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From the day she was born, Betty Feng, counsel for litigation and claims at Phillips 66, was “supposed” to become a doctor. The first-generation Asian American immigrant’s father practiced medicine in China, but he wasn’t able to transfer his credentials after moving to the US. Instead, he planned for his daughter to pick up where he left off. Feng went along with the plans, even majoring in biology and pre-med early in her undergrad.
“Then I got to organic chemistry, and it was traumatizing,” Feng says, laughing while reliving the ordeal. “I really did not like it, and I couldn’t imagine doing it as a career.”
At the same time, she worked in speech and debate competitions, both judging them and mentoring competitors. She loved the art of advocacy, but it wasn’t judges she’d have the hardest challenge winning over. It was her parents.
Feng’s parents were seemingly okay with just about anything other than law. After she broke the news that medicine wasn’t for her, they tried to convince her to pursue accounting. Asian American representation in law is still, frankly, fairly uncommon. Her parents assumed that all odds would be against their daughter, and they just wanted a good life for her.
That concern was partially correct. Feng was one of the few Asian Americans, let alone females, in her law school and firm early on. She was often mistaken for a secretary while clients waited for the “real” lawyer to show up. It taught Feng the value of building a peer network, of solidarity and mentorship, which she now practices regularly.
Feng has been at Phillips 66 since 2023. The transition in-house hasn’t always been easy, but she loves the fact that she no longer “parachutes” in to handle a solitary issue and then moves on. The complexities of oil and gas (the jargon, the product streams, the multiple priorities) demand continual adaptation for the counsel, but it’s also what she loves about the job. Feng’s charge is some of the most delicate work an in-house counsel faces.
A Natural in the Water
Lawyers often get derided as “sharks,” but Betty Feng seems more like a dolphin in the water. The attorney is an avid kayaker and a decorated participant in the Buffalo Bayou Regatta, the largest kayak race in Texas, placing third in 2022. She’s also the recently elected vice chair of the board of directors for the Greens Bayou Coalition, a conservation organization that holds a similar regatta that Feng won in 2019 and 2024.
Admitting her victories doesn’t come easy. Feng’s penchant for humility is immediately evident. She only mentioned her placement in the events as an afterthought, almost as if she was embarrassed to relay them. But she hopes that more women in law will be willing to advocate for themselves, reach for what they want, and even—every once in a while—admit that they’re amazing kayakers.
“I think women often worry about being humble first,” Feng explains. “But there is a point where not advocating for yourself or highlighting your wins becomes detrimental. You don’t have to be obnoxious. But you need to cheerlead for yourself as much as you do for those around you.”
It can be a very hard job, and much like emergency room doctors or EMTs, she’s had to learn to compartmentalize. Phillips 66’s legal department is celebrated for its integrity and strategic prowess, but it’s also a place where Feng’s empathy and practical wisdom are prized. She balances compassion while steadfastly exploring all strategies available to her company where appropriate. It’s a complex position: a protector of Phillips 66’s interests and a steward of fair outcomes.
Feng began her career in plaintiff personal injury law, then joined Norton Rose Fulbright’s defense team representing Fortune 500 companies in headline-making cases. The final case she worked on before going in-house was the Travis Scott Astroworld concert litigation. Feng knows how to thrive in high-pressure situations. She’s been doing it for years.
The counsel has been recognized on multiple occasions as a “Texas Rising Star” and a “One to Watch” by Best Lawyers. The attorney jokes that her parents eventually came around to understanding that their daughter is very, very good at what she does. She’s in-house counsel for one of the largest oil and gas companies in the world.
And maybe most importantly, Feng’s open-door policy for young attorneys is ensuring that maybe more people who look like Betty Feng won’t have to argue so hard with their own parents about a career in law. She’s helping young attorneys find their voices, say yes to opportunities, and advocate for themselves even when it may feel awkward to do so. Feng found her path, and she’s now helping others do the same.
“I enjoy working with Betty. She combines exceptional organization with a practical approach to complex problems, all while making my team and I feel like trusted and valued partners in representing Phillips 66.”
–Scott Huffstetler, Partner
