Vinson & Elkins LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Vinson & Elkins LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas Tier 1

Vinson & Elkins LLP's energy regulatory practice is well known for representing companies in the natural gas and LNG sectors. The group’s ‘excellent attorneys’ advise on major infrastructure projects, handling the gamut of regulatory and related appellate work, as well as high-profile pipeline rate cases filed at FERC. Other areas of expertise include presidential permit applications, tariffs, abandonment, gas quality proceedings and audits. Based in Houston, practice co-head Jay Seegers represents clients in administrative litigation, with a particular focus on economic regulation while in Washington DC, fellow practice head Anita Wilson handles proceedings before all state and federal agencies. Clients praise the practice for being ‘best in their class', with Houston-based duo Damien Lyster and Suzanne Clevenger, and Washington DC-based Andrew Beach and John Decker all additional names to note.

Industry focus > Energy: renewable/alternative power Tier 1

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.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: oil and gas Tier 1

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.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 1

The team at Vinson & Elkins LLP is 'innovative in its thinking and seemingly available to its clients 24/7'. It defends boards of public companies against an increasing wave of activism. The work, which is often high-profile, includes proxy contests, vote no campaigns, hostile takeover attempts, merger contests, short attacks, and other activist challenges. The New York-based group is headed up by Lawrence Elbaum and Patrick Gadson. Elbaum has a 'pristine track record of success', due to his experience as a trial lawyer, as well as acting as a business advisor to counsel. Also unique is the group’s approach to D&O liability insurance as a funding mechanism in corporate defense, helping clients recover millions of dollars in fees annually.

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

Vinson & Elkins LLP has become a recognised force in high-yield debt, partially due to the increase in energy companies tapping the debt markets. The firm’s growing prominence in private equity, especially energy-sector deals, has given it further prominence in leveraged finance-related transactions. David Stone  is a prolific adviser on high-yield debt transactions, particularly for energy companies and underwriters; he led the team that represented Antero Midstream and Antero Resources in a series of high-yield debt offerings totalling some $3.1bn. Noel Hughes, who split his time between London and New York, has left the firm.

Finance > Project finance

Vinson & Elkins LLP significantly bolstered its ranks with the addition of New York’s Aaron Prince, Sean Moran in Austin, and the Los Angeles-based duo of Michael Joyce and Lauren Collins in February 2021. The quartet joined from Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and provide expertise in tax equity financing, asset-based lending, structured finance and acquisitions in the energy space. Joyce also now leads the practice alongside New York partner Eamon Nolan, who has expertise in a range of energy and infrastructure projects both in the US and Latin America. In addition to financing, the firm is able to call upon complimentary expertise in energy regulation, environmental law, tax, and real estate to provide a full service at all stages of infrastructure projects.

Government > Government contracts Tier 2

Vinson & Elkins LLP’s government contracts group has extensive experience in high-stakes bid protests and claims litigation for a impressive blue-chip client base across the IT, healthcare, construction, aerospace and defence, and professional services industries. Alongside this strong practice, the group is adept at handling complex cost accounting matters, M&A, contract litigation, suspension and debarment proceedings, export control and economic sanctions, False Claims Act suits, and investigations. Offering a multidisciplinary approach across the overall firm’s complementary practices, the public procurement practice is headed by David Johnson, who maintains a focus on litigation. Jamie Tabb is notable in the team, covering all contracting matters and particularly strong in federal contracts. Tyler Robinson is a key name in the group for bid protests and compliance issues. Elizabeth McIntyre is notable for economic sanctions and export controls. Former practice co-head Daniel Graham  left the practice in 2021. All practitioners are based in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 2

The litigation team at Vinson & Elkins LLP consists of litigators and appellate lawyers and includes former petroleum engineers, giving the team a unique perspective from which to advise on a broad array of oil and gas issues. The group has experience in disputes relating to shale and hydraulic fracking, as well as oil and gas recovery and transportation, including energy contract disputes and class actions. Practice co-head Jim Thompson has an extensive background in the energy industry; his fellow co-head Matthew Stammel is frequently instructed by oil and gas companies and private equity firms. Nicholas Shum is recommended for his expertise in contract disputes that involve upstream, midstream and oilfield services companies. Head of the firm’s appellate practice, Marie Yeates is also a name to note. At associate level, senior Stephanie Noble provides strong support to the team. All named lawyers are based in Houston apart from Stammel, who is based in Dallas.

