Bracewell LLP > Houston, United States > Firm Profile

Bracewell LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Energy > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 1

Bracewell LLP‘s Washington DC-based team serves clients across the midstream space in regulatory, transactional, and enforcement matters involving oil, gas, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen pipelines. The team is particularly renowned for its representation of clients before the FERC, DOE, CFTC, PHMSA, and other state and federal energy regulatory agencies. Department head Mark Lewis routinely advises clients who own, operate, develop, and invest in oil and gas pipeline infrastructure and related infrastructure, including LNG storage facilities. Kirk Morgan advises clients on new infrastructure projects such as greenfield pipelines and expansion projects, among others, while Michael Brooks specializes in representing clients in investigations brought by regulatory bodies such as the CFTC and FERC. George Fatula has significant experience handling FERC proceedings, including rate cases, and Annie Cook is noted for her experience in pipeline safety matters. Eugene Elrod joined the firm from Latham & Watkins LLP in November 2023.

Energy > Energy litigation: electric power Tier 2

Representing major energy companies as both plaintiffs and defendants, Bracewell LLP has a strong pedigree in multidistrict and multi-party litigation and arbitration, with a notable specialism in disputes regarding compensation for energy infrastructure investments. The practice is co-led by Houston’s Stephen Crain, a name to note for power trading disputes, and Deanna E. King in Austin, who advises foreign clients on issues related to participation in the US energy markets, such as market access, competition and cross-border matters. Seattle-based Tyler S. Johnson acts in cases involving compliance with the Federal Power Act, FERC proceedings as well as related appellate litigation, and is noted for expertise in transmission and rate matters linked to the Bonneville Power Administration. In Washington DC, Michael Brooks focuses on commodities and derivatives with ties to electricity markets, which is also at the core of Bradley Benoit‘s practice in Houston. Andrew Zeve left the firm in January 2023, while Rachael Marsh departed in June 2023.

Energy > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 2

Praised as a ‘leader in oil and gas litigation’, where it advises on high-profile cases, royalty disputes and class actions, Bracewell LLP boasts an impressive client base, including some of the oil and gas industry’s leading players such as Chevron and Apache. Stephen Crain heads the firm’s litigation group and continues to assist a range of energy sector clients. Recently promoted to partner, commercial litigator Drew Taggart routinely assists multinationals, mid-sized companies and small start-ups with complex oil and gas litigation proceedings. The team also includes commercial litigator William Moss, currently representing mining property owner 3S Real Estate Development in a dispute with the mining lessee and oil and gas operator regarding the validity of four oil and gas leases covering over 30,000 acres of land. Lawyers mentioned are in Houston.

Energy > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP sports a robust FERC practice, representing clients in federal appellate and district courts. The team also excels in renewable energy work, advising on independent transmission projects as well as storage and generation projects with the capacity to advise on regulatory compliance and approvals as well as on contentious and transactional issues. In Washington DC, practice head Catherine McCarthy is highly experienced in representing clients before authorities such as FERC, DOE and NRC, and Tyler S. Johnson counts regulatory litigation and compliance amongst his areas of expertise. Deanna E. King, based in Austin, is another practitioner with extensive know-how in federal and state court litigation in addition to non-contentious regulatory issues. New York’s Theodore Duver is regularly sought out by renewable energy companies and utilities in matters such as generic rule-makings and ratemaking proceedings. Rachael Novier Marsh left the firm for an in-house position in May 2023.

Energy > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 2

Bracewell LLP continues to work on both traditional power and large scale renewable projects, with an increased flow of battery storage and carbon capture instructions coming through the firm’s diverse pipeline of mandates. The group has seen an increased engagement with private equity funds, working with the likes of Arroyo Energy Investment Partners and Rockland Capital on natural gas and oil-fired power facilities. Debt and equity capital markets are another key feature of the firm’s practice, demonstrating a wide breadth of capabilities by advising on the underwriters, issuer, and investor side of multi-million and multi-billion dollar transactions. Team lead Ryan Holcomb operates out of Houston and is predominantly focused on traditional power projects, competently overseeing the transactional, regulatory and commercial aspects of complex, high-value deals. The New York-based trio of practice co-heads Catherine Hood, Todd Eckland and J. Anthony Terrell are integral figures to the firm’s capital markets offering, assisting energy and utility players across the full array of securities offerings. Energy M&A specialist Danielle Varnell is well-versed in both greenfield and brownfield developments and has had a concentrated focus on renewables and energy transition assets over the past twelve months, and is often supported by Laura Sheldon, with the duo advising from the firm’s Washington DC office. Associate Shannon Baldwin acts out of Houston and is noted for her engagement with an impressive breadth of practice matters, whereas associate Stephen McNamara is primarily concerned with capital markets work and sits in New York.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 2

