Events
Jenny Speck to Speak at Lockton U.S. Energy Risk Summit
Partner Jenny Speck will speak at Lockton’s U.S. Energy Risk Summit on November 12, 2026, in Houston, Texas. The summit …
November 12, 2026
November 12, 2026 • 1-minute read
1. Understand the Stakes
In energy contracts, venue selection clauses — language specifying how and where disputes will be heard — are sometimes seen as boilerplate. Yet they can play a critical role in energy litigation, affecting procedure, timing, cost, decision-maker expertise, and ultimately the outcome.
Energy companies would be wise to think strategically about venue selection, drafting clauses to be clear, mandatory, enforceable, and aligned with their interests. Thinking through venue selection at the outset of contract negotiation can save substantial time and money should a dispute arise, while increasing leverage and reducing risk.
2. Texas Business Court: Track Evolving Developments
The Texas Business Court’s experienced judiciary, efficient procedures, and faster timelines to resolution have made it an attractive venue for litigating energy disputes, especially for litigants aiming to move quickly to trial. But having been open only since September 2024, the Court is very much in a formative stage, with an expanding jurisdiction and a growing body of case law.
Energy companies contemplating the Texas Business Court as a dispute venue should pay close attention to the latest developments. As the Court’s reputation grows, its rules and procedures will likely continue to evolve, and its written opinions on substantive issues will provide more insight into how it interprets and applies the law.
3. Delaware: Include a Superior Court Contingency
Energy disputes are frequently litigated in Delaware, not just because many energy companies are incorporated there, but because the courts are sophisticated, the case law is deep, and the procedures are predictable. However, the state’s highly respected Court of Chancery is an equity court, so it generally does not hear cases where the primary relief sought is money damages.
Energy companies negotiating for mandatory jurisdiction in the Court of Chancery should thus include a contingency for another court, and should consider including the Delaware Superior Court CCLD as another potential venue. Without this contingency, parties involved in a claim for monetary damages could find themselves stuck in a protracted, expensive fight over jurisdiction before even getting to the merits.
4. State Court vs. Federal Court: Contract for Limited Jurisdiction
Sophisticated litigants sometimes wish to be in federal court over state court for a variety of reasons. But energy disputes sometimes fail to meet the requirements for federal court jurisdiction, and federal court jurisdiction cannot be obtained solely by party consent — there must be an independent basis for subject matter jurisdiction.
For this reason, venue selection clauses specifying mandatory jurisdiction in federal court should always include a fallback jurisdiction. Filing in federal court when jurisdiction is lacking could compel the court to dismiss the case and increase litigation costs at the outset.
5. Arbitration: Build In Specifics
There are several advantages to arbitration: more robust confidentiality, efficient case resolution with finality, and decision-makers with subject matter expertise. Energy contracts often include arbitration clauses, even though appellate rights in arbitration are limited.
Each major U.S. arbitral body provides an enforceable form clause for selecting its rules to govern the arbitration. Yet these clauses are far from exhaustive or one-size-fits-all. So, energy companies preferring arbitration as their chosen forum may wish to build in language on a range of important considerations: governing rules, arbitrator selection, disclosure, hearing scope, discovery, seat of arbitration, and more.
This information is provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended, nor should it be construed, as legal advice.
