John Ngunjiri
John Ngunjiri
Biography
John Ngunjiri is an associate in Norton Rose Fulbright's Houston office.
Prior to joining the firm, John worked for a global energy company as a projects contracting intelligence lead.
John concentrates his practice primarily on domestic and international energy and infrastructure deals, including mergers and acquisitions and multi-jurisdictional corporate matters. He advises clients on complex commercial and transactional matters across a variety of industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy and financial institutions, with a focus on structuring, negotiating and executing contracts related to capital projects development and project financing, including joint ventures, project development agreements, procurement and risk allocation.
John brings a distinctive perspective to his legal practice, shaped by nearly two decades of experience as a project management professional in the global energy space. Prior to entering legal practice, he worked in multidisciplinary teams on large-scale energy and infrastructure projects across multiple jurisdictions. His prior experiences in project management range from costs and schedule estimating and controls, execution planning, contracts and risk distribution negotiations, contracts development and administration, projects financing, design development, engineering management, procurement and materials management, construction and commissioning, document controls, and construction safety, health, environment and security.
While working full-time in the energy industry, John earned his J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center, equipping him with a deep understanding of both the legal and operational dimensions of energy transactions and infrastructure projects.
Professional experience
Representative experience
Representative experience
- Represent client in developing Construction Contracts in five different international jurisdictions
- Represented lenders on a major cross-border LNG and pipelines venture (estimated over US$20B)
- Representing global development financial institution on major cross-border methanol plant project
- Represented lenders in largest equity & non-recourse debt financed greenfield U.S. LNG venture (over US$18.5B)
- Represented client in assets acquisition and growth strategy in lithium and bromine mining space
- Represented client in establishing a Carbon Capture & Sequestration program by developing pore space leasing agreements
- Represent client in annual analyses, reviews and critiques of ESG & SSHE Reports for incorporation into Corporate Annual Reports
- Represented client in setting up NGOs in Africa for its extension of medical research and on-the-ground facilities installations
- Successfully negotiated favorable settlement agreement in a construction contract dispute and removal of fraudulent liens
- Represented international equity financier in funding (each averaging $0.5M each) several international start-ups companies
- Developed and executed Simple Agreement for Future Equity (SAFE) on behalf of several investor clients
- Represented seller in divestiture of its entire Gulf of Mexico and Permian assets portfolio worth several billion US dollars
- Represent client in its midstream operations (Crude Oil gathering system and pipelines) transportation services agreements
- Developed, negotiated and executed several long-term LNG Offtake (Sales & Purchase) Agreements
- Represented seller in divestiture of Oil and Gas assets in Colombia (valued at approx. $150M)
- Represented client in acquisition of working interest in offshore Gulf of Mexico blocks, including legal research on financial assurances and bonding requirements, regulatory permits requirements, and decommissioning obligations
- Developed, negotiated and executed a License Collaboration Agreement for technology client to deploy its licensed model
- Pro Bono – Assisted in setting up Trusts for victims and survivors of the Uvalde School shootings in Texas
Education
Education
- LL.M, Energy, Environmental, and Natural Resources, University of Houston Law Center, 2021
- JD, University of Houston Law Center, 2021
- Grad. Cert. in Energy Risk Management, University of Houston Bauer College of Business, 2006
- M.Eng, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering, Cornell University, 2004
- BS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Kansas State University, 2002
Admissions
Admissions
- Missouri State Bar
- Texas State Bar
Publications
Publications
The Transatlantic Divide in ESG Disclosure Requirements: Why This Matters to Global Businesses - Business Law Today from ABA
Speaking engagements
Speaking engagements
Negotiations Coach for Joint Operating Agreements - "Drafting & Negotiating International Energy Agreements" course at University of Houston Law Center - Spring 2023, 2024, 2025
Panelist on "Transactional Practice Panel for Law Students" - University of Houston Law Center - Fall 2023, 2024
"The Modern Courtroom: The future of Zoom and AI in the Courtroom" - Moderator for panel of Judges at the Garland Walker Inn of Court (Feb 2024)
"Negotiating JOAs and Joint Ventures" - Coach for UHLC team for the Negotiating International O&G Contracts course (Jan 2024)
"Lawyer Wellness Program: A discussion on lawyer well-being with UHLC 1L students" - University of Houston Law Center (Oct 2023)
"The benefits of joining Bar Associations while in Law School" - Panelist for the Hispanic Law Students Association at South Texas College of Law (Sept 2023)
University of Houston Law Center - LLM Students Graduating Class Speaker - May 2022 UHLC graduation.
10th Contract & Risk Management for Construction and Capital Projects: Traversing Contract Language and Clauses to Mitigate Delays and Terminations while Maximizing Opportunities - Managing Risk by Following the Right Risk Register Review to Update Contracts and Determine Best Approach in Mitigating Downfalls - Sept. 2020.
10th Contract & Risk Management for Construction and Capital Projects: Examining the Impact of the Crash of Oil and Gas Prices in the Industry to Determine Next Steps - 2020.
ExxonMobil Inclusion and Diversity Workshop: Resilience in times of Adversity - COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Workplace Dynamics - Nov. 2020.
Memberships and activities
Memberships and activities
Current:
- Co-Chair – Houston Bar Association Golf Tournament Committee
- Board Member & Director – Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA)
- Board Member – State Bar of TX Legal Services to the Poor I Civil Matters Committee
- Board Member – Houston Lawyer Referral Service
- Advisory Board Member – Institute for Energy Law (IEL)
- Member and Leader for Young Negotiators Board – AIEN
- Board Member – Univ. of Houston Law Center Alumni Board
- Trustee – Univ. of Houston Law Center BLSA Advisory Board
In Law School:
- Managing Editor, Houston Journal of Health Law and Policy
- President, Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN)
- Chief Technology Officer, Board of Advocates at UHLC
- Student Rep, Energy and Environmental Law Society
- Member, Intellectual Property Students Organization
Languages
Languages
- English
- French
- Swahili
Insights and news
News