Bracewell LLP has extensive experience in M&A and energy finance across upstream, midstream and downstream focused transactions, complementing transactional prowess with expert regulatory and environmental know-how. A key point of differentiation for the group is its stellar work regarding carbon capture assets, active across the acquisition and disposal of both projects and developers as well as development mandates, demonstrating engagement in both onshore and offshore work of this nature. Team lead Alan Rafte is the leading figure in the group for carbon capture, sequestration and utilization projects, while also being highly regarded for his prolific upstream and midstream oil and LNG practice. Working alongside Rafte on some of the firm’s most consequential CCS instructions, fellow group head W James McAnelly is a go-to for a range of clients, and has recent highlights that include offshore gathering and transportation mandates. Jason Jean is well-experienced advising private equity investors across the entire upstream and midstream value chain, while also possessing a formidable capital markets capability. Molly Butkus is active on M&A, joint venture formation and private equity transactions, while New York-based lawyer Austin Lee is able to bring valuable financing proficiencies to bear on a number of client instructions. Also in New York, Parker Lee, who joined the team from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in March 2024, advises infrastructure funds on a diverse range of transactions. Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers are based in Houston.

Environment > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Bracewell LLP provides clients with a coast-to-coast regulatory practice that covers climate change, infrastructure development, particularly within the renewable energy sphere, ESG, hazardous waste, chemicals and contamination in addition to incident response. The group is co-led from Washington DC by Jason Hutt , who specializes in energy and environmental matters, and Jeffrey Holmstead , an experienced climate change lawyer, whose extensive experience in the Clean Air Act secures him a spread of work from the energy and industrial sectors. Over in Austin, Timothy Wilkins is a name to note for matters relating to the energy transition and ESG, while Brittany Pemberton, of the Washington DC office, attracts clients from the industrial and energy sectors for her experience handling regulatory compliance and enforcement mandates.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 3

Perceived as 'substantive experts' in the energy sector, Bracewell LLP‘s sizeable energy group acts in the full range of deals in the renewables space, as well as supporting clients through the development of solar, wind, and power storage projects, among others. Clients include a variety of energy companies but the team also acts on the lender side of deals for banks and financial institutions. Alan Rafte and Ryan Holcomb at the Houston office oversee the department with Washington DC-based Danielle Varnell, who has particular experience in onshore and offshore wind, and solar and battery storage projects. Nicolai Sarad in New York counts MUFG as a client in renewables matters, while in Houston Fernando Rodriguez Marin is noted for cross-border matters involving Latin American jurisdictions. Natural resources lawyer Kevin Ewing is another contact to note in Houston, and younger partners Laura Sheldon and Steven Lorch, in Washington DC and New York respectively, are further key names.

Environment > Environment: litigation Tier 3

Attracting clients from across the energy, oil and gas and chemicals sector, the wnvironment, lands and resources group at Bracewell LLP is a key name to note for clients seeking aid with environmental litigation, prosecution and enforcement. The group is co-led by Kevin Collins  from the Austin office, who is known by clients within the chemicals sector for his adept handling of major incidents, alongside  Washington DC’s Jason Hutt , specialist in the defense of administrative, civil and criminal enforcement actions to do with environmental justice he also works on mandates relating to wetlands and air contamination. DC’s Ann Navaro is recommended for her wide knowledge of the natural resources law, while the Austin-based David Super handles environmental claims under the National Environmental Policy Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as well as the Clean Water Act, and Clean Air Act.

