Most Highly Regarded Firms: Texas 2009 - Banking
Twenty-seven lawyers from 10 firms feature in the banking chapter this year.
The firms often have a reach far beyond the state boundaries, and represent international banking clients and have strong reputations for energy work. The largest contingent of lawyers on our list comes from Vinson & Elkins LLP. "A clear leader in the state", V&E boasts clients such as Credit Suisse and JPMorgan Chase, and the firm has a "great reputation" for work in the energy sector. Larry Barbour is "a wonderful lawyer, who is always able to deliver solutions", according to sources. His work related to energy projects is well known within the community and recent transactions include representing agent banks in transactions involving offshore piping systems and platforms, exploration and production companies, and oil and gas properties. Craig Murray is another "star for energy work", who has experience in working on debt-financing for lenders and borrowers and representing banks and insurance companies on investments. The "outstanding" Robert Rabalais is complimented for his broad practice. His recent transactions include representing BNP Paribas in an acquisition bridge commitment for Petrohawk Energy's $1.9 billion acquisition of KCS. James Markus is a "great lending lawyer", who has special experience in real estate loans. Recent transactions include a $1.5 billion syndicated revolving credit facility. William Young's experience lies in international and US-based private debt transactions. The "very astute" Paris Theofanidis completes the firm's contingent. He concentrates on finance, derivatives and structured products.
Andrews Kurth LLP fields a trio of lawyers from a group that deals with transactional and regulatory matters, such as REITs, loan matters and syndicated financing transactions. David Barbour is "excellent for asset security", and one peer lauded him as being "top of the heap in Texas". His experience includes drafting mortgage-backed securitisation legislation for Russia and Ukraine. Douglas Dillon is also deemed "top of the list" for loan matters, representing lenders and borrowers. He also fulfils a "valued advisory role" on regulatory and lender liability matters, among others. He acted as counsel to El Paso Corporation on a $100 million syndicated revolving credit facility with JP Morgan Chase. Thomas Perich rounds off the Andrews Kurth contingent. Peers praise his "consistent good results" on transactions such as JPMorgan Chase's $1 billion syndicated floor plan and acquisition facility to Group 1 Automotive.
Three Winstead PC lawyers also appear in this chapter. The group was complimented as being "established and able to deal with the full gamut of deals", working on single-lender and syndicated credit facilities, workout matters and other transactions. David Keyes received widespread acclaim for his "outstanding work" on secured and unsecured lending and borrowing. He represented a European bank in extending credit for oil and gas exploration and development in Russia. Michael Hilliard also focuses on lending, from revolving facilities to equipment leasing in a wide range of industries. Nelson Block is a "great lawyer" who concentrates his practice on creating and implementing strategies for business transactions.
Strong in transactional, litigation and regulatory matters, Haynes and Boone LLP's clients include Deutsche Bank, Wachovia, Citibank and Bank of America. The firm is recommended for syndicated lending, subscription secured credit facilities and fund lending. The "excellent" Joseph Vilardo has "substantial experience" in energy-related matters. Theresa Einhorn is "first rate", with over 25 years' experience in the field, which encompasses the energy, real estate and aircraft industries, among others. Timothy Powers oversees the firm's international practice and is "fabulous for international banking work".
Baker Botts LLP "has great presence in the state", according to contributors to the survey. With a "uniformly strong team", the firm "can be counted upon to step up to the plate on any transaction", according to sources. Clients include JPMorgan Chase and Citibank. The "excellent" head of finance, Rick Goyne, was recommended for his work in the energy industry as well as performing high-yield debt offerings and structured financings. A significant part of his practice is devoted to syndicated financings. He recently represented the agent bank on a $1.5 billion revolving credit facility for a pipeline company. Rufus Cormier is also highly regarded among peers, who called him "a super practitioner".
Weil Gotshal & Manges LLP's "awesome" Angela Fontana represents an "admirable" stable of clients such as HBK, Providence Equity Partners and Diamond Castle in transactions in the US and abroad. She represented Hunt Consolidated in a $105 million credit facility. Glenn West is "a safe pair of hands" on a wide range of transactions and has worked on both domestic and international matters.
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP's banking group is "large, established and respected", according to sources, with a strong track record in both transactional and regulatory matters. The firm's clients include Scotiabank, BNP Paribas, Calyon, Wells Fargo and Bank of America. The firm's managing partner Mark Evans is experienced in representing commercial banks from around the world in complex transactions and has represented banks in lending to Japanese, Mexican, Canadian, Venezuelan and French companies. William Hayes also drew consistent positive comments. With over 30 years' experience in the field, respondents to the survey noted his work on syndicated bank credit facilities. Fulbright & Jaworski LLP also achieves a dual listing in the publication with the outstanding pair, Frank Garcia and Eric Anderson.
Thompson & Knight LLP has a broad-based banking practice, which advises borrowers and lenders. Dorothy Bjorck focuses on lending and structured finance transactions, and is "great for oil and gas work". Recent matters include representing an agent bank and arranger in a $400 million syndicated credit facility for a gas pipeline and marketing facility. Respondents to the survey also see James McKellar as "hugely competent". Nick Sorensen of Porter & Hedges LLP has "a very solid practice", representing lenders and borrowers, and equity participants providing credit enhancement. Michael Niebruegge of Mayer Brown LLP completes the chapter. His clients include major US and international banks.