Bracewell LLP > Austin, United States > Firm Profile

Bracewell LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 1

Bracewell LLP is renowned for its strength in handling regulation surrounding the development and operation of pipeline infrastructure. With a client roster including midstream giants such as El Paso Natural Gas and Kinder Morgan, the team handles a broad range of large-scale projects, day-to-day operations, commercial opportunities and other ongoing regulatory and commercial requirements. Enforcement and appeals of regulatory decisions are also key areas of focus and the recent arrival of both Catherine Little and Annie Cook from Troutman Pepper has granted the firm a significant pipeline and LNG safety regulation practice. Mark Lewis heads the team and focuses on commercial and regulatory matters for oil and gas pipelines and other midstream clients, while Kirk Morgan acts for pipelines and project developers on jurisdictional issues, rate options, regulated practices and business opportunities. Michael Brooks advises on compliance with federal rules and regulation governing commodities and derivatives, as well as providing representation in investigations and enforcement proceedings. All named practitioners operate from the firm's office in Washington DC.

Energy > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP‘s litigators are well known for their ‘excellent team work’  in representing industry-leading companies in complex disputes, such as representing global power producers in litigation and arbitration throughout the US and before state and federal bodies. The team has experience in acting both for plaintiffs and defendants, and in a stand-out mandate is representing Tenaska Power Services Co against Olin Corporation in the Texas ERCOT market after being named in various suits alleging wrongful death, personal injury and property damage; this is one of the first matters to address responsibility of ancillary service imbalance charges that accrued during Winter Storm Uri in February 2021. Houston-based Stephen Crain, chair of the firm’s litigation group, represents developers and producers, commodity traders and suppliers to the energy industry. Deanna King in Austin advises domestic and foreign energy industry clients in regulatory and compliance matters, and litigation, having appeared before FERC and other state and federal agencies. Andrew Zeve in Houston handles disputes related to the oil and gas industry. In Washington DC, Charles R. Mills joined from Steptoe LLP in March 2022.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP is based in Washington, DC and represents electric transmission and distribution utilities, independent power producers, power marketers and investors in energy companies before FERC and CFTC. The firm has a dedicated practice in regulatory matters related to renewable generation, and is chaired by Catherine McCarthy   who has experience with FERC and state authorizations for major projects and transactions. Deanna King , based in Austin, has over two decades of experience in representation and counsel of domestic and foreign energy industry clients in regulatory compliance, with Theodore Duver focused on representing energy companies and investor-owned and cooperative utilities in matters implicating state and federal regulatory issues. Seattle-based Tyler S. Johnson made partner in January 2023 and is noted for his prowess in compliance matters pertaining to the Federal Power Act, as well as contentious matters before the FERC.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP‘s electricity transactional group is led by Ryan Holcomb  in Houston, with the team representing clients in transactions including generation involving all fuel types, transmission, acquisitions and divestitures of power assets, joint ventures, equity investments, project finance and project development. Danielle M. Varnell (based in Washington, DC) has experience in energy M&A, including both development stage and operating projects, while Alan Rafte, who is situated in Houston, serves clients in transactions that involve offshore and wind generation facilities. Laura D. Sheldon, in Washington DC, stands out for her work in sale and purchase of conventional power and renewable energy assets, corporate governance and project development.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