Environment > Environment: transactional Tier 3

Bracewell LLP advises on the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory environmental issues throughout the United States, with particular strength in the energy sector. Matters range from energy infrastructure development projects and climate change regulation to major accidents and law enforcement actions. The team has significant experience in the renewable energy and oil and gas sectors, where it routinely advises on complex joint ventures, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and investments. The firm’s environmental, lands, and natural resources group is led by Austin-based Timothy Wilkins, who specializes in environmental litigation, energy transition, climate change, and ESG, and Washington DC-based Jason Hutt, known for representing clients in administrative, civil, and criminal actions related to federal and state agencies that regulate energy and environmental issues, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy. The team also includes natural resources expert Kevin Ewing, based in Washington DC, who represents leading companies in offshore wind, LNG and natural gas pipelines projects, and Austin’s Matt Paulson, whose focus is on the oil and gas, power and chemical manufacturing industries.

Finance > Project finance

With a strong focus on the energy and infrastructure space, Bracewell LLP advises on a range of sophisticated financing structures relating to large-scale conventional and renewable projects across the United States and beyond, working for a roster of best-in-class energy players as well as multinational investment banks and financial services institutions. The team also demonstrates wider capabilities in negotiating and drafting a swathe of commercial documents as well as acting as tax counsel on renewable energy builds. Alan Rafte and Thomas Tomlinson co-lead the practice out of Houston and are routinely engaged with energy industry companies and private equity outfits, with the latter particularly noted for his extensive understanding of the oil, gas and hydrocarbons, and has been a chief lead on carbon capture facilities and natural gas conversion projects. New York’s Nicolai Sarad spearheads the firm’s infrastructure offering and works with sponsors, lenders and pubic agencies on PPPs pertaining to aviation, transport and social infrastructure, often advising in Latin America. Jeris Diana Brunette, who also operates out of New York, has been active on a number of debt financings for combined cycle power plants and LNG projects over the past twelve months, and is joined in Manhattan by Fernando Rodriguez Marin who is another key infrastructure name and who has a deep PPP understanding.

Government > Government relations Tier 3

The Washington DC-based policy resolution group at Bracewell LLP combines extensive experience in traditional energy, energy transition, and environmental government relations and strategic communications, with policy advice to and advocacy on behalf of nonprofit organizations such as The Trevor Project and professional associations including the FBIAA. Scott Segal, who is best known for his work on climate change, electric reliability, motor fuels, and upstream oil and gas development, shares leadership of the team with Dee Martin, who guides clients through advocacy campaigns related to energy, national security, and social justice issues. Joshua Zive provides support on developing and implementing advocacy strategies and public messaging campaigns, and has been advising clients like Yuga Labs on understanding the policy and legal landscape of digital assets. Senior counsel Joseph Brazauskas focuses on energy, environment, and natural resources, and has been instrumental in assisting Cheniere with the recent pipeline authorization process. Christine Wyman left the firm in March 2023. Andrew Shaw joined from Dentons in June 2024, contributing significant experience in energy and environmental matters.

Insurance > Advice to policyholders Tier 3

Bracewell LLP supports corporate policyholders on insurance coverage, including strategies for litigation, mediation, arbitration, and settlements. The team addresses diverse matters, including commercial property, directors’ and officers’, errors and omissions, intellectual property, and other commercial coverages. With a track record of litigation against major insurers both nationally and internationally, the coverage team partners with corporate lawyers to handle insurance challenges tied to transactions. Headed by catastrophe losses specialist Vincent Morgan, based in Houston, the team handles various insurance claims, including M&A, wildfires, industrial accidents, Covid-19, pollution incidents, and other catastrophes. Suzanne F. Day, also based in Houston, further supports the practice, contributing experience in negotiating substantial insurance recoveries and litigating against major insurers under various policy types including commercial general liability, property and business interruption, professional and fiduciary, D&O, E&O, environmental and marine cargo policies.

