Bracewell LLP > San Antonio, United States > Firm Profile

Bracewell LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 1

Bracewell LLP represents oil and gas pipeline and storage companies in contested proceedings at FERC and has ‘rare’ and ‘true regulatory experience in liquids’.  Beyond FERC, the team represents clients in federal and appellate courts as well as in dual-track civil litigation and government investigations, with the June-2021 arrival of Anne M. Termine from Covington & Burling LLP strengthening the group’s offering in this area. Managing partner of the Washington DC office, Mark Lewis focuses on midstream commercial and regulatory matters, advising on the development of significant projects and day-to-day operations. Michael Brooks‘ practice, in turn, centres on CFTC work. The team has seen continued growth, most recently the July-2021 hire of former FERC attorney Rachael Marsh. All lawyers are based in Washington DC.

Energy > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP is highlighted for its ‘excellent guidance’, and is active in high-profile and complex matters in the power industry. The team represents energy companies as both plaintiffs and defendants in litigation and arbitration throughout the US and before state and federal regulatory bodies. It has extensive experience in multi-party contested proceedings, including disputes related to compensation for energy infrastructure investment. Houston-based partner Stephen Crain is the firm-wide chair of the litigation group, and Deanna King in Austin co-chairs the energy litigation practice with Andrew Zeve in Houston; Zeve is noted for his expertise in oil and gas disputes. Other key practitioners include bankruptcy expert Bradley Benoit in Houston, and Washington DC-based duo Catherine McCarthy, who chairs the firm’s energy regulatory group, and Michael Brooks, who focuses on commodities and derivatives law.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP has a particularly strong FERC practice and also represents clients before federal appellate and district courts. The group has significant FERC litigation experience, handling multi-party contested proceedings concerning issues such as market design and transmission, and Return-on-Equity disputes, as well as day-to-day counselling. The team works closely with its Policy Resolution group to advise on major renewable energy infrastructure projects, such as offshore wind and electricity transmission. Catherine McCarthy  heads the practice and handles the full range of issues, including centralized markets. The arrival of Rachael Marsh from the FERC in July 2021 has further bolstered the group’s offering, and comes in addition to the arrivals of Anne M. Termine and Theodore Duver from Covington & Burling LLP and Loeb, Block & Partners LLP, respectively. Michael Brooks  and Stephen Hug are also recommended. All lawyers are based in Washington DC, apart from Duver who is based in New York.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Ryan Holcomb leads the Bracewell LLP team from Houston and advises private equity investors, energy companies, utilities, financial institutions and commodity trading businesses across the power sector. The team’s broad experience includes generation involving all fuel types, transmission, the acquisition and divestiture of conventional power assets, joint ventures, equity investments, project finance and energy project development. An additional area of strength for the practice is financial products in the power industry, including physical and financial commodity and hedging transactions.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Led by Alan Rafte and James McAnelly in Houston, the deep bench of oil-and-gas experts at Bracewell LLP covers an array of energy transactional matters, including those related to upstream exploration and development companies; oilfield service businesses; pipeline, storage and terminals companies; refining and petrochemicals companies; and commercial banks, trading houses and private equity investors. The firm is particularly known for energy finance and its strength in cross-border matters, with notable experience in the US, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the North Sea region, Latin America and Canada.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Bringing together strong capabilities in legal and policy matters with knowledge in media relations and lobbying, Bracewell LLP is well positioned to provide the full-range of environmental regulatory advice across the country.  Showcasing extensive experience in issues ranging from air quality and climate change to water quality, waste, endangered species, and wetlands, the department is seen regularly acting for clients from the oil and gas, power, chemicals, mining, technology and manufacturing industries in relation to enforcement defense, major accident response, and legislative matters. Typical mandates also include regulatory advocacy related to infrastructure permitting for oil and natural gas pipelines across the US and Superfund matters. The ‘go-to practice for environmental matters‘ is jointly led by Jason Hutt , who has a wealth of experience in administrative enforcement actions, major industrial incidents and infrastructure permitting, and Clean Air Act and climate change specialist Jeffrey Holmstead . Both sit in the Washington DC office, where Kevin Ewing  stands out for his involvement in permitting-related mandates and climate change issues. Permitting, compliance and enforcement matters in association with onshore and offshore wastewater discharges are key areas of expertise for Sara Burgin  in Austin. Kevin Collins , who is also based in Austin, is counsel of choice for several energy and petrochemical clients in relation to investigations of environmental and process safety incidents. Also in Austin, Timothy Wilkins is seasoned in ESG issues, energy transition and environmental permitting.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Standing out for its ‘excellent knowledge of the energy industry‘, Bracewell LLP is proficient in emerging technologies such as biomass, carbon capture and hydrogen. Focused on renewable energy M&A and project development, the practice is sought after by a myriad of industry participants, ranging from sponsors and developers to private equity funds and contractors. Complex commodity transactions, including solar and wind hedges, virtual and physical power purchase arrangements between independent power producers and utilities is another strong point for the department, which is led from Houston by Ryan Holcomb . Holcomb is seasoned in a variety of transactions involving renewable energy projects, while Alan Rafte – another contact in Houston- leads on transactions involving offshore and onshore wind facilities, carbon sequestration and capture. Danielle Varnell, who is based in Washington DC, is regarded for her experience in renewable energy M&A, including portfolio acquisitions and multi-party joint ventures. Danielle Garbien in the Los Angeles office is a key advisor to developers, financial institutions, commodities and energy companies in power and renewable energy PPAs and hedging transactions.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3

