Kaam Sahely > Vinson & Elkins LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Combining ‘great experience and expertise, strong knowledge of the energy industry and ability to handle highly-complex transactions’, Vinson & Elkins LLP’s oil-and-gas practice draws from the firm’s strength in tax, environmental and regulatory law. With substantial cross-border experience, the group advises clients including producers, developers, midstream companies, oilfield-services companies, banks, regulatory commissions, contractors, fuel suppliers, private equity investors and hedge funds on matters the length of the hydrocarbons value-chain. The practice is led by three co-heads: John Connally, who handles the spectrum of domestic and international upstream and midstream M&A, joint ventures and development transactions; Kaam Sahely, whose experience covers renewable and sustainable energy-assets, power generation, traditional hydrocarbons’ and infrastructure assets; and Keith Fullenweider, who advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on investments, financings and exit transactions. Other key names in the practice are transactional lawyer Bryan Loocke and Danielle Patterson, who focuses on the energy and infrastructure industries. All named individuals are based in Houston.

Boasting an impressive track record in renewable and clean energy power generation and electric transmission projects in the United states and internationally, Vinson & Elkins LLP showcases strength across wind, solar, geothermal, biofuels, carbon capture and storage projects. The team is often called upon by an array of investors, developers, lenders, and suppliers looking for guidance in all steps of the development, financing, acquisition and sale of renewable projects. Advising traditional energy clients  in their investments in or adoption of cleaner energy sources is a growing area of focus for the department. Houston-based John B. Connally IV  and Kaam Sahely , who splits his time between Houston and Austin, jointly head up the department. Sahely is regularly engaged by investors and developers in relation to large-scale projects and transactions involving renewable and sustainable energy assets. The renewables group was significantly boosted by the addition of a preeminent renewable energy finance team from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati. Michael Joyce, whose areas of expertise cover wind, solar and storage issues, and Lauren Collins, who has helped develop some of the most complex renewable energy financing transactions in the market joined the Los Angeles office. Recent arrivals also include Aaron Prince in New York and Austin-based Sean Moran, who brings together knowledge in technology and power generation matters. Peter Marshall is a key attorney in Dallas for private equity funds and financial sponsors, while Danielle Patterson in Houston devotes her time to the energy and infrastructure sectors, advising on M&A, and project development.

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a standout construction practice for energy projects, acting for owners, developers and investors on the range of matters. It also handles public infrastructure projects as well as a range of other developments, both public and private, representing clients in EPC, design build and other engineering and construction arrangements. The team has a cross-country and global reach, coordinating with its London office in particular. Accomplished litigator D. Ferguson McNiel co-leads the group with energy and infrastructure projects specialist Kaam Sahely. They work closely with the head of the firm’s international dispute resolution practice, Jim Loftis, and energy transactions experts Mark Brasher and Alan Alexander to provide comprehensive advice on the range of construction matters. Senior associate Stephanie Coco is a rising star in the market with experience in multiple sectors of the energy industry, including pipelines, LNG, power generation and chemicals. All named lawyers are based in Houston