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

Bracewell LLP’s firm-wide focus on the energy sector is reflected in its appellate practice, where it specializes in representing energy companies before all courts of appeals, with a particularly notable record before the Texas Supreme Court. The team is also well versed in appeals concerning the insurance, toxic torts, IP, and environmental law fields. The group is concentrated in Houston, where department head Warren Harris is valued for his ‘ability in oral argument’. Also noted in Houston are Jeffrey Oldham, who is a former general counsel in the Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, and newly promoted partner Walter Simons.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

With a team that consists of skilled defense attorneys and former prosecutors, Bracewell LLP is well placed to discreetly conduct internal investigations as well as develop corporate compliance programs. Located in Washington DC, Stephen Braga has longstanding experience acting for both individuals and corporates in a variety of criminal matters. Practicing out of the firm’s New York office, Seth DuCharme is highly skilled at advising on matters relating to cybersecurity. Houston-based Jeffery Vaden is recommended for investigations into public corruption, bank fraud, and money laundering. Matthew Nielsen acts for both corporations and senior executives who are being investigated by the regulatory authorities, while Britt Steckman advises on FCPA compliance programs. Steckman practices in Washington DC and Nielsen is located in Austin. The New York team is strengthened with the addition of Roslynn Mauskopf, who joins the firm in February 2024, bringing extensive experience from a role in the judiciary.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Bracewell LLP continues to stand out for its expertise in debt offerings by energy companies and financial institutions. It is a leading figure in MLP securities and has a strong mix of investment grade and high-yield debt engagements. It has a notable presence in preferred, convertible and hybrid offerings, along with restructurings, refinancings and other liability management transactions. Clients include some of the world’s largest energy companies such as Phillips 66 and Kinder Morgan, along with US-based electricity providers. Houston partner Will Anderson remains at the forefront of debt offerings by major energy companies, as does fellow Houston partner Troy Harder . Catherine Hood is a key figure in New York.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings Tier 4

Bracewell LLP is active in representing energy companies and financial institutions in equity offerings. It handles a range of IPOs and follow-on equity offerings for energy businesses, MLPs and community banking institutions. SPAC and at-the-market deals are also a forte. In addition, the firm frequently lands underwriter-side engagements. Will Anderson and Troy Harder are key partners in Houston, along with Catherine Hood in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending

Based in Texas, the finance team at Bracewell LLP is active on both the borrower and lender sides of financing. The team is experienced at representing large energy companies and private equity funds investing in energy. Clients include foreign banks, US money center banks, large midstream companies and regulated utilities. The team is jointly led by practice heads Dewey Gonsoulin Jr who is active in energy financing, specifically credit facilities in the upstream energy sector; Heather Brown who is adept at handling restructurings and loan workouts in the energy sector; G Alan Rafte and Robin Miles . Another notable mention in the team is Jeris Brunette , whose expertise lies in corporate and project finance in the energy and power sectors.

Labor and employment > Immigration Tier 4

Representing clients across a diverse range of industries, Bracewell LLP collaborates closely with its corporate, energy and tax team to provide full-service immigration offering. The practice is led by Victoria Garcia, who operates from San Antonio, advising domestic and international clients on employment-based immigrant and non-immigrant visas. Another area of expertise is family and employment-based applications for permanent residence and citizenship, employee transfer, and conflicts between US and foreign immigration regulations.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 4

The Houston-based outsourcing practice at Bracewell LLP frequently advises on the structuring and negotiation of contracts for Texan clients in the commercial aviation, energy, and financial services sectors. Jeffrey Andrews heads the department and handles ITO and BPO transactions in addition to SaaS and telecoms service agreements, while litigator and tech specialist Jonathon Hance frequently represents plaintiffs and defendants in cases involving data confidentiality rights and also assists clients with data processing outsourcing work. Lucy Porter is a further key contact within the group and advises on data privacy solutions and the management of service agreements.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Bracewell LLP represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a full range of complex commercial litigation matters, with a particularly strong reputation for handling energy- and financial services related disputes. Recent highlights for the team include representing Apache Corporation in a series of class actions alleging, among other things, the underpayment of royalties. Houston’s Stephen Crain and New York-based Daniel Connolly jointly lead the practice group: Crain predominantly represents energy-sector clients in a wide range of cases, while Connolly focuses on white-collar and regulatory compliance matters. Also recommended is New York’s Drew Taggart, praised for being ‘highly skilled in conducting complex discovery’.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 5

Based in Texas, Bracewell LLP is best known for its expertise in the energy industry, which frequently sees it involved in regulatory enforcement proceedings and securities litigation on behalf of oil and gas companies and underwriters. ‘Outstanding' Houston-based lead partner Tony Visage handled the defense of a $180m claim against Stephen J. Shaper of Think Finance in a class action concerning unjust enrichment claims. Stephen Benesh in Austin has extensive experience representing oil and gas royalty trusts and their trustees in class action securities and derivative litigation. Bradley Benoit and Bryan Dumesnil, both based in Houston, also play key roles in the firm’s high-profile matters.

