Counting BP, ConocoPhillips and CenterPoint Energy, to name a few, among its key roster of clients, Baker Botts L.L.P. is instructed by major market players to handle bet-the-company transactions in the oil and gas sector, advising on the full spectrum of matters, including M&A structuring, federal and state tax support and regulatory guidance. With demonstrable experience across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, the team advises on mandates concerning all forms of financing, commercial agreements, equity investments, restructuring and royalty transactions. In the firm's Houston office, Jason Bennett focuses on the development and financing of LNG projects, joint ventures and transactions, while Washington DC-based senior counsel Steven Miles is an industry veteran, who advises on matters arising out of the LNG, natural gas and renewable energy industries. In Houston, Erin Hopkins handles commercial issues involving the acquisition and divestiture of energy companies and joint venture arrangements, and Scott Looper focuses on midstream and LNG project development, while Dallas-based Jonathan Platt represents private equity funds in acquisitions, investments and general corporate matters in the energy sector.

The ‘top-notch team’ at Kirkland & Ellis LLP represents major players in the oil and gas market on large-scale transactions, with demonstrable experience advising energy companies and private equity funds and standout expertise in asset-backed deals involving assets located in significant domestic shale and conventional plays, as well as the Gulf of Mexico. Other key areas of focus include M&A, private equity, fund formations, capital markets, project finance and restructuring. Andrew Calder, who advises on high-value M&A, securities law and corporate governance matters, jointly leads the team alongside Anthony Speier, who is an expert in acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures. David Castro handles the purchase and sale of various assets in the midstream and upstream oil and gas sector, while Sean Wheeler’s practice includes securities offerings, M&A and corporate governance work. William Benitez advises on energy transactions related to venture capital investments, leveraged buyouts and recapitalizations and Lindsey Jaquillard focuses on acquisitions and joint ventures in the upstream oil and gas market. All named partners are based in the firm’s Houston office. Rahul Vashi left the firm in May 2023.

Latham & Watkins LLP’s ‘laser-focused’ team acts for its roster of clients across the full range of energy and infrastructure mandates, including the entire oil and gas value chain, from exploration and midstream infrastructure to LNG, refining and petrochemicals. Counting domestic and cross-border M&A, joint ventures and capital markets transactions in its workload, key clients include private and public oil and gas companies, private equity sponsors and lenders. In the firm's New York office, Eli Katz jointly leads the team alongside Justin Stolte, who advises on M&A, joint ventures and alternative finance transactions across the energy sector. John Greer has considerable experience in transactions involving exploration, pipelines and oilfield service companies and Ryan Maierson specializes in M&A and corporate finance, while Lauren Anderson specializes in private equity transactions, M&A and general corporate matters. Stephen Szalkowski focuses on acquisitions, joint ventures and private equity investments and James Garrett is frequently involved in landmark M&A transactions in the energy sector. Associate Ashley Nguyen has broad domestic and cross-border experience concerning strategic transactions in the energy and infrastructure sectors. All named lawyers are based in Houston, unless stated otherwise.

Counting large-scale oil and gas exploration and production companies, pipelines, oilfield services companies, commercial banks and private equity firms among its key roster of clients, Vinson & Elkins LLP has a strong track record in handling high-stakes transactions, with experience in the purchase and financing of oil and gas assets and projects. Keith Fullenweider works with private equity firms on investments, financings and exit transactions. Kaam Sahely represents investors and developers in energy and infrastructure investments and projects, and Danielle Patterson is another key contact for handling M&A, private equity investments, joint ventures and project development transactions in the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors. Bryan Loocke is another key contact in the group. All named lawyers are based in the firm’s Houston office. John Connally has left the firm.

Akin handles domestic and cross-border transactions in the oil and gas, petrochemicals, liquefied natural gas, coal, utilities, renewable energy sectors, with a strong track record in high-end M&A and divestiture transactions. The team’s expertise extends to purchase and sale agreements, lease acquisition agreements, joint exploration and development agreements, mineral title issues, in addition to day-to-day operations. In the firm’s New York office, Zachary Wittenberg jointly leads the practice alongside Dallas-based Wesley Williams, who specializes in structuring transactions in the upstream and midstream oil & gas sectors. In Houston, John Goodgame assists clients in navigating M&A and joint ventures arising out of the energy sector. Dallas-based Jessica Hammons, who is an expert in securities M&A transactions in the upstream and midstream energy sectors, is another key contact in the group. David Sweeney left the firm in June 2023.

