Lauryn Robinson is an associate in the Norton Rose Fulbright Austin office. Her practice focuses on renewable energy transactions such as the acquisition and sale of renewable energy projects, joint ventures, project development and matters concerning engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements. Her practice also involves representing lenders, including bilateral and multilateral develop finance agencies, and borrowers in structuring, negotiating, documents and implementing domestic and international project financings. Lauryn also has experience in assisting clients with necessary due diligence associated with healthcare regulatory transactions.
Lauren Shapiro is experienced in real estate and title matters affecting the energy industry, including drafting purchase and sale agreements, letter agreements and other transactional real estate documents. She advises on utility-scale renewable energy projects regarding site control and title insurance. She also reviews title commitments, prepares closing instruction letters and drafts curative instruments to address title defects and issues for developers.
Barry Smitherman is a co-founder of the Texas Geothermal Energy Alliance and serves as the organization’s Chairman & President. Since 2016, Barry has been an adjunct professor of Texas Energy Law at the University of Texas School of Law.
Smitherman served on the Texas Railroad Commission (TRC) from 2011 through 2014 and was Chairman of the Commission from March 2012 through August 2014. Prior to the Railroad Commission, Barry served on the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) from April 2004 through July 2011 and served as Chairman of the PUCT from 2007-2011. He is the only person in Texas history to have chaired both organizations.
Smitherman is the founder and Managing Partner of Smitherman + Associates and 6S Capital Group. He is a consultant and active private investor in the Texas energy space. He has also served on the U.S. DOE Electricity Advisory Committee, the Board of Directors of NARUC, Chairman of the NARUC Gas Committee, the ERCOT Board of Directors, and the Regional State Committee of the Southwest Power Pool.
Currently, Barry serves on the Board of Directors of CenterPoint Energy, Inc, a Houston-based electric and gas utility. In 2021, CNP was the best performing utility stock in America. He previously served on the Board of NRG Energy, Inc., a large independent power producer which also owns a number of retail electric providers.
Barry is also the Chairman of BIG (Brookwood in Georgetown), a non-profit which provides work, artistic, and housing opportunities for special needs adults in central Texas. Prior to beginning public service, Barry spent 16 years as an investment banker holding leadership positions with J.P. Morgan Securities, First Boston, and Banc One Capital Markets (now part of JP MorganChase), where he was a Managing Director and National Head of the Tax-Exempt Origination Group.
Barry received his J.D. from The University of Texas School of Law, his M.P.A. from Harvard University, and his B.B.A. summa cum laude from Texas A&M University.
Lauren Thomas supports renewable energy project finance and development. Prior to Norton Rose Fulbright, Lauren interned in house with a renewable energy development company during law school, where she assisted with site control documents and other real estate matters.