Profile: Jay D Kelley

Oil and Gas

Biography: Oil and Gas

Jay Kelley is a partner in the business and international section of Vinson & Elkins. His practice covers finance, energy, and general commercial matters, with an emphasis in the areas of project development and acquisitions. In the energy area, he has worked on various projects involving oil and gas (including LNG), power (including renewable power), and petrochemicals. He is experienced in negotiating partnership, shareholder, construction, operating and offtake arrangements; and various other project documents. Mr Kelley is also experienced in negotiating many types of financial transactions, including commodity hedging, bank debt, private placements, rule 144A bond offerings, and leveraged leases. His international experience includes projects in Trinidad, Venezuela, Indonesia, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Equatorial Guinea, Singapore and the United Kingdom.

Mr Kelley has been recognised by Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers, 2001-2008 (currently listed in the area of energy: oil and gas transactions); Chambers USA: America's Leading Business Lawyers, 2002-2008 (currently listed in the areas of projects law and energy and natural resources law); The Best Lawyers in America, 2006-2008 (currently listed in the areas of corporate law, energy law, oil & gas law, project finance law, and international trade & finance law); The Lawdragon 500 Dealmakers in America, 2007; "Texas Super Lawyer" in energy and natural resources, in Texas Monthly, 2007; Legal Media Group's Guide to the World's Leading Project Finance Lawyers, 2006 & 2008; The International Who's Who of Oil and Gas Lawyers, 2007, 2008; and Who's Who Legal: Texas in oil and gas law, 2007-2008.

He graduated from the University of Texas, BBA in 1981; and the University of Houston, JD summa cum laude, in 1985. He was certified as a public accountant in 1983.