Industry focus > Environment: regulatory Tier 2

Vinson & Elkins LLP positions itself as one of the go-to firms in the United States for environmental regulatory issues arising under every major environmental statute. The firm is particularly recognised for its capabilities in securing and defending contested air, water and wetlands permits for energy and industrial developments and multi-state projects involving NEPA and federal lands. Besides complex permitting mandates, the practice is also well versed in historical contamination issues and administrative proceedings before the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Former Assistant Attorney General (AAG) for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the U.S. Department of Justice Ronald Tenpas  is a recognised environmental attorney, who concentrates his activity in civil and criminal investigations related to alleged environmental violations and litigation challenging new regulatory provisions. He co-heads the department from Washington DC. Fellow co-leader Larry Nettles  is based in Houston. Other individuals to note in the Houston office include Michael Wigmore , whose permitting experience spans upstream oil and gas development, pipelines, mining and manufacturing facilities, and Matthew Dobbins , who is recommended for environmental litigation, regulation and transactional matters.

Antitrust > Cartel Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP represents clients in a broad range of industries, including tech, pharma, airline and chemicals, with notable strength in handling cross-border civil and criminal cartel proceedings, with standout international representations of Wanhua and Hitachi in FTC and DOJ cartel investigations. The firm offers significant agency expertise through a number of former DOJ and FTC officials, and has broad geographical reach with particular strength in Washington DC, Texas, and California. Alden Atkins has been particularly active in the airline space during 2021, representing Southwest Airlines in the ongoing DOJ investigation into airline capacity, and AirTran in a multi-district case relating to bag fees, cases that Houston-based Jason Powers is also playing a key role in. The team is led by Darren Tucker, a specialist in DOJ and FTC proceedings in the technology, energy and pharma sectors, while Hill Wellford takes the lead on governmental investigations within the US and internationally. Brian Schnapp is a specialist in representing multinational companies in cartel and price-fixing investigations, with Lindsey Vaala also a key name for global cartel defense. Lawyers are in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP bases its global merger practice out of Washington DC and has a prolific record in HSR filings, as well as handling merger reviews and investigatory processes before the FTC, DOJ, and international competition regulators. The team also has a considerable presence in Texas and California, and marries the firm’s traditional strength in the energy sector with a growing record in tech sector work, evidenced by the firm’s successful clearance of Google’s acquisition of Fitbit. Elsewhere, the firm has continued to work on behalf of major international names such as Hitachi alongside top energy clients such as Chevron, Noble Energy, and Parsley, for whom the firm advised on its sale to Pioneer Natural Resources. Darren Tucker leads the team, bringing in-house FTC experise to merger clearance proceedings for deals in the technology, energy and pharma sectors, leading on the unconditional Google-Fitbit clearance while Hill Wellford specializes in government investigations and HSR filings. Counsel David Smith‘s expertise includes international merger reviews and associated litigation, as well as advising on intellectual property elements of contested mergers. All lawyers mentioned are in Washington DC.

Dispute resolution > M&A litigation: defense Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP has offices in New York, Texas and California, enabling it to easily handle M&A litigation in state and federal courts across the US. The firm’s fiduciary duty practice deals with pre- and post-closing challenges to mergers and acquisitions, master limited partnership litigation, derivative lawsuits, and other claims made against corporate officers and directors under Delaware law. Over the last ten years, the firm has had 35 lead appearance in Delaware state court. The team is praised as 'extremely intelligent, gifted writers and excellent communicators who provide creative solutions to litigation matters‘. Michael Holmes in Dallas, who represented Regency Energy in a challenge to its $28bn merger with Energy Transfer Partners, and Michael Charlson in San Francisco lead the practice. Dallas-based John Wander and Clifford Thau in New York are also among the standout practitioners in deal-related matters.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP represents issuers, underwriters, accounting firms, financial institutions, and directors and officers in securities fraud class actions and other claims associated with stock-price declines, financial restatements, whistle-blower complaints, short-swing and insider trading allegations. It also has a strong track record in SEC, FINRA and DOJ investigations and enforcement actions. Michael Holmes in Dallas and Michael Charlson in San Francisco lead the practice. Holmes and fellow Dallas-based partner Craig Zieminski recently advised Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. on securities and derivative litigation arising from a highly publicized pipeline leak near Refugio State Beach, along the California coast. John Wander in Dallas and Clifford Thau in New York have general commercial litigation practices with a strong focus on securities litigation and regulatory and internal investigations.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a rounded practice, principally in the high-yield debt field, but with further credibility in investment grade and convertibles. The firm is building its presence in ESG and sustainable finance; it advised Goldman Sachs on Sunnova Energy International’s $400m green bond offering in 2021. While best known for its work in the energy and infrastructure sectors, it has gained further traction in REITs and lands further engagements through its expanding private equity client base. It is slightly more active on the issuer-side, but also frequently advises underwriters. Houston’s Mark Kelly, Gillian Hobson, Alan Beck, David Oelman, Ramey Layne and David Stone are amongst its key partners in the capital markets sphere, along with Washington DC partner Christopher Green.