Bracewell LLP ‘s energy practice handles complex litigation for major companies such as Apache, as well as natural gas suppliers and power generators. It represents clients in arbitration relating to royalty ownership, oil and gas co-tenancies, and royal class actions, among other matters, and has  also been active in commercial disputes arising from winter storm Uri. Practice leadership is split three ways between Houston-based Stephen Crain, who represents a broad range of clients in energy disputes and large-scale construction disputes; Andrew Zeve, based in Houston, who has experience in state and federal courts across the US; and regulatory expert Deanna King, in Austin.

Government > Government relations Tier 3

Scott Segal and E. Dee Martin lead the Washington DC-based government relations practice which sits within the wider policy resolution group at Bracewell LLP. Known by peers and the industry for their strong environmental and energy expertise, the team assists utility companies, refiners, renewables and chemical producers in regulatory and legislative issues. The team is also renowned for their expertise in FBI policy issues, and also provides strategic media and professional communication services to its clients. Segal is a key contact in the industry for energy and environmental legislation, leading in climate change policy development. Martin regularly advises corporations, industry coalitions, trade associations, and non-profit organizations through the regulatory and public affairs aspects of governmental advocacy campaigns. Christine Wyman and Joshua Zive are also of note, focusing on policy strategy development and international trade respectively.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 3

With extensive experience in environmental litigation before state and federal courts across the US, Bracewell LLP is skilled at handling bet-the-company civil, administrative and criminal proceedings on behalf of clients from a range of industries, with a particular focus on the energy sector. The firm excels in assembling cross-office teams to handle major environmental cases involving air, water, waste, climate change and infrastructure development, and negotiating the resolution of enforcement cases opposite EPA and the Department of Justice. The department is jointly led by Jason Hutt  in Washington DC, whose experience covers major industrial accidents, multi-party and multi-media environmental cases and enforcement actions, and Austin-based Kevin Collins , who is counsel of choice for leading energy and petrochemical clients. Also in DC, Kevin Ewing  is another key contact for energy companies, while Jeffrey Holmstead  is singled out for his expertise in air and climate change matters. Ann Navaro  is a solid litigator who is regularly engaged in permitting and enforcement-related cases.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 3