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.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Bracewell LLP has a strong presence in Texas and Washington DC and acts for high-profile oil and gas, and pipeline companies on infrastructure development, climate change regulation, liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, enforcement issues and carbon sequestration. Its client roster also includes businesses in the renewables, chemicals, manufacturing and technology sectors, and the team includes government and regulatory agency alumni. The practice is led by Jason Hutt and Jeffrey Holmstead, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions, and Holmstead a key name for climate change and CAA matters. Brittany Pemberton has notable experience of compliance and enforcement matters, and in assisting associations participating in the federal rulemaking process. Austin’s Timothy Wilkins is recommended for permitting, energy transition matters and ESG issues, and also advises clients on disputes and transactional matters. Catherine Little and Annie Cook joined from Troutman Pepper in June 2022 and in August of the same year, Steven Cook joined as of counsel from the EPA in Houston. Named attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Praised as an ‘excellent team’, who are ‘strong and effective’, Bracewell LLP acts for industry leaders in the oil and gas sector, such as Chevron and Apache, in high-profile litigation cases, as both defendants and litigators, with demonstrable experience in arbitrations relating to royalty ownership, oil and gas co-tenancies and class actions. Houston-based Stephen Crain chairs the firm's wider litigation group, representing developers, producers, commodity traders and suppliers in the energy sector across a broad range of disputes, including those surrounding alleged violations of securities law. Following the departures of Sean Gorman, Christopher Dodson and Andrew Zeve to White & Case LLP in February 2023, Crain jointly leads the team alongside Deanna King, who also operates from the firm's Houston office.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Bracewell LLP advises clients on the range of transactional matters in the renewable energy space, including on projects in wind, solar, and storage, as well as on complex structuring and transactional matters such as power purchase agreements and portfolio acquisitions. The offering is led jointly by G. Alan Rafte and Ryan S. Holcomb, both based in Houston, with Rafte representing energy companies, private equity investors, alternative lenders and financial institutions in acquisition and divestitures of assets and companies, joint venture arrangements, and project finance and development matters. Danielle Varnell in Washington DC is sought after for her expertise in renewables-sector M&A and her ability to advise on projects from development through to the operational stage. Laura D. Sheldon in Washington DC was promoted to partner in January 2023, and is also noted for her expertise on the sale and purchase of renewable energy assets, and corporate governance. New York-based Danielle Garbien has experience extending to the structuring of hedges for the financing and acquisition of energy facilities.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 3

The environment, lands and resources group at Bracewell LLP is particularly active in the energy sector and acts for top oil and gas, and pipeline companies in the US on a range of environmental litigation issues and reputational matters. The team has considerable experience of agency enforcement actions and negotiations, bankruptcy-related litigation, and permitting and leasing disputes. The group is led by Jason Hutt and Austin’s Kevin Collins, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions by federal and state agencies, and Collins experienced in asset-forfeiture actions, internal investigations and industrial accidents. Ann Navaro is a name for climate change issues, as well as natural resources and environmental litigation, while David Super advises clients on claims relating to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the CWA, the CAA, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Attorneys are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 3

Bracewell LLP handles a broad range of environmental matters relating to regulatory issues, contentious matters and transactions and offers ancillary advice in media relations and lobbying. It is particularly strong in the oil and gas, renewables, chemicals and infrastructure sectors and offers expertise in relation to projects, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and investments. The team is led by Jason Hutt and Austin’s Timothy Wilkins, with Hutt handling administrative, civil and criminal enforcement matters, and Wilkins a key name for disputes, energy transition, climate change and ESG matters. Catherine Little and Annie Cook joined from Troutman Pepper in June 2022, while of counsel Steven Cook joined from the environmental protection agency (EPA) in Houston in August of the same year. Named attorneys based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Government > Government relations Tier 3

At Bracewell LLP, the Washington DC-based government relations team combines lobbying, strategic communications and legal services expertise. The group is particularly active in assisting non-profit organizations, utilities providers, critical minerals producers and renewables companies with advocacy work, with a focus on  tax, energy and environmental issues. Notable for his work developing climate change policy and environmental legislations, Scott Segal co-heads the practice with E. Dee Martin, who is a key contact for legislative and regulatory advocacy matters related to the energy transaction, social justice and equality. Christine Wyman is a go-to lawyer for clean energy policy, having recently played a key role in the hydrogen provisions of the bipartisan infrastructure law. Clean Air Act expert Jeffrey Holmstead is another key name.