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Vinson & Elkins LLP is best known for its work in the energy and infrastructure sectors, routinely advising on a high-volume of IPOs and other equity offerings, including high-value deals. The firm has also made an impression in REITs and is at the forefront of SPAC IPOs and deSPAC transactions. The firm’s burgeoning list of private equity clients has added to its deal flow. The firm primarily represents issuers, though has a solid pipeline of engagements from underwriters. Alan Beck  and David Oelman  are rated for energy sector IPOs and equity offerings. Ramey Layne is a prominent figure in SPAC IPOs and Brenda Lenahan is a key name in New York.

Finance > Commercial lending

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a strong position within the Texas market, though its work in the debt finance space is felt across the US. Given the group’s location, it is unsurprising that the energy sector is an area of particular focus; in addition to assisting commercial banks lending to actors in the sector, the firms also represents upstream, midstream, and downstream energy companies in major syndicated financings. Brian Moss  and Erec Winandy co-lead the national team from Houston and Dallas respectively and are both experienced in  acquisition and leveraged finance as well as asset-based and reserve-based lending. Outside of Texas, the group has a New York presence which includes David Wicklund  and Brett Santoli .

Industry focus > Energy regulation: electric power Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP handles proceedings before several regulatory bodies, including the FERC, DOE, NERC and PUCT. The group has experience representing clients in rate cases, non-public investigations, transmission-line certification cases, rulemakings and the sale and purchase of power generation facilities and transmission assets, among other matters. It also advises clients on compliance with NERC’s reliability standards and assists with obtaining grants and loan guarantees before the DOE. Based in Washington DC, John Decker handles both regulatory and transactional matters for natural gas and electric power clients. For expertise on regulations impacting the development, purchase and sale of utility-related infrastructure, Austin-based Michael Tomsu is recommended. James Seegers and Anita Wilson co-chair the group from Houston and Washington DC, respectively.

Industry focus > Energy transactions: electric power Tier 3

Industry focus > Environment: litigation Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP is skilled at handling a huge variety of environmental mandates, ranging from regulatory and permitting matters to federal environmental litigation. The team is well-versed in contentious and historical contamination cases across the country, and in litigating EPA’s regulations of national importance. Larry Nettles in Houston jointly heads up the environmental group with Washington DC-based Ronald Tenpas, who stands out for his strong track record in civil and criminal matters related to alleged environmental violations. In the Houston office, George Wilkinson is experienced in litigation before state and federal courts involving a range of environmental issues, including RCRA and CERCLA. Clean Air Act expert Eric Groten is a name to note in Austin for enforcement action defense. Clients engaged in environmental litigation and regulatory matters which involve complex scientific and technical issues regularly seek Margaret Peloso‘s advice. She is based in Washington DC.