Bracewell LLP acts for domestic and international clients on the full range of oil and gas transactions, covering upstream, midstream and downstream mandates. Key areas of expertise advising on the full lifecycle of midstream projects, including sale of assets, development, permitting and financing matters, in addition to assisting major financial institutions on standardized and structured oil and gas transactions. Alan Rafte advises on carbon capture projects, as well as pipelines, upstream oil and gas projects and merchant fossil fuel electric generation facilities. Rafte co-leads the practice alongside James McAnelly, who handles the purchase, sale and financing of oil and gas exploration. Cleland Dade represents major energy companies in acquisitions and divestitures, while Jason Jean has experience in M&A in the upstream and midstream energy sector. Molly Butkus is another key contact in the group, specializing in all aspects of upstream and midstream transactions. All named lawyers are based in Houston.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP acts for leading oil and gas exploration, development and production companies, as well as oilfield services and equipment companies, pipeline corporations and downstream entities on a wide range of transactions and project developments in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. Practice chair Michael Darden focuses on domestic and international oil and gas ventures and infrastructure projects, in addition to asset acquisitions and energy financings. Michael De Voe Piazza joined the firm from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in March 2022, boasting the practice’s expertise in handling private equity mandates arising out of the energy sector, and Rahul Vashi joined from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2023. All named partners operate from the Houston office.

Norton Rose Fulbright acts throughout the value chain for its client roster, consisting of large-scale oil and gas companies, energy associations and oilfield service corporations, as well as banks, credit agencies and other financial institutions. The team advises on a broad range of deals, including acquisitions and divestitures, in addition to the purchase and sale of assets, with LNG transactions forming a major cornerstone of the practice. Craig Vogelsang leads the team and has experience in handling transactions concerning exploration, natural gas, crude oil and hydrocarbons, while John Mauel advises on the development, finance and acquisition of domestic and international oil and gas projects, with additional experience in LNG export and receiving terminal projects. Associate Jessica Rodriguez regularly works on M&A transactions related to oil and gas properties, pipeline systems and LNG export projects. All named lawyers are based in the firm's Houston office.

 

White & Case LLP has a strong track record in handling high-value M&A, project development and joint ventures in the oil and gas sector. Counting large-scale market players across the hydrocarbon value chain among its key roster of clients, the ‘proactive’ team’s experience extends to major conventional and unconventional onshore basins in North America, in addition to offshore transactions in the Gulf of Mexico. Practice leader Jay Cuclis handles high-end transactions across the energy sector, including project development, acquisitions and divestitures. Mingda Zhao is another key name, who focuses on private equity investments and cross-border transactions. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in Houston. Christopher Richardson departed the firm in March 2024.

Holland & Knight LLP’s energy and natural resources team represents its roster of clients across the entire oil and gas value chain, handling a mixture of sophisticated transactions and day-to-day operational issues. Key areas of expertise include energy transition, in addition to joint ventures, acquisitions, lease interpretations and market value and royalty deductions. Splitting his time between the firm’s Denver and Houston offices, Seth Belzley acts for clients on M&A, joint ventures, project developments and commercial transactions, and jointly leads the practice alongside Dallas-based Robert Dougherty, who is an expert in dispositions and joint ventures relating to oil and gas properties.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is noted for its expertise in oil and gas acreage, asset acquisitions and transactions surrounding exploration, production, development and transportation. The team advises on projects concerning onshore and offshore oil and gas ventures, in addition to major LNG projects in the United States and Latin America. Ian Goldberg leads the team and advises on a broad range of energy transactions, including upstream and midstream mergers, transactions and bankruptcy proceedings, while Michael O’Leary co-heads the firm’s corporate group, with considerable experience in corporate securities and M&A transactions arising out of the energy sector. Both Goldberg and O'Leary operate from the Houston office.

McGuireWoods LLP acts for its roster of clients, including major players in the oil and gas market, across the entire value chain of oil and gas projects, including exploration, development, production, storage and transport mandates. Based in the firm’s Pittsburgh office, Anthony Carna leads the team and regularly advises public and private energy companies on M&A, joint ventures, project development and mineral conveyancing matters. Pittsburgh is also home to associate Molleigh Thomas, who focuses on M&A, asset purchases and lease transactions.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP’s energy and infrastructure group operates at the forefront of innovative transactions, with considerable experience across the upstream, midstream and downstream markets. Key areas of focus include natural gas infrastructure, securitizing producing assets, oilfield services, water infrastructure projects and joint ventures, in addition to energy sustainability, with a strong track record in the carbon capture and hydrogen markets. Global head of the firm’s energy and infrastructure group, Blake Winburne acts for private equity funds and global corporates on transactions concerning midstream transportation infrastructure, exploration and storage facilities. Based in Houston, Winburne jointly leads the team alongside Dahl Thompson.