With environmental practitioners in Washington DC and Texas, Bracewell LLP provides advice across the United States to a plethora of clients, including companies active in key sectors such as chemicals, renewables, mining, technology and construction. The team stands out for its strength in renewable energy and energy transition issues, advising multiple developers and infrastructure funds on commercial-scale projects, joint ventures, strategic partnerships and investments. Recent mandates have also seen the group support EHS-related due diligence on major business transactions involving complex environmental issues, and assists clients in ESG disclosure requirements and transparency. Jason Hutt  in Washington DC is a key name for environmental issues associated with project development and infrastructure permitting. He jointly heads up the environment, lands and resources team with Austin-based Timothy Wilkins, whose areas of activity include ESG issues, climate change and assistance with the environmental aspects of major transactions. Kevin Ewing  in DC is recommended for environmental and climate change disclosures under the SEC laws.

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

Bracewell LLP‘s signature energy practice supplies a steady stream of oil and gas-related appeals. In a highlight example, the firm is representing Apache Corporation against Apollo Exploration in an appeal before the Supreme Court of Texas. Other areas of activity for the team include insurance, toxic torts, IP and environmental cases. Houston-based group chair Warren Harris is among the most active appellate lawyers in Texas — he also practices in appellate courts across the country. Houston-based Yvonne Ho is also noted for her focus on appellate litigation.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Bracewell LLP fields a team of deeply experienced practitioners under the leadership of Washington DC’s Stephen Braga. It is well versed in government investigations and caters to both corporate and individual clients. Key areas of focus for the practice include enforcement actions, compliance, monitorships, fraud and antitrust issues. Braga has considerable experience in defending clients in criminal and civil matters before trial and appellate courts. Seth DuCharme joined in New York from the DOJ in May 2021, and Anne M. Termine joined in Washington DC from Covington & Burling LLP in June 2021. Paul Shechtman left the firm in May 2022.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Bracewell LLP is primarily known for representing energy businesses and financial institutions in capital markets offerings. It has a niche in advising community banking organisations and is a growing force in representing underwriters. The firm is noted for capital markets offerings by electric and gas utilities, along with MLPs. Houston partners William Anderson and Charles Still are experienced names in energy sector capital markets transactions, with New York partners Todd Eckland and Catherine Hood providing additional senior-level experience in investment grade and high-yield debt deals in a variety of sectors; both are also close to key underwriters. Troy Harder is another key partner in Houston.

Finance > Commercial lending

With a strong standing in the Texas market, Bracewell LLP‘s finance practice is focused on the energy sector; the firm represents lending banks, private equity companies and energy providers in the financing of upstream, midstream and downstream energy projects. The Houston office houses much of the national team, including joint departmental leads Dewey Gonsoulin, Heather Brown and Alan Rafte, though the firm also has offerings in Austin, Dallas and Washington DC. In New York, Robin Miles , also a co-practice head, recently lead a team that advised MUFG Union Bank on a$1.7bn unsecured revolving credit facility to Continental Resources, Inc.

Finance > Project finance

Bracewell LLP has a long-established presence in the Texas market, and as such possesses significant experience in the financing of traditional energy projects, including power generation facilities, upstream and midstream oil and gas, refineries and petrochemical facilities. Beyond traditional energy, the department handles substantial matters in the renewables space; as a recent example; New York’s Martha Kammoun and Houston-based Alan Rafte advised Equinor on its offshore wind projects Empire Wind I and II and Beacon Wind. Houston partner Thomas Tomlinson  leads the national team and advises investors, sponsors and lenders across a range of areas. Hans Dyke departed in April 2021 to take up an in-house role.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Bracewell LLP, the immigration practice is led by highly rated Victoria Garcia in San Antonio and has experience acting for both domestic and large multinational companies. The group advises on visa issues, particularly visas for Canada, Mexico and Peru, investigations by the Department of Homeland Security and employment related business immigration work, alongside asylum and refugee issues. The team also advises domestic and international clients on EB-5 investor programs.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