Industry focus > Environment: transactional Tier 3

Drawing on the firm’s vast internal network of experienced lawyers, Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s sizeable environmental and natural resources department acts for a number of clients in relation to the management of environmental risks in large business transactions. The team, whose experience spans an array of environmentally sensitive industries, stands out for its credentials in the permitting space, and is seen with great regularity securing and defending permits for the development of conventional and renewable energy projects and industrial establishments. The practice has a strong base in Texas, with Houston-based Larry Nettles  taking the lead in multifaceted environmental issues in connection with major transactional mandates. He jointly heads up the practice with Ron Tenpas in Washington DC. Sitting in the Houston office, Matthew Dobbins  is seasoned in every major environmental statute, and offers legal support to financial institutions, corporations and private equity clients on a regular basis. Casey Hopkins  is a contact for allocations of liability in M&A deals, while Margaret Peloso  is noted for her climate change risk management experience. Both practitioners are based in DC.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP notably advises public and private companies across the oil and gas and energy sectors on the executive compensation and employee benefits aspects of high value M&A. The team also continues to see an ever-increasing number of SPAC transactions, as well as REIT mandates, in its workload. Houston-based David D’Alessandro leads the practice and focuses on tax and securities-related issues arising from executive compensation arrangements. In the firm’s Dallas office, Brian Bloom advises public and private companies and tax-exempt employers across the energy, manufacturing and healthcare sectors, while Shane Tucker handles equity-based compensatory arrangements. Based in New York,  Julia Petty was promoted to partner in January 2022, and is commended as a ‘leading expert in the executive compensation field’.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

At Vinson & Elkins LLP, the practice excels in large-scale capital markets transactions and structuring public and private REITs. The team has experience advising clients across a variety of asset types and leverages its capacities across finance, corporate and tax to handle cross-border matters. Daniel LeBey  leads the primary Virginia-based team with key contacts Greg Cope in Washington DC, who handles several marquee deals and multi-billion-dollar transactions, and corporate finance expert Chris Green. Counsel Zachary Swartz and Paige Anderson also comprise the core team. Christopher Mangin provides REIT tax specialism and advises on recapitalizations, fund formation and foreign investment issues.

Real estate Tier 3

Focusing on the New York and Texas real estate markets, Vinson & Elkins LLP‘ ‘outstanding lawyers’ work with core clients including private equity firms, REITS and developers. Paul Martin and Randy Jurgensmeyer are the key figures in Dallas for acquisitions, financing, leadings and developing of malls, office buildings, hotels, industrial parks, and apartment complexes. Wallace Schwartz is a preeminent New York real estate attorney with deep experience in the space.  

Tax > International tax Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP advises clients in the energy, finance, technology, and real estate sectors on tax matters concerning cross-border M&A and public offerings, REITS, and SPACs. In Houston co-department head George Gerachis and recently promoted Dallas-based co-head David Peck both cover cross-border M&A and transfer pricing planning. Operating out of Houston, John Lynch specializes in federal tax aspects of international energy and infrastructure transactions, while in Washington DC Natan Leyva advises multinationals on US tax compliance. He works alongside Gary Huffman, a key resource for international tax planning and litigation. Ron Nardini joined from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in June 2021. He is noted for his work on tax aspects of international investment of venture capital and hedge funds.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Based across multiple offices on the East Coast and throughout Texas, Vinson & Elkins LLP is especially strong in the fields of renewable and conventional energy taxation, working with a number of public and private corporations, funds, and other institutional investors. Partnerships, SPACs, and REITs are also core workflows for the interdisciplinary team. Houston-based practice co-head George Gerachis is highly experienced in both transactional and contentious matters, while Dallas-based practice co-head David Peck is regularly sought out by private equity houses for his expertise in fund formations and investment partnerships. Also in Houston, Ryan Carney is a prolific advisor with respect to Master Limited Partnerships, while John Lynch ‘s energy and infrastructure-focused practice encompasses company formations, asset sales, and restructurings. In Washington DC, Chris Mangin and Gary Huffman are noted for their respective strengths in REITs and partnership tax planning.  The ‘incredibly bright and creative‘ Ron Nardini, who joined in June 2021 from Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP,  focuses on credit, health care, and entertainment sector matters, working from the firm’s New York office.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: defense Tier 4

The antitrust team at Vinson & Elkins LLP, praised for having ‘excellent skill and experience in defending antitrust civil litigations’, is regularly sought after by clients in the energy, technology, automotive, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. Darren Tucker spearheads the practice from Washington DC with extensive experience in both domestic and international competition matters including global dominance investigations. Jason Powers and Harry Reasoner are names to note in the firm’s Houston office, while head of the antitrust government investigations team Hill Wellford and cartel and price-fixing specialist Craig Seebald are based in DC.