Dispute resolution > Appellate: courts of appeals / Appellate: supreme courts (states and federal) Tier 4

Bracewell LLP‘s compact practice punches above its weight in the energy sphere, where it handles complex appeals for clients such as Apache, Kinder Morgan and Venoco. Other areas of activity for the two-partner, Houston-based team include insurance, IP and environmental law. Department chair Warren Harris is noted for his broad experience in both federal and state appellate courts; he recently represented Jane Doe plaintiffs in a case alleging that Salesforce knowingly provided technology, support and services to facilitate the sex trafficking operations of its client, Backpage. Jeffrey Oldham re-joined Bracewell in December 2021 after serving as general counsel for Texas Governor Abbott. Yvonne Ho was appointed to the bench in March 2022.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Attorneys at Bracewell LLP are called upon to assist government entities, individuals, and corporations with investigations and enforcement actions. The firm handles a broad range of white-collar matters including accounting fraud, economic sanctions, and insider trading. Veteran trial lawyer Stephen Braga leads the practice out of Washington DC and handles both criminal and civil cases on trial and appellate level, while former US District Judge Barbara Jones is active in the firm’s New York office and frequently called to conduct monitorships as well as special master assignments. Also based in New York is Daniel Connolly, whose experience in white-collar defense is complimented by a busy class action and commercial litigation practice.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Bracewell LLP remains best known for debt offerings by energy businesses and financial services institutions, including community banking organisations. Outside its core industry sectors, it also advised Sysco, the global distributor of food and related products on its $1.25bn offering of unsecured senior notes. Houston partners William Anderson and Troy Harder are key figures, along with Catherine Hood in New York, who offers a range of expertise including in offerings of first mortgage and collateral trust bonds, green bonds, unsecured notes and high-yield debt.

Finance > Commercial lending

With a footing in the Texas market from both a lender and borrower perspective, Bracewell LLP is fully equipped to represent major foreign banks, energy companies and private equity funds in a wide range of transactions in the energy space. Among its key areas of expertise, it is often sought for advice on acquisition finance, syndicated lending, leveraged finance, reserved-based lending, and sustainability-linked loan facilities. The firm’s sizeable offering in Houston features Dewey Gonsoulin Jr, Heather Brown and Alan Rafte from the leadership team, with joint head Robin Miles leading the practice from New York, where Jeris Diana Brunette is another standout.

Finance > Project finance

Bracewell LLP’s seasoned project finance practice focuses on energy and infrastructure transactions, handling a range of large-scale projects that contain sophisticated finance structures, among others, alongside vast experience of financing of traditional energy projects. The team is helmed by development and finance expert Nicolai J. Sarad in New York, and Houston’s Thomas Tomlinson, with a notable focus on the financing, development, acquisition and divestiture of traditional and renewable energy projects. G Alan Rafte, who is also based in Houston, chairs the firm’s business and regulatory section, while New York-based Danielle Garbien strengthens the team with considerable expertise of power and renewable energy. Martha Kammoun departed in October 2022.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Bracewell LLP often works in conjunction with the firm’s energy, finance and white-collar defense and government relations practices, and is particuarly active across a diversity of industries including food safety, medical devices, technology, and utilities. Managing partner of the San Antonio office Victoria Garcia is knowledgeable of domestic and international business immigration, including the application of US legislation abroad, conflicts between the United States and foreign legislation, and the transfer of employees between subsidiaries and related entities.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

Houston-based Jeffrey Andrews heads Bracewell LLP‘s outsourcing team, regularly advising Texan clients in the mining and aviation sector on SaaS outsourcing transactions. Technology litigation specialist Jonathon Hance represents both plaintiffs and defendants in disputes concerning the enforcement of intellectual property and data confidentiality rights, alongside the structuring of outsourcing contracts. Counsel Lucy Porter, who specialises in data privacy compliance and IP protection mandates, routinely supports Hance and Andrews on structuring service agreements and managed services.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Bracewell LLP is home to litigators who represent significant individuals, small businesses, mid-sized companies, and national and multinational corporations across an assortment of sectors. The litigation team also assists clients at all stages of trail, and is well-equipped to oversee arbitration, mediation, and other alternative-dispute resolutions. Stephen Crain leads the department and is often engaged in matters pertaining to the energy industry, and advises commodity traders, developers and producers, and suppliers. Bradley Benoit is proficient in bankruptcy mandates, and assists clients in the oil and gas, power and pipeline industries. Stephen Benesh works from Austinand  is routinely engaged in business and security litigation in addition to commercial disputes, while Christopher Dodson is also a name to note. All mentioned individuals are located in Houston, unless stated otherwise.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 5

