Kelsey Machado

Kelsey represents clients on a wide range of commercial and energy matters and has built a reputation as a proficient litigator capable of managing complex disputes in various jurisdictions across the US. She has represented multi-national energy corporations, EPC contractors, drilling contractors, midstream operators, energy efficiency companies, software companies, and various other entities in the energy and construction sectors throughout the litigation process, including trials and arbitration hearings. Kelsey also has handled internal investigations and advised on compliance issues related to health and safety, whistleblower matters, and employment issues.

In addition, Kelsey has extensive experience defending class action lawsuits, challenging class certification, guiding her clients through discovery as efficiently as possible, and navigating the settlement administration process.

Alongside her professional responsibilities, Kelsey actively invests her time in advocating for women in the legal field. She is on the Board of Trustees of the Association of Women Attorneys Foundation (AWAF), the non-profit charitable arm of the Houston AWA, whose mission is to fund pro bono fellowships for recent Houston area women law graduates and scholarship for women law students. At Baker McKenzie, Kelsey co-leads the Houston BakerWomen program, a global initiative focused on supporting women throughout their careers, both through internal and client-facing programming and events. Kelsey is also invested in the growth and development of associates within her practice group, providing mentorship and guidance to junior litigators in the Texas office.

• Represented crude supplier in breach of contract dispute concerning the purchase and sale of crude and contamination allegations in Texas state court.
• Defended power trading company against peaking power plants concerning interpretation of heat rate call option contracts following Winter Storm Uri.
• Represented chemical manufacturer in defending against 28 U.S.C. § 1782 application for discovery in Delaware federal court.
• Represented multinational food and equipment distributor in data breach class action involving allegations of negligence and implied contract on behalf of employee class in Texas federal court. 
• Represented UK-based fashion retailer in reference pricing class action dispute defending against CLRA and UCL claims in California federal court.
• Represented limited partners in arbitration proceeding concerning a partnership dispute over the EPC of an NGL plant in South America.
• Conducted an internal investigation and represented EPC company regarding whistleblower hotline concerns as to safety at LNG export terminal.
• Conducted an internal investigation and represented franchisor regarding conflict of interest allegations related to franchisee territory assignments.
• Represented energy and resources software company in breach of contract dispute in Texas federal court.
• Represented EPC contractor in Oregon arbitration hearing against horizontal directional drilling subcontractor.
• Represented off-shore drilling contractor in rig assignment dispute in Houston arbitration hearing.
• Represented midstream pipeline operator against landowner in oil spill dispute in jury trial in Texas state court.
• Acted as outside general counsel for mobile fueling company to handle employment, commercial, and incident response issues.

• Named Houstonia Magazine Top Lawyer, 2022-2023
• Named to the "Ones to Watch" list by The Best Lawyers in America in the area of energy law, 2022-2024
• Named a Texas Super Lawyers "Rising Star," 2022-2025

• State Bar of Texas – Member
• Houston Bar Foundation – Fellow
• Association of Women Attorneys Foundation (AWAF) – Trustee
• Houston Bar Association – Energy & Litigation Sections
• Houston Association of Women Attorneys – Member
• Institute for Energy Law – Advisory Board Member