
With expertise in both traditional fossil fuels and renewable technologies, Bracewell LLP has a robust offering which covers M&A, divestitures, and joint ventures, as well as equity investments, project finance, and energy project development. The team’s wide scope has amassed a strong client roster comprised of investors, underwriters, and energy companies. In Houston, Ryan Holcomb heads up the practice and specializes in the acquisition and divestiture of assets and companies, joint ventures, and structured commodity transactions, while in Washington DC, Danielle M. Varnell leads the team and concentrates on energy M&A, portfolio acquisitions and divestitures, and equity investments and sales. Catherine Hood, who is the main contact in the New York office, is noted for her aptitude handling financing transactions and regularly represents public utility companies on debt, equity, and hybrid securities, as well as commercial lending deals. Houston-based Shannon Baldwin is another key name in the department due to her experience advising on capital markets and MLP dropdown transactions. The team also benefits from the prowess of Washington DC's Laura Sheldon who specializes in the purchase and sale of renewable energy assets.
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Key clients
- Arroyo Investors, LLC
- NRG Energy, Inc.
- Rockland Capital, LP
- Competitive Power Ventures, Inc.
- Invenergy, LLC
- Underwriters for DTE Electric Company
- PPL Electric Utilities Corporation
- Louisville Gas and Electric Company
- Kentucky Utilities Company
- Investors for DTE Gas Company
Work highlights
- Represented Competitive Power Ventures Group in entering into a strategic partnership with Harrison Street.
- Represented Rockland Capital in the acquisition of the Chalk Point Power Facility and the Dickerson Power Facility from an affiliate of Olympus Power, LLC.
- Advised underwriters in DTE Electric Company’s public aggregate offering of $1 billion general and refunding mortgage bonds.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Shannon Baldwin
Practice head
Ryan Holcomb; Danielle M. Varnell; Catherine Hood
Other key lawyers
Shannon Baldwin; Laura Sheldon