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

‘Diligent, knowledgeable and highly ethical‘, Vinson & Elkins LLP‘s appellate practice is particularly dominant in energy-related matters, in line with the wider firm’s signature strength. The team has also built up strong experience in First Amendment, IP, bankruptcy, tax and insurance-related issues. Led out of Texas, the group’s broad national footprint has seen it argue matters across the country, including in the US Supreme Court, all federal Circuit Courts of Appeals and state courts nationwide. Marie Yeates and Thomas Leatherbury co-chair the department from Houston and Dallas respectively. Washington DC-based counsel Joshua Johnson  departed for a role at the CFPB.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Vinson & Elkins LLP has ‘a good reputation with regulators’ but ‘it isn’t afraid to push back and prepare for litigation’. Under the leadership of New York’s Palmina Fava  and Washington DC’s Michael Dry, the practice continues to act for high-profile companies and individuals in relation to government investigations. It has particular experience in FCPA matters, FCA issues, antitrust, securities and congressional investigations. Zachary Terwilliger joined in Washington DC from his former role as United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

The 'highly intelligent and creative' practice at Vinson & Elkins LLP stands out for its specialist focus on energy, infrastructure development and construction disputes. The team secures a steady stream of both commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes and acts for the full range of private and public companies, sovereign states and state-owned entities. James Loftis drives the international dispute resolution practice from Houston and is widely recognized for his skill sets in the oil and gas and construction spheres. In New York, Camilo Cardozo demonstrates 'huge experience and knowledge' and is noted for his focus on Latin America-related matters. Counsel José Sanchez also has a significant LatAm dimension to his practice.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 4

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a diverse practice, with expertise in a magnitude of industries including energy, telecommunications, retail, real estate, healthcare and shipping. It represents clients in all matters pertaining to in and out-of-court restructurings. Noteworthy matters includes its representation of Riverstone Holdings LLC and its affiliates in its prepackaged Chapter 11 cases of its portfolio company, UTEX Industries, Inc. and its representation of Unit Corporation in relation to its financial restructuring arising from Chapter 11 matters. David Meyer  and Bill Wallander co-head the practice. Meyer is based in New York whilst Wallander splits his time between both New York and Dallas. The practice has been expanded at senior level with the promotion to partner of Jessica Peet, Bradley Foxman and Lauren Kanzer during 2021. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Industry focus > Sport Tier 4

Vinson & Elkins LLP offers a full range of integrated services to its clients and is regarded for its advice on licensing, technology development and data-related offerings. The practice also acts in litigation related to patent and IP matters. Dividing her time between Austin and New York is co-head Hilary Preston, with experience standing before trial and appellate courts in connection with IP and commercial disputes. Devika Kornbacher also co-heads the practice and divides her time between Houston and New York, being further noted for providing advice on data privacy, compliance and cybersecurity issues.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts Tier 4

Vinson & Elkins LLP continues to expand its share of the national private equity market, advising on a number of sophisticated transactions for notable sponsors including KKR, Carlyle, and Riverstone, combining traditional buyouts and portfolio company M&A with regular involvements in PE-led SPAC deals for the likes of Apollo and TPG. The firm is a long-standing leader in the energy space, handling bulge-bracket deals in areas such as midstream oil & gas and renewable energy, and is increasingly involved in tech and telecoms work in New York and California. The team is led from Houston by Keith Fullenweider , Matthew Strock , and David Oelman , with New York’s Jim Fox also a key player. Benji Barron joined the Houston office from an in-house position in July 2021, furthering the firm’s expertise in midstream energy transactions, while Gabriel Silva arrived at the New York office from January 2021 and brings a valuable relationship with Digitalbridge. Lande Spottswood in Houston is an increasingly influential name in the team, while Dallas’s John Grand is relationship partner for several of the firm’s major clients.

Real estate > Construction (including construction litigation) Tier 4

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

Tax > US taxes: contentious Tier 4

Vinson & Elkins LLP represents clients in financial services, health care, real estate, and energy industries on both domestic and international tax disputes before tax authorities, as well as tax disputes between private parties. The firm has seen an increase in representing partnerships often owned by high-net-worth individuals or major corporations, as well as filing amicus briefs. Based in Houston, tax controversy team lead George Gerachis represents clients in Tax and Federal District Courts. He works alongside David Cole, who specializes in tax controversy, ranging from audits to IRS appeals and litigation. In Washington DC, Gary Huffman focuses on high-profile financial institutions and oil and gas corporations, and is a key resource regarding tax dispute resolution matters.

