Page 24 - Briefcase Volume 37 Number 2

UH LAW CENTER ALUM MCKAMIE ’86 APPOINTED TO PORT

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

Capt. Reginald E. McKamie, a 1986 graduate of the University of “It’s a challenge
Houston Law Center, was recently confirmed as a member of the Board to see whether I
of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports by Mayor Sylvester can advocate my
Turner and the Houston City Council. client’s position,”
“I am humbled and honored to be given the privilege to serve our region McKamie said.
as a Pilot Board Commissioner,” McKamie said. “I was a merchant “Whether it’s a
marine ship’s officer when I came to Houston to attend the University of maritime case,
Houston Law Center with the simple dream of becoming a lawyer. commercial case
or criminal case.
“I must admit as a young law student I really did not truly appreciate the Trying to get the
vast opportunities the Law Center provides its graduates. I now realize story across about
the University of Houston Law Center provides great opportunities to what happened
its graduates because of its great faculty and staff and because of it being and my client’s
situated in such a dynamic city.” perspective on it.”
The pilot board has exclusive jurisdiction over the piloting of vessels in Prior to attending
Harris County Ports, including intermediate stops and landing places for law school
vessels on navigable streams wholly or partially located in the board’s and earning
jurisdiction. an MBA from
Harris County Ports include the 52-mile long Houston Ship Channel, the University
the largest port on the Gulf coast. The economic value to the Gulf coast of Southern
region is valued at $118 Billion. More than 212 million tons of cargo California,
move through the ship channel annually. McKamie Capt. Reginald E. McKamie ‘86

“The Ship Channel is one of the main drivers that make our dynamic completed his
undergraduate education at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1975.
city and our area such an economic force for our region,” McKamie said. He returned to sea after earning his J.D. as captain of the S/S Exxon
“This appointment will allow me to use the maritime skills I learned at North Slope, S/S/ Exxon Philadelphia and the S/S Exxon Bencia. The
the U. S. Merchant Marine Academy and legal skills learned at the Law ships he commanded carried more than 1 million barrels of oil from
Center to give back to the city and region that has allowed me to live my Alaska to the lower 48 states and Panama. The ships were more than 900
dream of being both a lawyer and a mariner.” feet long, 135 feet wide, and when fully loaded sat 58 feet deep in the
Since 1989, McKamie has owned the Law Office of Reginald E. water. McKamie also served in the U. S. Navy as a commanding officer
McKamie, Sr. P.C. in Houston. His primary areas of practice are of active duty and reserve units and retired as a captain from the U. S.
maritime law and cases that involve collisions and personal injury. He Navy.
said his favorite part of being an attorney is trial work.

KENYAN SENATORS LEARN ABOUT ENERGY PRACTICES IN TEXAS

DURING UH LAW CENTER VISIT

A delegation representing the Senate Standing Committee on regulations and best practices that will successfully support oil and gas
Energy from the Republic of Kenya met with several individuals at production in Kenya. The UH Law Center has the expertise that they
the University of Houston Law Center last week to examine energy need. It was a great visit and we hope the beginning of a continuing
utilization, access, development and conservation in Texas. relationship.”
The committee was greeted by Karen Jones, Executive Director of The officials had discussions regarding the energy industry. Research
Global and Graduate Programs in the Albertus Room. Assistant Professor Julian Cardenas Garcia and Law Foundation
“It is always great to welcome delegates from other countries to the UH Professor of Law Bret Wells, and UH visiting faculty Thomas Mitro also
Law Center,” Jones said. “We were particularly excited about hosting the gave them an overview of the Environment, Energy & Natural Resources
Kenyan delegation knowing that they sought knowledge and expertise Center at the Law Center..
from our Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Law Center. The group’s visit concluded with a tour of the Law Center.
Kenya is relatively new in the oil and gas production arena.
“It is important that they gain an understanding of strategy, compliance,

24 Briefcase 2019