Vinson & Elkins
(The following information was supplied by the firm)
Firm Overview:
For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins’ lawyers have provided innovative business solutions for clients whose needs are as diverse as the entities they represent. In today’s challenging environment of global markets, volatile economies and complex human and environmental issues, its time-tested role as trusted adviser has become even more critical. Its lawyers’ experience, combined with the responsiveness and efficiencies of the firm’s global reach, enable Vinson & Elkins to serve clients from start-up, to the negotiating table and boardroom, before legislative and regulatory bodies, in the courtroom and beyond.
Main Areas of Practice:
14 offices worldwide allow Vinson & Elkins’ lawyers to work efficiently across time zones as well as with local lawyers in foreign jurisdictions to accomplish the client’s objectives. In addition to legal experience, the firm has strong personal relationships with business people and other professionals that offer significant benefits to the client, including broad experience in transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions, cultures and languages. The firm effectively guides its clients through a wide range of transactions, such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures and strategic alliances, public and private offerings of securities in the developed and emerging capital markets, as well as development and financing of a variety of projects. Vinson & Elkins’ lawyers also know the importance of seeking proper protection against adverse developments and have handled many high-stakes international disputes. The firm’s international dispute resolution team engages in international arbitration under all leading institutional rules, as well as international civil litigation in US courts and in other jurisdictions. The firm’s lawyers work with their clients to develop effective solutions to the complex problems and unique challenges of international business.
Practice Areas:
■ Admiralty & Maritime
■ Antitrust
■ Appellate
■ Aviation & Airlines
■ Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
■ Capital Markets & Securities
■ Clean Energy
■ Climate Change
■ Construction & Engineering
■ Corporate Governance & Compliance
■ Energy & Natural Resources
■ Energy Regulatory
■ Environmental
■ Executive Compensation & Benefits
■ Export Controls & Economic Sanctions
■ Finance
■ Government Contracts
■ Infrastructure
■ Intellectual Property
■ International Dispute Resolution
■ Labour & Employment
■ Litigation
■ Master Limited Partnerships
■ Mergers & Acquisitions
■ Mining & Minerals
■ National Security Review (CFIUS)
■ Private Equity
■ Project Finance & Development
■ Real Estate
■ REITS
■ Restructuring & Reorganisation
■ Securities Litigation & Enforcement
■ Tax
■ Technology
■ Telecommunications
Key Contacts
Firm Rankings
Banking & Finance
Band 2
8.0
Bankruptcy
Band 1
Corporate/M&A
Band 1
9.0
Real Estate
Band 2
8.5
Restructuring & Insolvency
Band 3
7.0
Tax
Band 3
7.0
White-Collar Crime
Band 4
5.0
Leading Lawyers
Articles
On 22 February 2024, the UK government confirmed the UK’s withdrawal from the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), blaming a failure of efforts to modernise the treaty and align it with net zero aims. The UK joins nine EU member states, including France, Spain, and Germany, in withdrawing from the treaty. The ECT is a multilateral […]
While 2022 showed that the sustainable debt market is not impervious to overall economic slow-down (particularly in the capital markets), 2023 demonstrated its resiliency, even in a high-interest rate market. Notwithstanding increasing undercurrents of greenwashing concerns and skepticism, banks, investors and companies continue to turn their attention to environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors in […]
On February 28, 2024, President Joe Biden issued a landmark Executive Order titled “Preventing Access to Americans’ Bulk Sensitive Personal Data and United States Government-Related Data by Countries of Concern” (the “Order”). The regulations stemming from the Order are far from final or effective, but the Order itself and the DOJ’s recently published advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (“ANPRM”) […]
Following a nearly two-year wait, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or “Commission”) released its Final Rule—The Enhancement and Standardization of Climate-Related Disclosures for Investors—on March 6, 2024. The Final Rule, which becomes effective 60 days after its publication in the Federal Register, requires publicly listed U.S. companies and foreign private issuers to disclose certain climate-related […]
Opportunities, Risks and Conflicts for Japanese Contractors to Consider When Taking Equity in a Project Japanese heavy-industries companies that typically act as contractors or suppliers on projects are increasingly invited to contribute as equity investors in the projects they construct or supply major equipment to, thereby taking a role as a project sponsor while also […]