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

Bracewell LLP boasts a strong presence in the oil and gas and energy sectors, notably representing Phillips 66 in the $3.8 billion all-cash acquisition of DCP Midstream LP’s publicly held common units. The team’s expertise encompasses stock exchange rules related to compensation, employment transfers, and deferred compensation schemes. Co-leading the practice from Houston, Scott Sanders focuses on analyzing and structuring employee benefit plans within corporate transactions, covering due diligence, change in control provisions, and the negotiation of transaction documents. Fellow Houston-based co-chair Matthew Grunert advises public companies, private equity funds, and their portfolio companies on benefits liabilities allocation, 280G golden parachute issues, and the management of compensation following transaction closure.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 5

Lauded as a construction litigation ‘powerhouse’, the Houston-based team at Bracewell LLP works with major national clients, often government and public bodies, providing representation in litigation and arbitration cases before the state and federal courts. The practice also regularly handles contract drafting and negotiation. Phillip Sampson maintains a track record in construction cases involving alleged defects, delays, change order issues and component part failures. Sampson jointly leads the practice alongside Richard Whiteley, who has experience in construction and product liability disputes, in addition to negotiating construction contracts. Aaron Roffwarg is another key contact in the group.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 5

Bracewell LLP’s transactional tax practice, primarily operating from the firm’s offices in New York and Texas, has a strong reputation for its work in the energy sector, handling both traditional and energy transition tax matters. New York-based practice co-chair Elizabeth McGinley advises on up-, mid-, and downstream oil and gas matters as well as carbon capture projects. Firm managing partner and tax practice co-chair Gregory Bopp in Houston focuses on the tax aspects of transactions involving midstream and upstream energy clients, including MLPs. Todd Greenwalt, also in Houston, specializes in representing governmental entities and tax-exempt organizations. Having joined the firm in Dallas in April 2023 from Baker Botts (UK) LLP, Bucky Brannen brings considerable expertise in state and local tax matters. Specializing in energy transition tax incentives, Jennifer Speck joined the firm’s Houston office in January 2024 from an in-house role at a carbon solutions company.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Bracewell LLP represents domestic and global clients in restructurings across multiple industries, with the team focused on advising private investment funds, distressed debt investors, hedge funds and private equity funds. Team members, including Houston based William Wood III, handle bankruptcy litigation matters, with litigators serving as advocates in indenture disputes and in bankruptcy courts. Jason Cohen, also in Houston, focuses on debtor representation and creditors’ rights, whereas Mark Dendinger, based in New York, has broad restructuring expertise across the energy, shipping and retail industries.

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

Bracewell LLP’s M&A team specializes in handling stock sales and exchanges, management and leveraged buyouts, and joint ventures on behalf of international financial institutions and energy companies. Based out of Houston, William Anderson and Charles Still, Jr. co-head the outfit and bring significant expertise in SEC compliance and corporate governance matters to the practice, whilst Troy Harder primarily focuses on corporate finance transactions. Jason Jean is an expert on transactions in the upstream and midstream energy sector, Lytch Gutmann is knowledgeable on stock and asset purchases and sales, while Benjamin Martin is noted for his expertise in the private equity space.

Labor and employment > Workplace and employment counseling

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 4

Bracewell LLP has a significant presence in project development, project finance, and energy and infrastructure sector M&A; moreover, it has a growing reputation in ESG finance, green loans and bonds. Its broad experience ranges from oil and gas projects and transactions in Mexico, through to port projects and gas-fired power projects across the region, along with the acquisition of renewable energy assets. New York partner Fernando Rodriguez Marin has a major focus on Latin America, as does Houston-based Manuel Vera, who is licensed to practice in Mexico.