Vinson & Elkins LLP

01 May 2007

Vinson & Elkins LLP in Who's Who Legal: Texas

In the early years, Vinson & Elkins made its name in the booming oil industry and it stays true to its roots, maintaining one of the world's most prominent energy practices.  Jay Kelley, Douglas Bland and managing partner Joseph Dilg come highly recommended in the Oil and Gas, highlighting the firm's bench strength in this area. The client base speaks volumes and over the past few years the firm has represented Occidental Petroleum, Devon Energy, Forest Oil, BG Group, Total Gas & Power North America, Shell International, El Paso and Reliance Petroleum, among many others. Project finance is yet another string to the firm's bow and both Bilger and Bland again feature prominently. They are joined in the chapter by the "top-flight" Marcia Backus, who inter alia represented the project company in the development and OPIC financing of a build-own-operate gas processing project in Venezuela.

A strong stable of energy clients ensures a steady flow of environmental work, something the firm is well equipped to handle - Vinson & Elkins has eight lawyers in the chapter, more than any other firm. Carol Dinkins chairs the administrative and environmental law practice and received more recommendations than any other individual. The V&E lawyers we feature cover the full spectrum of environmental law, offering advice on regulatory, contentious and transactional matters. It is unsurprising, therefore, that one source was led to comment, "Vinson & Elkins' environmental practice is one of the best in the state due to the quality of work and the number of high quality individuals."

Aside from its energy and environmental credentials, V&E also boasts a prominent corporate practice. The mergers & acquisitions chapter is a case in point, with the firm boasting a total of five nominees. Michael Wortley co-heads the firm's section on corporate finance and securities and was specifically recommended for his work on behalf of private equity funds.

Highlights for the group include the representation of Ocean Energy in its $5.3 billion acquisition by Devon Energy Corporation. Wortley also features prominently in the corporate governance chapter, where he is joined by Jeffrey Chapman ("highly recommended") and Mark Kelly. Vinson & Elkins also tops the bill in the banking section with four nominees - more than any other firm. Larry Barbour's showing in the research is particularly noteworthy. Capital markets is another strength and the firm lays claim to six of a total of 20 individuals included in the chapter. During 2006 the firm handled more than 100 securities offerings with a total value of $28 billion, including the representation of the underwriters in connection with the $5.5 billion offering of senior notes by Anadarko Petroleum. The firm is also strong for IPOs according to our sources.

Vinson & Elkins contributes five individuals to the commercial litigation chapter. Harry Reasoner is perhaps one of Texas's most respected practitioners and has represented major oil companies, television networks, chemical companies and investment bankers to name but a few. Reasoner was rated by more than one source as "one of the best trial lawyers in the country" and also features prominently in the competition section of the publication.

The product liability defence chapter features three V&E lawyers, further highlighting the firm's excellent dispute resolution credentials. With prominent nominees in a further 10 chapters, it is unsurprising that the firm emerges as the most respected outfit in the Texan market.

It is not possible to buy entry into Who's Who Legal

terms and conditionscontact us