Lance Ream, an associate in the Denver office whose practice focuses on commercial litigation, recently completed a three-month secondment with Xcel Energy. Xcel Energy is a Fortune 500 company which provides gas and electric utility services in eight states. It is the largest energy provider in Colorado. Over the course of his secondment, Lance worked as an in-house attorney with Xcel Energy's legal department, handling a variety of issues, including litigation, compliance, and tax matters. He also advised Xcel Energy management and employees on a daily basis regarding business transactions and company initiatives. Lance was the first attorney selected to participate in the Xcel Energy secondment program.
The secondment program was implemented to promote diversity and inclusiveness. Xcel Energy has long supported diversity in the legal profession. Gordon & Rees also supports this effort and recently received the 2011-2012 Diversity Leadership Award from the Colorado and Denver Bar Associations. The secondment program was a collaboration between Xcel Energy and Gordon & Rees showing their shared commitment to diversity and inclusiveness. It allowed Lance, who worked as outside counsel on Xcel Energy matters prior to the program, to develop further relationships and obtain in-depth institutional knowledge about the company. This will further the relationship between Xcel Energy and Gordon & Rees as Lance returns to his role as outside counsel.
For more about diversity at Gordon & Rees click here.