Global air travel traffic (measured in revenue per kilometers (RPKs)) begins 2024 in line with pre-COVID highs. Certain markets, such as US domestic and intra-European have already surpassed pre-COVID levels and despite some lingering headwinds there are real causes for optimism globally that air travel passenger demand is back and new heights will be reached […]
On January 30, 2024, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and five co-plaintiffs representing a coalition of business groups filed a lawsuit against the state of California seeking to block the state’s new landmark climate disclosure laws. The plaintiffs filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, arguing that the Climate […]
ExxonMobil (“Exxon”) filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas on Sunday, January 21, 2024, seeking a declaratory judgment to exclude a shareholder proposal from its proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Rule 14a-8”) and not present the proposal for a vote […]
Recent headlines have been dominated by rapid developments in generative artificial intelligence, and a number of startups are positioning themselves to offer new tools to the legal industry making use of this groundbreaking technology. While these developments may change legal practice going forward, machine learning and other powerful algorithms already play a huge role in […]
On December 18, 2023, the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Department of Justice (the “Agencies”) jointly released new Merger Guidelines (the “Guidelines”), setting forth the analytical framework the Agencies will use to review proposed mergers and acquisitions. The Guidelines combine and replace the existing 2010 Horizontal Merger Guidelines and 2020 Vertical Merger Guidelines in one document. The […]
Jon Solorzano, Sarah Morgan, Matt Dobbins and Chloe Schmergel of Vinson & Elkins discuss environmental, social and governance matters for companies to consider in 2024. Corporate sustainability continues to evolve, and keeping pace in 2024 means confronting five big questions. For proponents of ESG (environmental, social & governance), 2023 might have felt like a big setback. Asset management giants scaled […]
On November 17, 2023, the Department of the Treasury (“Treasury”) and the Internal Revenue Service (the “Service”) issued proposed regulations [REG-132569-17] regarding the definition of “energy property” and related rules applicable to the energy credit (the “Proposed Regulations”) available under section 48 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).1 Additionally, the Proposed […]
Distribution waterfalls are ubiquitous in the private investment world. They determine participation in cash flows or profits that is not in proportion to invested capital such as the incentive element (aka “promote” or “carry”) of equity arrangements. While the basic concept remains the same across investment funds and portfolio companies, the implementation and details frequently […]
On November 27, 2023, the New York State Department of Financial Services (“DFS”) and First American Title Insurance Company (“First American”) entered into a consent order1 that resolved litigation over First American’s cybersecurity practices. Though the associated fine ($1 million) was relatively small, the order serves as a reminder to all organizations that simply having cybersecurity […]
Key Takeaways: The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS” or “agency”) will be auditing 75 of the largest partnerships, including hedge funds, real estate investment partnerships, publicly traded partnerships, and law firms, in addition to conducting 500 compliance audits of partnerships across industries These audits will be heavily coordinated and will use data analytics, including Artificial Intelligence […]
The UK has announced that it will review its membership of the Energy Charter Treaty (the “ECT” or “Treaty”) if there is no agreement on modernisation by November 2023. This announcement comes after a second vote on modernisation, previously scheduled for April 2023, was postponed. The UK and EU had been key drivers in the modernisation of […]
As public companies anticipate the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) final climate disclosure rules, which are expected to be released sometime fourth quarter of 2023, California has beaten the federal government to the punch. On September 12, 2023, the California State Senate passed the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) (“CCDAA”) which could quickly affect many companies […]
The latest report from Vinson & Elkins, The Evolving Role of ESG in M&A: Balancing Risks and Opportunities, addresses how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations should be incorporated into every merger & acquisition transaction. The report analyzes five areas where ESG issues can impact M&A deals, from the initial stages of identifying targets, conducting due diligence […]
