Alan Alexander > Vinson & Elkins LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s outstanding energy credentials are increasingly evident in Latin America, thanks in part to its growing team of senior practitioners that are focused on the region. Midstream and upstream oil and gas are real fortes of the core Latin America group, which also impresses in power and renewables. Infrastructure is a growing feature of the practice too. The firm is increasingly active in solar, wind and hydro projects in Mexico and beyond. It is also involved in a large number of midstream oil and gas projects involving Mexico. Ports and roads are a growing area of focus, including the 4G toll road segment in Colombia. San Francisco’s Boyd Carano is noted for upstream, midstream, power and renewables transactions and projects, particularly in Mexico. New York partner Eamon Nolan is also a key name for Mexico power and renewables projects, while also building a presence in infrastructure projects elsewhere. Houston’s Alan Alexander was elected to partner in January 2020 and has a similar background in upstream and midstream oil and gas projects in Mexico; while Houston partner Mark Brasher is active across, energy and infrastructure projects and associated financing and transactions.

Vinson & Elkins LLP ’s international construction group is overseen by Nick Henchie from the firm’s London office. However, Ferguson McNiel – known for his broad litigation handling – and Kaam Sahely – an infrastructure and finance specialist – lead a ‘highly-skilled and seriously client-focused‘ US department in Houston. One of the team’s main strengths lies in its ‘ability to find viable legal solutions to complex commercial and technical topics‘, during public and energy sector work. To this end, Sahely is assisting Gulf Coast Ammonia with their $800m hydrogen-based ammonia production facility in Texas, with backing from ‘very good lawyer, but even better shepherd of projects‘ Alan Alexander and senior associate Stephanie Coco. Mark Brasher and Dallas-based Mark Early are representing Texas Central Partners in the development and construction of a $20 billion high-speed rail line between the DFW Metroplex and Houston, featuring an Italian contractor and Japanese technology consortium, alongside the intended domestic operator.