Porter Hedges LLP counts public and private exploration and production companies, oilfield service corporations and pipeline companies, in addition to natural gas, crude oil and refined products companies, among its key roster of clients. The team also acts for private equity groups across the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors on transactions involving fund formations, sale of assets and project equity investments. Asset-backed securitizations form a large proportion of the group’s workload. Randy King, who handles a broad range of onshore and offshore energy projects in the upstream and midstream sectors, jointly leads the practice alongside Robert Thomas, who advises domestic and international oil and gas companies in all phases of the energy business, with notable expertise in the upstream and midstream arenas. Both King and Thomas are based in the Houston office.

Shearman & Sterling LLP’s acts for large-scale energy companies, private equity funds, portfolio company management teams, state-owned oil and gas companies and financial institutions on upstream, midstream and downstream mandates. Praised for her ‘phenomenal work ethic, knowledge and commercial sense’, practice leader Sarah McLean spearheads the firm’s private equity group, handling acquisition, divestitures and joint ventures for energy clients, while head of the global energy innovation practice Omar Sanji advises on M&A, joint ventures, project development and debt financing matters. Hugh Tucker and Coleson Bruce left the firm in June 2022.

Noted for its capability in handling domestic and cross-border M&A, restructuring and financing transactions, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acts for energy companies, private equity firms and their portfolio companies in the purchase and sale of oil and gas properties, industry joint ventures and project finance matters. Based in Houston, Jeff Malonson’s practice focuses on M&A, capital markets and corporate governance mandates in the midstream and LNG sectors. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca in Dallas departed in May 2023.

Based in the firm’s Houston, New York and Washington DC offices, the practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP regularly advises on cross-border transactions in the oil and gas sector, including the acquisition and divestiture of upstream and midstream assets, joint ventures, project finance, private equity funds and corporate counselling. Archie Fallon, who advises on platform investments, M&A, project development and recapitalizations, jointly leads the team alongside Jay Hughes, who focuses on public and private M&A and distressed asset acquisitions. Brad Honeycutt recently joined from Baker Botts L.L.P. and advises on private financing transactions and corporate reorganizations. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in Houston.

Operating across the entire oil and gas value chain, Winston & Strawn LLP has a strong focus on the midstream markets and advises on financings and commercial agreements concerning gathering, transportation and marketing. Praised for its ‘world-class commercial acumen’, other key areas of expertise include transactions involving interstate pipelines, crude oil gathering and LNG projects, in addition to handling mandates arising out of the oilfield services market. In the Houston office, Mike Blankenship, who focuses on corporate finance and securities law matters, co-chairs the energy and infrastructure industry group alongside New York-based Mike Pikiel and Rich Shutran. The Houston office is also home to Isaac Griesbaum, who specializes in upstream and midstream oil and gas mandates, and Chris Ferazzi, who handles M&A and private equity work for exploration and oilfield services clients. Rodney Moore and Samuel Peca joined the Dallas office from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in May 2023.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP acts for major oil and gas clients on a broad range of corporate transactions, including joint ventures, service contracts and M&A, in addition to asset management matters in the upstream and midstream sectors. The team also advises private equity firms on investments into large-scale energy projects. Team lead Jack Langlois focuses on the investment and financing of energy projects and assets in the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas sectors. Langlois operates from the firm’s office in Houston, while New York-based Parker Lee is another key contact in the group.

Milbank has demonstrable experience advising on project developments, financing transactions and M&A across the oil and gas value chain in North America. Practice head Daniel Bartfeld represents financial institutions and investment firms on multi-sourced financings and infrastructure projects with a focus on Latin America, while Daniel Michalchuk represents project sponsors and financial institutions on domestic and cross-border project financings. Bartfeld and Michalchuk operate from the firm’s office in New York.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP offers transactional advice on a range of mandates, including rate agreements and asset management agreements, in addition to the acquisition of oil and natural gas assets, with demonstrable experience advising on oil, LNG and gas-fired projects. In the firm’s Philadelphia office, Benjamin Wills handles M&A, joint ventures and securities compliance matters in the energy sector, while Washington DC-based Kirstin Gibbs represents pipelines, producers and traders on transactional mandates related to infrastructure development and asset management issues. Wills leads the team alongside Stephen Spina and Elizabeth Hanigan, who operate from Washington DC and Chicago respectively.