As we inch closer to potentially unlocking a treasure trove of minerals on the ocean floor, all eyes are on the UN-body International Seabed Authority (ISA). In this article, Louise Woods and Elena Guillet discuss the financial regime of deep-sea mining. The ISA needs to finalise the rules governing deep-sea mining in international waters, known in legal terms as […]
Latest Attack on the Federal Honest Services Fraud Statute Earlier this month, a federal judge vacated two convictions related to the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) investigation into corruption in international soccer, widely known as the “FIFA Case.”1 Despite the jury’s findings that the defendants were guilty of honest services fraud for their involvement in bribery and […]
On September 18, 2023 the UK Competition and Markets Authority (“CMA”) published its initial report regarding competition and consumer protection issues implicated by artificial intelligence (“AI”) foundation models (the “CMA Report”). The CMA Report makes clear the UK agency’s intent to engage in proactive regulation of AI technology and vigorous enforcement at a time when legislators and […]
Carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”) projects represent a critical pillar in many companies’ strategies to navigate the low-carbon transition. However, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) delays in issuing permits authorizing CCS projects has hampered development. This permitting logjam includes both EPA’s direct issuance of permits and its review and approval of individual states’ applications […]
As the world transitions to a decarbonised energy system, hydrogen has become a clear front-runner as a potential transition and post-carbon fuel source. There has been a surge in interest in hydrogen produced by renewable energy, known as green hydrogen, or produced from traditional fossil fuels but coupled with carbon capture technology, known as blue […]
In advance of its September 8, 2023 board meeting, the California Privacy Protection Agency (“CPPA”), the state’s privacy regulatory body, has unveiled draft regulations that could significantly impact cybersecurity protocols, artificial intelligence (“AI”), and automated decision-making practices. Though these draft regulations are still under discussion and haven’t been officially implemented, it’s crucial for businesses to understand what […]
The second part of 28th Session of the International Seabed Authority’s Council continues in Jamaica with the international community lying anxiously in wait. One major international actor is notably absent from the discussions: the United States. Like a number of other states, the U.S. has signed but not ratified the 1982 UN Convention on the Law […]
Securing a carbon-neutral future requires seismic shifts across the global energy system. And as a versatile, powerful energy carrier, hydrogen promises to play a vital role. But fulfilling this promise won’t be easy, and doing so will depend largely on an ability to conceive forward-thinking low-carbon hydrogen projects, attract financing for them, and deliver them […]
On July 12, 2023, Vinson & Elkins counsel Jon Solorzano, former Senior Director, Legal and Corporate Development for The Clorox Company, joined Pam Cone of Amity Advisory for “ESG: Balancing Priorities at the Leadership Level.” Practicing Law Institute produced the program, and more than 350 lawyers registered, representing many of the country’s largest corporations. At Clorox, […]
In this V&E+ interview, Lawrence and Patrick share their thoughts on the 2023 proxy season, peacetime preparation for activism defense, and the HBO show that no one could seem to stop talking about. The 2023 proxy season just wrapped up. What did we learn? Lawrence: Data from some of the latest annual meetings is still trickling in, […]
As set out in our previous alert Pivotal Year for Deep-Sea Mining, the deep seabed is rich in mineral concretions containing cobalt, nickel, copper and manganese called polymetallic nodules. A vast number of these nodules are located in the seabed beyond national jurisdiction (the “Area”) an area addressed in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the […]
At the conclusion of a hotly contested Texas 88th Regular Legislative Session, the Texas Legislature has passed, and Governor Abbott has signed into law, two major pieces of legislation that could have substantial impacts on the Texas electric grid and energy market. The two bills, Senate Bill (“SB”) 2627, and House Bill (“HB”) 1500, comprise the second […]
The drumbeat of opposition to non-compete agreements is getting even louder, as New York is now poised to enact a law that, if passed, would create sweeping prohibitions against non-competes in that state. This continues a trend in which the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) announced a proposed rule to ban non-competes at the federal level, and several […]