Dispute resolution > General commercial disputes Tier 5

Clients appreciate Vinson & Elkins LLP for its ‘approach which is carefully tailored in order to provide a unique, right-sized level of support for each matter at hand.‘ The team acts before federal and state courts, administrative agencies, arbitral tribunals, and appellate courts on behalf of clients from various industries, such as energy, banking, private equity, financial institutions, pharmaceuticals, environmental, mining, and media/entertainment. Jim Thompson in Houston and John Wander in Dallas head up the firm’s wider litigation practice. Craig Seebald in Washington DC and Michael Holmes in Dallas lead the litigation group, with Houston's Chris Popov and Christopher Duffy in Washington DC leading the complex commercial litigation team.

Dispute resolution > Leading trial lawyers Tier 6

Michael Holmes – Vinson & Elkins LLP

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

Vinson & Elkins LLP is a long-established player in the field of energy-related M&A and is also an active name in the technology, consumer goods, life sciences, real estate and finance sectors. Based in Houston, Keith Fullenweider handles private equity and public company merger deals, boasting specialist expertise in transactions with conflict, specialist committee process and regulated business components. Other key names are based in Dallas and New York, among other locations.

Government > Government relations

Industry focus > Transport: aviation and air travel - finance

Real estate > Land use/zoning

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy Tier 3

Vinson & Elkins LLP has a deepening presence in Latin America, retaining its traditional presence in oil and gas and the broader energy sector, along with additional growth in digital infrastructure and other segments. The firm is known for its recent experience in Mexico’s oil and gas industry, including projects involving links between the US and Mexico itself. Combining strength in project development, project finance and energy M&A, the firm has achieved further growth in Brazil, notably advising New Fortress Energy on LNG import terminal development and natural gas marketing and sales matters in Brazil, including the development and sale of natural gas from its Suape, Sergipe and Barcarena LNG receiving and regasification terminals. Houston partner Mark Brasher has a strong track-record in Latin America’s energy markets, for clients such as New Fortress Energy, while New York’s Gabriel Silva continues to work on a number of digital infrastructure and telecoms projects and transactions in Brazil. New York partner Eamon Nolan is another Latin America expert and Houston’s Alan Alexander is also rated for Mexico oil and gas and renewables projects.

Latin America: International firms > Corporate and M&A Tier 4

Vinson & Elkins LLP continues to impress in the energy and infrastructure field, including in investments and acquisitions by private equity funds. The Latin America team has developed its traditional strengths in line with key economic trends, notably in clean energy and digital infrastructure. The relatively recent hires of Eamon Nolan and dual-qualified (Brazil/New York) Gabriel Silva to the New York office have significantly deepened the firm’s Latin America credentials; the former is noted for Mexico power and renewables deals and the latter specialises in Brazil transactions, especially telecoms and digital infrastructure deals. Houston partners Mark Brasher and Alan Alexander are also experienced in Latin America energy deals.

Latin America: International firms > Compliance and investigations

Vinson & Elkins LLP is especially noted for energy (including oil and gas) sector cases, including allegations of FCPA violations, along with investigations linked to M&A and project development due diligence. The government investigations and white-collar defence practice is also active in the technology and financial services sectors. New York partner Palmina Fava  is a genuine Latin America specialist with an active practice in investigations and compliance programmes. Washington DC’s Ephraim Wernick is an experienced figure in FCPA investigations by the DOJ and SEC. Matthew Jacobs has joined DLA Piper LLP (US).

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration

Houston-based James Loftis leads a Vinson & Elkins LLP international arbitration team that provides ‘clear, precise and well-founded solutions’ for its clients in both commercial and investor-state matters. The ‘excellent’ Camilo Cardozo in New York is a key contact for Latin America work, with London-based Nick Henchie known for his extensive construction industry expertise. Up-and-coming New York-based partner José F Sanchez handles arbitral matters in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, and has experience of ICC, ICSID, ICDR, LCIA, UNCITRAL and Brazil-Canada Chamber of Commerce rules - particularly as regards infrastructure, energy, investor-state relationships, and post-acquisition disputes.