Bracewell LLP in Texas frequently handles shareholder derivative lawsuits, as well as appearing before regulatory agencies and representing individuals providing grand-jury testimony and law-enforcement interviews. The team frequently handles high-stakes SEC and DOJ matters, as well as the consequent securities litigation on behalf of public and private companies, underwriters, boards of directors and individual executives and officers. Much of its work is for energy companies and their financial advisors. Practice head Tony Visage in Houston recently defended a class action against directors and founders of Think Finance, Inc., alleging that the company’s loans were improperly made through “tribal lending entities”. Stephen Benesh in Austin has a national securities litigation practice, and recently acted for The Bank of New York Mellon Trust in a securities class action concerning Pacific Coast Energy Company’s asset retirement obligation estimates. Bradley Benoit and chair of the financial institution litigation practice Bryan Dumesnil, both based in Houston, also play key roles in the practice.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 5

Bracewell LLP shows extensive strength in the energy space, advising domestic and international companies on executive compensation and employee benefits aspects arising from M&A and purchase agreements, with notable mandates for Pilot Travel Centers, Arroyo Energy Investment Partners, and Calpine Corporation. Scott Sanders co-heads the team, bringing in-depth expertise in managing the structuring of the employee benefit programs in corporate reorganizations and divestitures, while co-head, Matthew Grunert, assists public companies and executives with the negotiation and drafting of executive compensation arrangements and employment agreements. Both attorneys are based in the Houston office.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 5

Bracewell LLP represents a plethora of construction clients including architects, contractors, and engineers as well as real estate developers operating in the multi-family, office and retail sectors. The department is home to experienced practitioners who have appeared before federal trial and appellate courts, and overseen a breadth of construction matters across the US. Co-head of the department Phillip Sampson is frequently engaged in disputes pertaining to business torts and products liability, and has successfully arbitrated cases of change order issues, defects and delays. Richard Whiteley also co-leads the team and has assisted several clients with construction contract negotiation, and often handles construction and product liability disputes. All mentioned names are located in Houston.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

Drawing on its broad national presence, Bracewell LLP continues to field a team with highly specialized tax knowledge pertaining to transactions and advisory issues in the energy sector. In New York, tax chair Elizabeth McGinley advises major public corporations and funds on carbon capture projects, such as federal tax credit matters, while Houston-based managing partner Gregory Bopp‘s MLP expertise attracts upstream and midstream companies in North America, as well as investment banks. Also in Houston, Todd Greenwalt and Brian Teaff specialize in tax-exempt financings, whereas Austin-based Victoria Ozimek concentrates on state and local government financings, including single and multifamily housing, school, and airport ventures. Another recommended individual is New York-based Steven Lorch, whose recent work involves energy storage, carbon sequestration, and biomass projects.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

With experience advising in relation to a wide range of restructuring matters, including plan creation and confirmation, asset purchases and sales, environmental claims, and bankruptcy litigation, William Wood  in Houston heads Bracewell LLP’s financial restructuring group, which is well known for its work in the energy and shipping sectors. Mark Dendinger in New York and Jason Hutt in Washington DC have recently led a team representing Eni US Operating Co. Inc. and Eni Petroleum US LLC, as predecessors in interest to certain debtors, in connection with the reorganization of Fieldwood Energy LLC.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 6

Noted for its capabilities in the energy sector, Bracewell LLP works with a host of public and privately held businesses on a broad range of high-value deals, including mergers, stock sales, leveraged buyouts, dispositions and tender offers. Based in Texas, the practice is skilled at acting for special committees of boards of directors and financial advisors in M&A, and is also proficient in private equity investments. William Anderson, who advises on fiduciary duties, SEC compliance and transactions, and Charles Still, a key reference for energy players, leads the group from Houston. In the same office, Jason Jean is routinely engaged by private and public companies active in the upstream and midstream segments, and financial services clients in the context of M&A, business combinations and restructurings.