Texas will soon join the growing list of states that have passed comprehensive data privacy legislation. House Bill 4, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (“TDPSA” or the “Act”), has a broad reach and will apply to all businesses operating in Texas or selling products or services to Texas residents and collecting personal information […]
Investment, Incentives, and Collaboration Hydrogen can play a vital role in the transition to a carbon-neutral economy, and momentum for it has never been stronger. Both governments and companies see the enormous potential of low-carbon hydrogen for storing energy, for powering a wide array of applications, and for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, especially where doing […]
While employers wait to see whether, and to what extent, the Federal Trade Commission enacts its proposed rule banning non-competes, the Office of the General Counsel for the National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”) has joined the fray, denouncing the legality of restrictive covenants. On May 30, 2023, Jennifer A. Abruzzo, General Counsel of the […]
Final rules to modernize share repurchase disclosure will go into effect for the first periodic report that covers the first full fiscal quarter that begins on or after October 1, 2023. For calendar-year companies, that first report will be the Form 10-K filed in early 2024 for fiscal year 2023. In summary, the new rules […]
Transitioning to a carbon-neutral economy will require meaningful commitment and action from nearly every major industry. Automakers must electrify much of their fleets. Farmers must adopt climate-smart practices that help soil store more carbon. Miners must ramp up output to meet soaring demand for raw materials. It’s a list that could stretch for pages. But […]
On April 28, 2023, U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden issued the latest blow to the Department of Justice’s (“DOJ”) efforts to criminally prosecute individuals who engage in “no-poach” agreements by granting the defendants’ motion for judgment of acquittal. The DOJ had charged the defendants with entering into a conspiracy “to suppress competition by allocating employees in […]
At long last, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is poised to grant Louisiana authority to issue Class VI permits under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act’s (“SDWA”) Underground Injection Control (“UIC”) program for long-term carbon capture and sequestration (“CCS”). EPA’s proposed approval will be subject to a 60-day comment period following its publication in the Federal […]
On April 3, 2023, in Ironburg Inventions Ltd. v. Valve Corp., Nos. 21-2296, 21-2297, 22-1070 (Fed. Cir. Apr. 3, 2023), the Federal Circuit for the first time defined the standard for determining the scope of estoppel set forth in 35 U.S.C. § 315(e)(2) for prior art that was not raised in an inter partes review (“IPR”) petition. Under […]
On March 3, 2023, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued long-awaited guidelines on how it will evaluate whether companies have implemented appropriate guidance and controls on the use of personal devices and third-party and ephemeral messaging platforms. That guidance allows for a fact-specific analysis rather than hard and fast rules — a welcome approach in this ubiquitous […]
On March 29, 2023, California’s Office of Administrative Law (OAL) approved the California Privacy Protection Agency (CPPA) Board’s initial package of regulations under the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). The final CPRA regulations (“CPRA Regulations”) cover a wide array of topics including consumer rights, business’s obligations in handling personal information, user interface design, sharing of information with […]
What is meta-discovery? Discovery on discovery, or meta-discovery, is discovery directed at the manner and methods that opposing counsel used to locate, preserve, search, review, and produce relevant information. Examples of such requests include: A copy of the party’s document preservation policy A copy of the party’s litigation hold A copy of the party’s document […]
Sharing competitively sensitive information can carry antitrust risks in certain situations. Recently, the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice indicated that it will take an increased interest in challenging information sharing as a potential antitrust violation in the health care sector and, possibly, other industries. While the division’s enforcement focus appears to be […]
On February 9, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced settled charges against Payward Ventures, Inc. and Payward Trading, Ltd. (together, “Kraken”) for failure to “register the offer and sale of their crypto asset staking-as-a-service program[.]”1 This enforcement action raises new questions — and has even spurred criticism from within — about the SEC’s chosen […]
Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is revolutionizing the workplace, and bringing with it unique cybersecurity challenges. With the increased prominence of AI also comes the need for new cybersecurity approaches. As AI models are increasingly used in critical applications such as finance, health care, and national security, the potential for cyber-attacks targeting these systems is growing. The […]
After 18 months of numerous workshops, drafts, and discussions, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (“NIST”) published its inaugural AI Risk Management Framework (the “AI Framework”) in January 2023. Over the last year, artificial intelligence (“AI”) has become the hot topic of conversation. Recent breakthroughs in generative AI are driving this surge in popularity, giving AI systems the […]
Through Council Regulation (EU) 2022/328 of February 25, 2022, the European Union introduced new sanctions relating to, among other things, Russian aggression in Ukraine. The regulation amended Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 to introduce a raft of new prohibitions, with the new Article 3c most relevant to aircraft leasing and financing. Pursuant to Article 3c, among […]
As a result of ongoing discussions, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union announced on December 13, 2022, that a provisional agreement had been reached to implement a European Union (“EU”) Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (“CBAM”) beginning on October 1, 2023. The CBAM, the first of its kind, is designed to mitigate the risks […]
Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic”) agreed to pay a combined $520 million in two “record-breaking settlements” on Monday. The settlements resolve alleged violations of both the Federal Trade Commission Act (the “FTC Act”) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (the “COPPA Rule”). Epic Games, Inc. (“Epic”) agreed to pay a combined $520 million in two […]
On December 14, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC” or the “Commission”) announced charges against eight social media influencers in a $100 million securities fraud scheme, alleging that they manipulated the market through an arrangement of coordinated misrepresentations to their thousands of followers on Twitter and Discord (an instant-messaging social platform). The defendants in […]
Courts Remain Split on Release Provisions Third-party release provisions are a common feature of almost every chapter 11 plan in large bankruptcy cases. Despite this, there has long been a split among bankruptcy courts and Circuit Courts of Appeal on the scope and permissibility of such third-party release provisions. With the recent wave of large, […]
Just eight weeks after former Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng unexpectedly announced the largest package of tax cuts implemented in the UK since the 1970s, the UK Government has now effectively gone into full reverse following new Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s Autumn Statement, delivered on 17 November 2022, in which he announced a £55 billion combined package of tax […]
On October 31, 2022, the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division (“DOJ”) announced that the president of a Montana paving and asphalt contractor, Nathan Nephi Zito, had pleaded guilty to one count of attempting to monopolize the highway crack-sealing services markets in Montana and Wyoming.1 The guilty plea marks the DOJ’s first criminal prosecution under Section […]
On October 25, 2022, a federal jury in Houston awarded a woman $365,000,000 in punitive damages and over $1,000,000 in compensatory damages, after finding that her employer had terminated her in retaliation for complaining about race discrimination. While this amount may not stand after appeal, the case and the sums at issue are notable. I […]
Following a highly negative response from the financial markets and the IMF, amongst others, to the UK Government’s “Growth Plan 2022” (released on 23 September 2022 by the then-new Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng and summarised by us here) (the “Mini-Budget”), the replacement Chancellor Jeremy Hunt made an Emergency Statement on 17 October in which he announced, by […]
Here Comes the Fashion (Cybersecurity) Police: New York Attorney General Imposes Penalty for Mishandling of Consumer Data Breach On October 12, 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James fined Zoetop Business Company, Ltd. (“Zoetop”), the owner of fast-fashion brands SHEIN and ROMWE, $1.9 million for mishandling a 2018 data breach and lying to the public […]
Don’t Forget the G: After Years of “Environmental” and “Social” Regulations and Enforcement, the SEC’s Recent Priorities Demonstrate a Focus on “Governance” The SEC has been busy under the Biden administration. From rulemaking to enforcement, the agency is pushing boundaries and expanding its reach into new and active areas of the market. Here, we provide […]
