Xavier Jordan – Sensia

Xavier Jordan’s journey to becoming deputy general counsel at Sensia is defined by curiosity, adaptability and a continuous quest for challenges. Originally from Cleveland, Jordan’s path started at the University of Notre Dame, where he studied biochemistry and Chinese with an initial eye on a career in science. He was captivated by the potential of scientific discovery, even spending a summer in a lab working on a drug delivery system to help medicine penetrate cell membranes.

Xavier Jordan | Sensia | Deputy General Counsel

However, long hours alone in the lab and the protracted timelines of research did not align with his need for dynamic problem-solving. A career in law had always been in the background, Jordan says, and eventually, it beckoned him. Transitioning to law, Jordan earned a JD from Notre Dame Law School and spent six years in private practice, focusing on corporate law and M&A deals, before pivoting to in-house counsel roles.

This journey eventually led him to Sensia in March 2019, where he played a key role in the formation and integration teams that launched the company. He oversaw the carveout of SLB’s contributed assets to the joint venture and helped establish core legal policies.

“Having an opportunity to help stand up a company rarely comes along, and I was thrilled to join this team on a brand new adventure,” Jordan says.

Sensia, headquartered in Houston, is a joint venture formed by Rockwell Automation and Schlumberger, designed to be the leading provider of services and solutions in the oil and gas production industry. The company leverages its expertise in automation, digital solutions and oilfield technology to deliver comprehensive end-to-end systems that optimize the performance, safety and efficiency of oil and gas operations. Its portfolio includes control and safety systems, measurement and lift control equipment, software and services to support the full lifecycle of oil and gas assets, from design and production to maintenance and optimization, ensuring sustainable and streamlined operations.

New company, same challenges

At Sensia, a relatively young company, Jordan faces various unique challenges ranging from managing a global intellectual property portfolio, developing a SaaS legal framework, building an ethical culture, and expanding Sensia’s reach into new markets like Libya. In Tripoli, the office aims to facilitate the sale of Sensia products and services. Jordan was instrumental in negotiating the company’s first multi-million measurement equipment project with a Libyan joint venture.

Sensia’s identity is rooted in “Sensing, intelligence, Action,” as it develops advanced solutions for the oil and gas sector, protecting the underlying IP is a crucial priority.

“Our salespeople come up with these names and fall in love with them, so we have to do our best to protect them,” he says with a smile, referring to their software products like Avalon.

But with Sensia’s global reach, there is always a risk of other companies infringing on its trademarks. While Sensia hasn’t yet encountered major infringements, Jordan takes preemptive steps, with watchlists in place to monitor trademark filings.

“We just don’t want our customers to be confused or our brand to be diluted,” he explains, underscoring the effort Sensia puts into safeguarding its reputation and proprietary innovations.

In addition to his IP responsibilities, Jordan is deeply involved in Sensia’s ethics and compliance programs. As Sensia launches its annual ethics training, he’s worked tirelessly with vendors to make the content engaging and relevant, covering topics like anti-bribery, gifts and hospitality and the broader aspects of the company’s code of conduct. These trainings are mandatory, but they’re far more than just a checkbox activity for Jordan.

“We want people to think about how we’re acting in regards to each other, our vendors and making decisions that will help our business thrive,” he says.

Jordan says he approaches these trainings with a balanced touch, knowing that while compliance is crucial, overwhelming employees can be counterproductive. He focused on creating an environment where people feel comfortable reach out with questions about trade compliance or conflicts of interest without fear of judgment. His aim is to build a culture of thoughtful integrity where employees are empowered to make decisions that, as he puts it, pass the smell test.

Another significant aspect of Jordan’s role also involves navigating the complexities of cybersecurity and building Sensia’s software agreement ecosystem to cover the various licensing, sale, reselling and development projects it engages in.  As Sensia’s operations become increasingly digital, the protection of customer data and proprietary information is paramount.

“The digital field is always expanding, and with every new feature, a new risk pops up,” Jordan says. “We have to keep up,” Jordan explains.

With an ever-evolving landscape of threats, Jordan emphasizes the importance of educating colleagues on the risks while also putting strong safeguards in place to mitigate potential breaches. He has become something of an expert on the matter, continuously updating Sensia’s digital policies and agreements to adapt to new challenges.

Adapting and evolving

Jordan’s commitment to Sensia’s culture extends beyond policies and procedures; he is an advocate for hybrid work, a structure Sensia adopted after the COVID-19 pandemic reshaped workplace norms.

“We’re very productive working this way,” he says. “This flexibility has become a cornerstone of our corporate culture.”

As a member of the hybrid work committee, Jordan represents employees’ interests while providing management with insights on how remote work impacts productivity. Sensia has downsized its office space, but Jordan enjoys the balance he’s found. He spends a few days each week on-site while connecting with colleagues across the globe through Teams. He notes that hybrid work has fostered greater inclusivity, allowing employees worldwide to feel equally connected.

Beyond his formal responsibilities, Jordan is a dedicated mentor. He takes pride in his role as a guide for young attorneys and finds fulfillment in helping them navigate the pressures of the legal profession. He emphasizes the importance of being adaptable and ready for change, a mindset that he embraced throughout his career. Jordan often shares his experience with younger colleagues, reminding them that they are not expected to have all the answers.

“Young attorneys think their clients are expecting them to know everything,” he notes, encouraging them to embrace the process of knowing and growing.

Despite his extensive knowledge and experience gained over his nearly 20-year career, Jordan remains humble, regularly seeking advice from trusted mentors, including his wife, Chantel Jordan, also a lawyer.

“We provide each other with sanity checks when the demands of our careers become overwhelming,” he says.

With his calm and steady approach, Jordan has earned the trust of colleagues across Sensia. They value him not only as a legal resource but as a dependable presence, someone who reassures them that no challenge is insurmountable.

Jordan’s journey is one of constant evolution, from his early fascination with science to his decision to pursue law and now, his role as a versatile leader at Sensia. In every chapter of his career, he has brought a problem-solving mindset, a dedication to integrity and a commitment to helping others grow. Whether he’s guiding the company’s compliance initiatives, protecting its IP or mentoring the next generation of legal professionals, Jordan’s impact on Sensia is profound and enduring.

“A great thing about my job is that you’ll never be bored doing it. There is always a new problem to solve,” Jordan says.