speaker William "Bill" Keffer

Bill Keffer is a well-known voice in the oil and gas scene in Texas. Mr. Keffer obtained his BA in history from SMU in 1981 and his JD from the University of Texas in 1984. Over his career, Mr. Keffer has worked for Vial, Hamilton, Koch & Knox, ARCO Oil & Gas Company, Foley Gardere, he has represented ConocoPhillips, Chevron, and Vastar on oilfield-pollution litigation, and, on occasion, has successfully represented various landowners in prosecuting their oilfield-pollution claims, including ranch families in the Permian Basin and South Texas, as well as rural landowners in the Barnett shale in North Texas. Mr. Keffer also had his own practice in Dallas for thirteen years, where he continued to focus on environmental matters involving the oil-and-gas industry. During that time, he also served in the Texas legislature for two terms from 2003 to 2007, representing House District 107 in Northeast Dallas County. He has been a faculty teaching oil and gas law with the Texas Tech School of Law since 2014.

This event qualifies for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit through DAPA.

For additional questions regarding this event, please contact the Professional Development Director, Madeline Burr, at pd@dallasparalegals.org.

DAPA PRESENTATION + CLE

The Evolving Paralegal Role - Navigating Ethics and AI in the Office

Jackie Van Dyke is a Certified Paralegal with a master’s degree in paralegal studies and over 13 years of experience teaching legal research and writing at the graduate level. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the USD School of Law Paralegal Studies Program and at Cal State East Bay Extension Program. As the founder of The Paralegal Writer® and through her membership in Legal Writing Essentials, she supports paralegals with their writing, research, and citation skills through her online course offerings. Jackie launched her signature course, Pen A Memo™, in 2000 to help paralegals reach their goal of national certification, which continues to be offered quarterly. Jackie is also an active contributor to the larger paralegal community through writing publications and being a member of local professional associations across the country.

This event qualifies for 1.0 hour of Ethics CLE credit through DAPA.

For additional questions regarding this event, please contact the Education Vice President, Rachel Johnson, at education@dallasparalegals.org.

DEI PRESENTATION + CLE

Pride Month Presentation!

How Should LBGTQ Couples Protect Themselves in Uncertain Times?

We will explore the unique legal and practical steps LGBTQ couples can take to protect themselves, their relationships, and their families in a changing legal climate.  This presentation will cover the different types of relationships recognized under the law, the challenges LGBTQ couples may still face, and the estate planning tools that help ensure their wishes are honored.

Meet Speaker Lorie Burch!

Lorie owns a Dallas law firm that primarily focuses on estate planning, including wills, trusts, powers of attorney, probate, and business law. Including in 2025, Burch Law has been awarded 4 times as one of the 500 fastest growing small law firms in the country, which is a testament to our team and how we’ve been able to help more families and individuals with this vital planning. 

Lorie has engaged in many civic and community organizations and advocacy. She currently serves on the Leadership Plano Board of Directors and is the Chair of the Diversity Advisory Committee for Leadership Plano. In 2018, she ran for United States Congress for the 3rd District of Texas. Lorie served as the 2013-2014 National President for the Board of Directors of the American Business Women’s Association. She is also the past Chairwoman of the Board for the North Texas LGBT Chamber and was formally the Co-Chair of the DFW Human Rights Campaign Steering Committee. 

This year, Lorie was voted as Dallas’ Best Civil/Family Law Attorney by readers of the Dallas Voice for the 7^th time! In 2024, Burch Law was awarded “Best Marketing Ad Campaign” by Plano City Lifestyle Magazine. In 2022, Burch Law was honored as Business of the Year by the North Texas LGBT Chamber. Additionally, Lorie was honored by the Dallas Business Journal as a 2013 Women in Business. She was recognized as one of the 2010 Top Ten Business Women for the American Business Women’s Association. In 2007, Lorie was awarded the North Texas LGBT Chamber Business Person of the Year. 

This event qualifies for 1.0 hour of General CLE credit through DAPA.

For additional questions regarding this event, please contact Executive Director, Laura Kehoe, at ed@dallasparalegals.org.