Legal track #1 | Session 3 - NEXT GEN AT THE HELM – CHARTING THE SEAS FOR ENERGY TRANSITION IN UNSETTLED WATERS
Organized by the Environment and Energy Law and the Transport and Logistics Law Commissions + the Sustainability Board
DATE & TIME
LOCATION
🗓️ Wednesday, August 27 🕐 10:00-11:00 EDT
📍Waldorf Astoria
DESCRIPTION
In order to meet the ambitious climate targets set by countries around the world, rapid developments across multiple sectors are required. But with many gaps in the law still existing and shifting political priorities, can these developments occur rapidly enough to meet the targets? This panel will focus on how the energy and transportation sectors, in particular, are grappling with the challenges of meeting climate change goals amidst global political uncertainty. Panelists will discuss pressing issues related to the development and use of alternative fuels, revamped infrastructure, and grid stability, among others, and will explore how ESG mandates help (or hinder) in the face of continuing gaps in the legal framework. The session will also assess how policymakers all over the globe are working to find suitable regulations to achieve climate targets and thus shape energy law for the Next Generation. This dynamic session will allow attendees to learn what can and will be expected in terms of energy law for the next 25 years.
SPEAKERS
José Francisco Iturrizaga
Deloitte, Peru
Bio
José Francisco is the leading partner at Deloitte Legal Peru, specializing in Corporate Law and M&A, with over 15 years of experience advising local and international companies. His expertise spans corporate, financial, and regulatory law, including the establishment of various investments in Peru and overseeing complex M&A transactions from start to finish. He also provides extensive regulatory consulting, including compliance and personal data protection.
José Francisco has contributed to the development of energy and electricity projects in Peru, assisting with securing permits, licenses, and sector-specific authorizations. He has served as the primary legal advisor for companies in industries such as energy, agriculture, and technology. A graduate of the University of Lima and a member of the Lima Bar Association (CAL), José Francisco holds an LL.M. from IE Law School in Madrid, where he was recognized as an inspiration to the institution in 2022. In addition to his legal practice, he is a professor of Corporate Law IV (Securities) at the University of Lima’s Faculty of Law. With his deep expertise and leadership, José Francisco remains a key figure in the Peruvian legal landscape.
Lotte Schat
AKD, Netherlands
Bio
Lotte is an experienced litigation and contracting lawyer specialising in international commercial matters. Her expertise extends to handling complex international arbitration cases and representing clients in the Dutch courts, including exequatur proceedings and securing interim measures. Lotte’s extensive transactional experience with high-value commercial contracts ensures that she is involved from the start to the completion of projects, offering comprehensive legal support.
Having previously headed the legal department of one of Europe’s largest shipyards, Lotte has in-depth understanding of the impact, commercial imperatives, and the dynamics of disputes. This gives her valuable insights into the drivers for decision-making and the significance of maintaining commercial relations between the parties involved. Lotte’s broader perspective and her straightforward advice make her an indispensable asset to her clients. Additionally, Lotte brings extensive industry knowledge and legal experience in the energy & offshore, maritime and yachting industries.
Tunji Adeyemi
Banwo & Ighodalo, Nigeria
Bio
Tunji is a highly accomplished transport lawyer with extensive expertise in shipping and aviation law. As a pioneer member of the Shipping, Aviation, and International Trade Practice Team at Banwo & Ighodalo, Nigeria’s leading commercial law firm, he has played a pivotal role in its ascent to Tier 1 ranking in shipping and transport law for over seven years. He is also a Dabelstein & Passehl Shipping Insurance Scholar, the first from Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. Tunji has advised on landmark shipping transactions, including two of Nigeria’s top three greenfield port development projects. He also provided critical legal guidance on charterparty agreements for the international transport of equipment for Nigeria’s recently commissioned oil refinery, the largest in Africa.
Additionally, Tunji contributed to the World Bank’s advisory on trade policies, focusing on import restrictions and tariff issues in Nigeria. He continues to advise a broad range of clients, including shipping companies, airlines, financial institutions, and government agencies. Recognized by the World Bank for his contributions to the Doing Business Report and named a Next Generation Partner in Shipping & Transport by Legal 500 EMEA 2025, Tunji is a sought-after speaker at both local and international conferences.
Tobias Beimel
Fleet Hamburg, Germany
Bio
Tobias is a Senior Associate at the maritime law firm FLEET Hamburg. He represents clients in litigation and advises on all facets of maritime law, as well as offshore construction, international commercial, and insurance law. He has particular expertise in regulatory frameworks, with a focus on sustainable shipping legislation such as the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and FuelEU Maritime. Tobias is a frequent speaker on these regulatory matters and conducts in-house training sessions for clients. Having worked as a shipping clerk at a leading container shipping line prior to his legal career, Tobias brings valuable industry insights to his daily legal practice.
SESSION COORDINATOR AND MODERATORS
Gretta Walters
Chaffetz Lindsey LLP, USA
Bio
Gretta Walters is a Partner at Chaffetz Lindsey in New York. Her experience as counsel and arbitrator spans a broad range of commercial and investment disputes in domestic and international arbitration and in state and federal courts. Her cases have included disputes concerning construction/infrastructure projects, energy/oil & gas projects, licensing and distribution agreements, life sciences, banking and finance, securities laws, manufacturing and sales contracts, and employee and executive compensation agreements. Among other activities, Gretta is an adjunct professor at New York University Law School, where she teaches international arbitration and coaches the Vis International Commercial Arbitration moot court team. She is also Chair of the Arbitration Committee of the NY City Bar Association and Secretary of the NY Branch of Ciarb. Gretta regularly speaks at international arbitration-related conferences and co-authored Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and Judgments in New York (Kluwer 2018). Gretta has been recognized by Chambers, Legal 500 USA, and Latinvex and repeatedly selected as one of the “Most Highly Regarded Future Leaders for the Americas” by Who’s Who Legal. Prior to joining Chaffetz Lindsey, Gretta worked at a major international law firm, as Legal Counsel at the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, and as a Visiting Lecturer at Stockholm University.
Kierstan Carlson
Blank Rome LLP, USA
Bio
Kierstan Carlson is a Partner and Vice Chair of the Maritime Practice Group at Blank Rome LLP. Kierstan’s practice includes complex domestic and cross-border litigation and arbitration, as well as high-stakes government investigations, and she has extensive experience representing clients in the shipping, logistics, energy, and commodities sectors. Kierstan has been a key team member in the firm’s representation of clients in high-profile maritime casualties and limitation of liaiblity actions, has overseen dozens of cases involving environmental and safety laws, such as MARPOL, the Clean Water Act, and the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, and has advised clients in investigations involving U.S. economic sanctions, the False Claims Act (“FCA”), the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), international trade and customs fraud, and other regulatory violations. Kierstan has been recognized as a “Next Generation Partner” by The Legal 500. In addition to her work with AIJA, Kierstan is on the yCMI standing commmittee of the Comité Maritime International (CMI) and an active member of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). She also is passionate about providing pro bono legal services and regularly represents clients in asylum matters, including affirmative cases before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and defensive cases before the U.S. Immigration Court.