Demand for Narrowbody Aircraft Exceeds the Available Supply Outside of Asia, summer travel has seen a large recovery and this has coincided with a large uptick in demand for narrowbody aircraft by both airlines and lessors. Many airlines and lessors used the Covid-induced travel downturn as an opportunity to turnover their fleets to favor newer, […]
On September 15, 2022, the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) sued to block ASSA ABLOY AB’s (“ASSA ABLOY”) proposed $4.3 billion acquisition of the Hardware and Home Improvement division of Spectrum Brands Holdings Inc. (“Spectrum”). The Complaint, as well as a recent speech at the Georgetown Antitrust Law Symposium by Assistant Attorney General (“AAG”) Jonathan Kanter, reflects a number of merger […]
On August 24, 2022, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement with Sephora, one of the largest cosmetic retailers in the world, to resolve allegations that the company illegally sold consumer data and violated the California Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”).1 The settlement was a result of an enforcement sweep the state conducted on online retailers in […]
In a recent Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) enforcement action, the SEC concluded that a registered broker-dealer and investment adviser (the “Firm”) violated Rule 30 of Regulation S-P by failing to adopt sufficient policies and procedures governing decommissioning of data-bearing devices. During a decommissioning project in 2016, the Firm sold unwiped hard drives containing unencrypted […]
Against a backdrop of rising inflation and increasing concern about a “cost of living crisis” in the UK, the newly appointed Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, laid out the Government’s plans for growing the UK economy in his “Growth Plan 2022”, released 23 September 2022. This “mini-Budget” included the announcement of what will be the largest package […]
On July 27, 2022, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) voted 3-2 to sue in federal district court to block Meta Platforms, Inc.’s (“Meta”) acquisition of Within Unlimited, Inc. (“Within”), a virtual reality (“VR”) app developer. In authorizing the complaint, the commissioners took the unusual step of overruling an FTC staff recommendation to close the agency’s investigation. Further, the two Republican […]
It has been over a year since the Colonial Pipeline cybersecurity incident, and the Department of Homeland Security’s Transportation Security Administration (“TSA”) continues to issue cybersecurity directives to owners and operators of critical pipelines and liquified natural gas facilities. On July 21, 2022, the TSA issued its Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02C (the “Third Directive”). The Third […]
Historically, companies gave little thought to antitrust considerations when they developed environmental, social, and governance (“ESG”) goals and plans. Recently, this has changed. As companies’ ESG efforts have begun to have more market impact, and especially as firms collaborate to implement ESG principles, companies and antitrust/competition authorities are asking whether ESG efforts could violate the […]
Renewable Reboot – The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 Released as Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) Changes Stance on Climate Change and Signals Support for Renewable Energy On July 27, 2022, only a few hours after the Senate approved a bipartisan semiconductor and technology package, Senator Manchin made a stunning and well-timed reversal of his prior […]
Global sales of electric vehicles (“EVs”) more than doubled in 2021 over 2020, from 3 million to 6.6 million, and sales were up 60% in the first quarter of 2022 over the same period in 2021.1 With this explosive growth in the EV market, an effective and reliable charging infrastructure will be in high demand. Financing […]
Offshore wind developers have poured billions of dollars into securing leases in state and federal waters in recent months, with many more billions to be spent developing wind assets to support ambitious state and federal goals for the energy transition. With this influx of new infrastructure spending and offshore lease sales, the offshore wind industry […]
On May 6, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) announced a $5.5 million settlement of charges against NVIDIA Corporation (“NVIDIA”) for allegedly failing to adequately disclose in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) section of its Forms 10-Q the fact that cryptomining was a significant factor in […]
The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) issued a Comprehensive Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy (“the Strategy”) on May 5, 2022, pursuant to President Biden’s January 2021 Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The Strategy provides a roadmap for DOJ civil and criminal enforcement authorities, working alongside federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), […]