Bracewell LLP continues to be highly active in the IT outsourcing space, providing advice to clients on software-as-a-service deals and data use and research agreements. The Houston-based practice also handles business process outsourcing for clients in Texas and beyond, in sectors including education, mining and aviation. Jeffrey Andrews leads the team.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Bracewell LLP‘s team has a track record of acting for energy companies, but also represents other national and multinational corporations, mid-sized companies and small businesses, as well as individuals in contentious matters. The group has experience acting in the full life cycle of disputes, from pre-litigation negotiation through jury trial, bench trial and appeal, and also covers mediation, arbitration and other ADRs. Practice head Stephen Crain and Bradley Benoit are key contacts in energy-related disputes. Christopher Dodson ‘has an excellent courtroom presence’. Sean Gorman is also noted. All aforementioned individuals are based in Houston.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 5

Bracewell LLP frequently handles challenging, high-stakes securities matters, including shareholder derivative suits and regulatory enforcement actions, on behalf of public and private companies, underwriters, boards of directors and individual executives and officers. Tony Visage in Houston leads the practice, which represents handles lawsuits filed in federal and state courts throughout the US and before governmental agencies. Stephen Benesh in Austin recently acted as lead trial counsel for the Bank of New York Mellon and certain of its trusts and trustees in connection with securities class action cases brought against the Bank or trusts managed by the bank. Bradley Benoit in Houston also plays a central role in the practice.

Intellectual property > Patents: prosecution (including re-examination and post-grant proceedings) Tier 5

Houston-based duo Constance Rhebergen and Brad Chin co-head Bracewell LLP‘s patent prosecution group, which is particularly renowned for its skills in the management and strategic development of international patent portfolios, as well as for its clout in the technology and energy sectors. The firm’s national footprint also extends to its other offices in Austin, New York and Seattle. Douglas Rommelmann, also based in Houston, brings in additional expertise representing clients in contested USPTO proceedings, including inter partes review proceedings.

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

Bracewell LLP counts energy and utilities companies, such as J&J Maintenance, Cheniere Energy and Apache Corporation, among its key roster of clients. The team advises on a range executive compensation and employee benefits issues relating to corporate, partnership and LLC transactions. Matthew Grunert, who acts for public and closely held companies, private equity funds and portfolio companies, jointly leads the practice alongside the ‘excellent‘ Scott Sanders, who represented Crescent Real Estate LLC in its acquisition of The Hotel at Avalon. Both partners are based in Houston.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

Working across multiple US sites, the Houston-headquartered Bracewell LLP is a strong choice for a number of high profile energy sector players seeking assistance in transactions and on complex advisory issues. Carbon capture ventures, solar and wind transactions, and renewable incentives such as federal tax credits are all key strengths for the ‘knowledgable and commercially oriented‘ team. Managing partner Gregory Bopp handles capital markets deals for midstream and upstream energy clients, including master limited partnerships, while Todd Greenwalt’s practice focuses on governmental bodies and tax-exempt organizations. In New York, tax chair Elizabeth McGinley ’s broad conventional and renewable energy sector experience is complemented by niche expertise in carbon capture projects. Austin-based Victoria Ozimek specializes in state and local government financings, including bond issuances for multifamily housing ventures. All named lawyers are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Bracewell LLP remains noted for its handling of restructuring and bankruptcy matters; it has particular expertise in energy, maritime and international restructurings. In addition, it is trusted to oversee advisory to private investment funds, financial institutions, commercial lenders and institutional investors. The Houston-based practice is led by William Wood III who has a breadth of experience in out-of-court restructurings, asset purchase sales and bankruptcy litigation. Robert Burns and Jason Cohen are other notable individuals.

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

At Bracewell LLP, the client roster encompasses major corporates, financial institutions and private equity firms in addition to expanding small and mid-cap businesses. The Houston-based team includes William Anderson, a veteran of numerous M&A and capital markets transactions in addition to SEC compliance and disclose affairs; he co-leads the offering alongside Charles Still, a specialist in energy-related deals.