Mr Michael O'Leary > Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

With ‘deep experience’ in the M&A practice, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP works in coordination with its capital markets and data security departments to advise on M&A due diligence, regulatory matters, and corporate restructurings. Counting mortgage and utilities companies amongst its client roster, the team’s scope of work also includes REIT M&A, energy M&A, and public and private transactions. The group is co-led by Richmond lawyer Steven Haas, who covers strategic acquisitions and divestitures, shareholder activism, and public company sales, and Washington DC-based Steven Patterson, a key contact for public and private securities offerings. In Houston, Michael O’Leary is skilled in private equity, joint ventures, and spin-offs, while Miami-based Fernando Alonso handles M&A in the finance sector, often representing foreign clients in their US acquisitions.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP advises oil and gas majors, state-owned enterprises, and financial institutions on transactions, financings, and regulatory matters across the upstream, midstream, and LNG sectors. The firm’s broad practice spans onshore and offshore developments, with a growing focus on energy transition projects, including carbon capture initiatives. Co-head Michael O’Leary, who also has an impressive capital markets practice, provides skill in M&A and PE transactions, while co-head Carl Von Merz adds further domestic and cross border transactional expertise across the upstream and midstream. Jordan Hirsch has a strong track record acting as underwriters counsel for significant debt and equity capital raises for major energy companies. Cheryl Phillips is noted for her skill in commercial contracts, overseeing joint operating agreements, drilling arrangements, and oil and gas leases. All individuals are based in Houston.