Beginning on May 15, 2022, New York City employers with more than four employees must state the minimum and maximum salary whenever they “advertise” a job, promotion, or transfer opportunity. While the law does not define what it means to “advertise,” the New York City Commission on Human Rights (“NYCHR”) has issued guidance stating that […]
Pursuant to the Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act (“FIRRMA”), the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) now has authority to review non-controlling foreign investments in certain types of U.S. businesses that are involved with sensitive personal data of U.S. citizens, critical technology, or critical infrastructure. As part of this enhanced review […]
On March 9, 2022, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“Commission”) issued its much-anticipated proposed rule amendments which would mandate certain cybersecurity disclosures for public companies (“Proposed Rules”). If adopted, the Proposed Rules could have a meaningful impact on the current and periodic reporting process, and complicate incident response, by requiring companies to disclose (i) any material […]
Much has been said about the need for countries and companies to build a low-carbon global economy.1 Multiple estimates of the amount of capital that will be needed to fund the energy transition over the next several decades are stunning, putting the number at or above $100 trillion.2 Cognizant of the enormous task — and opportunity […]
The Department of Justice (“DOJ”) recently signaled a possible shift in its antitrust merger review and remedies practice, moving away from a willingness to allow transactions to proceed through a divesture process. In his January 24, 2022 speech for the New York Bar Association’s Antitrust Law Section, Jonathan Kanter, the new assistant attorney general for the […]
Vinson & Elkins Construction Year in Review Hear their invaluable insights into some of the industry’s most crucial developments in the video. Topics discussed include the Supreme Court’s decision in Triple Point Technology Inc v PTT Public Company Ltd, HKA’s CRUX report, Grenfell and cladding claims. View video here If you would like to discuss […]
CFIUS Adds New Zealand to Excepted Foreign States List and Finalizes Additional Time for Allies to Secure Excepted Foreign State Status The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (“CFIUS”) earlier this month released a fact sheet announcing updates on excepted foreign states determinations, including the addition of New Zealand to CFIUS’s excepted foreign states list, […]
Inside Baseball on Privilege Waiver: the Los Angeles Angels’ Recent Win Over Federal Prosecutors Serves a Welcome Reminder to Cover Your Bases and Protect Privilege in High-Profile Cases In a high-profile dispute between federal prosecutors and the Los Angeles Angels relating to criminal charges filed in the aftermath of a tragic overdose and death […]
By Ephraim (Fry) Wernick, Brian L. Howard II, Peter T. Thomas, Natalie Cardenas, and Eli Sterbcow With the holiday season upon us, companies waiting for a nice surprise this Christmas are more likely to find a lump of coal in their stocking. In a series of recent announcements, Department of Justice (“DOJ”) officials have signaled a number of key changes […]
As widely reported by the press, it appears that the Build Back Better Act is at an impasse following Senator Joe Manchin’s statements that he would not vote for the bill. Our prior coverage can be found below: Senate Finance Committee Modifies Clean Energy Tax Proposals in Build Back Better Reconciliation Bill House Passes Build […]
EPA Announces Plans for Waste Rules That Could be a Stepping Stone to Drastically Expanding PFAS Liabilities. Overview Background: RCRA and CERCLA Regulation of “Hazardous” Substances and Waste Background on the Rulemakings Takeaway: EPA announced plans for two separate rulemaking processes that would expand liabilities for PFAS wastes. The first — a rulemaking process to […]
As the U.S. economy moves to electrify everything while decarbonizing the economy, batteries will become an increasing part of the energy mix. Ranging from new technologies that will enhance safety in electric vehicles to those that will enable utility storage, a wide variety of new technologies are on the horizon. See presentation here. The panel […]
The creation of a myriad of new public companies, through traditional IPOs and DeSPAC business combination transactions, focused on the energy evolution and clean energy is expected to dramatically increase, according to a new analysis from Vinson & Elkins. The report, entitled What’s Driving Transition Energy IPOs and SPAC Combinations?, examines the key factors that are […]
The amount of money invested in Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) funds has increased exponentially in the past year, and as banks and investors increasingly turn their attention to ESG factors, companies are also increasing their focus on ESG. As part of this trend, ESG-type criteria are appearing with increasing prevalence in the bond and […]
Press Releases
