Gabrielle Sitomer
Senior Counsel – HSE, Government Affairs, Climate and Sustainability
BPX Energy Inc.
Gabrielle Sitomer has 20 years of legal experience advising clients on complex litigation, oil & gas commercial matters, midstream commercial matters, regulatory compliance, ESG (environmental, social and governance) matters, environmental and safety reporting, corporate governance, crisis and continuity management, internal investigations, audits, public policy, communications, and advocacy. She consistently works directly with key senior leaders and front-line managers to enable delivery of value through safe and efficient operations and sound internal and external policy. After graduating from the University of Texas School of Law in 2003, Gabrielle began her career at Susman Godfrey L.L.P. where she represented both plaintiffs and defendants in connection with complex commercial litigation matters. In 2006 Gabrielle joined Vinson & Elkins L.L.P.’s Litigation and Environmental Regulatory Department where her practice included a mix of complex commercial litigation, environmental regulatory counseling, and environmental counseling in connection with transactions, especially for energy clients.
In 2013 Gabrielle became a member of bp’s legal department, where she has spent the last 10 years of her career counseling the company on environmental, health, and safety issues, including ESG and climate issues. Gabrielle assists in developing proactive approaches to managing regulatory issues affecting oil & gas production, including matters related to the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act, state and federal spill reporting, SPCC planning, NEPA, state oil & gas commission regulations, Bureau of Land Management regulations, Forest Service regulations, pipeline safety regulations and OSHA.
Gabrielle advises the company on development and implementation of internal requirements and standards relating to operational safety, environmental performance and risk, including the company’s operating management system (OMS). She routinely leads internal investigations, and provides legal advice in connection with internal and external environmental & safety reporting, and crisis & continuity management. She also provides legal support to the company on issues involving external affairs, policy, and communications with investors and other stakeholders. Gabrielle lives in Houston, Texas with her husband and three children. When she’s not working, or cheering for her children at a sporting event, you can find her at the barn riding her horses. Gabrielle is an accomplished equestrian with multiple national level wins.