Sophie Ellinghouse is WSPA’s Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.  Sophie provides multi-faceted experience and perspective to the legislative and regulatory landscape in California and the Western States.

Sophie served as WSPA’s Associate Counsel for nearly 4 years prior to becoming General Counsel. In this role, Sophie assisted the General Counsel with all legal matters that impact the oil and petroleum industry, including managing statutory and regulatory issues, providing counsel to WSPA staff, supporting the advocacy mission of WSPA and helping to manage and enforce WSPA’s antitrust compliance program.

Prior to joining WSPA, Sophie’s skills were honed at the California Energy Commission and California Air Resources Board, and subsequently as an Associate with the Mitchell Chadwick law firm where she was responsible for CEQA review and litigation as well as the drafting of various types of contracts, conservation easements and license agreements. She was also engaged in all aspects of the permitting process relating to conditional use permits, reclamation plans, cultural resources and tribal lands evaluation, wetlands/stream alteration permits, water quality permits, air quality permits, and state and federal Endangered Species Act permits.

She earned her of Bachelor of Arts in political science and international relations, as well as her Juris Doctor degree, at the University of California, Davis. Outside of work, Sophie enjoys spending time with her husband, Mark and daughter, Delilah.