As reported by Ishka, Vinson & Elkins advised Deutsche Bank AG, New York Branch as lead arranger, sole structuring agent and the lenders in a partial recourse delayed draw term loan to finance around 35 midlife Airbus and Boeing narrow bodies. Further, as Ishka reported, “the loan began at $269 million, before being upsized quickly to $337 million, […]
Jorge Medina is a seasoned tax practitioner with several decades of experience, both in private practice and in-house. Vinson & Elkins announced today that it has added Jorge Medina as a partner in its Tax Practice. Medina is a leading practitioner in tax equity and other transactions across the energy transition. He represents many of the top […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Infinium in Project Roadrunner, a project to develop a Power-to-Liquids (PtL) eFuels facility in west Texas that will convert waste carbon dioxide and hydrogen produced from renewable power (i.e. “green” hydrogen) into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other low carbon fuels, and also a $75 million project equity investment commitment from […]
Vinson & Elkins announced today that it has expanded its corporate and finance practice in London with the addition of Kilian de Cintré, who joins the firm from Milbank. Kilian has extensive experience acting for sponsors, development finance institutions, commercial lenders and export credit agencies on the development, structuring and financing of complex natural resources, infrastructure and […]
Vinson & Elkins today announced that it elected seven lawyers to its partnership and promoted 15 lawyers to counsel, effective January 1, 2024. The new partners and counsel represent a cross-section of practices and offices across the firm. Click here for the list of the firm’s new partners:
Vinson & Elkins advised Vitol Inc. in a landmark transfer agreement with Avangrid, Inc. for an estimated $100 million of 2023 production tax credits from eight operating wind farms, totaling 1,134 megawatts of generating capacity. The agreement marks one of the largest publicly announced deals to-date since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The […]
Vinson & Elkins advised the Houston Astros in connection with the Astros and Houston Rockets’ acquisition of AT&T SportsNet Southwest from Warner Bros. Discovery effective September 30, 2023. The network re-launched as Space City Home Network on October 3, 2023. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partners Mark Kelly, Harry Perrin and Francisco Morales Barron, with assistance […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Sitio Royalties Corp. in connection with its offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 7.875% senior unsecured notes due 2028. The offering closed on October 3, 2023. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partners Scott Rubinsky, David Stone and Doug McWilliams and senior associate Alex Lewis, with assistance from associates Nate Richards, Travis Ewing and Lauren Perillo. Other […]
Vinson & Elkins advised the Houston Astros in connection with the Astros and Houston Rockets’ acquisition of AT&T SportsNet Southwest from Warner Bros. Discovery effective September 30, 2023. The network will re-launch as Space City Home Network on October 3, 2023. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partners Mark Kelly, Harry Perrin and Francisco Morales Barron, with […]
In the latest result in a series of long-running legal actions where Vinson & Elkins is lead counsel representing the Panama Canal Authority (“ACP”) arising out of complex and high value construction disputes with Grupo Unidos por el Canal (“GUPC”), a consortium of European and Panamanian companies who designed and built the Third Set of […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Crestwood Equity Partners LP (“Crestwood”) in its entry into a definitive merger agreement pursuant to which Energy Transfer LP will acquire Crestwood in an all-equity transaction valued at approximately $7.1 billion, including the assumption of $3.3 billion of debt, based on the closing price on August 15, 2023. The Vinson & […]
Vinson & Elkins today announced it is commemorating the 25th anniversary of its New York City office. The firm entered the New York City market in 1998 with 11 lawyers and an ambitious plan to develop a full-service office. A quarter century later, Vinson & Elkins boasts a thriving office of 145 lawyers, including many who […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Uzbekneftegaz JSC (“UNG”) and Uzbekistan GTL LLC (“UzGTL”) on the sale to Air Products of a natural gas-to-syngas processing facility in Qashqadaryo Province, Uzbekistan for US$1 billion. This sale is the largest M&A transaction in Uzbekistan’s history. The natural gas-to-syngas industrial complex is an integral part of UNG’s multi-billion gas-to-liquid (GTL) facility―one of the […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Denbury Inc., an experienced developer of carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCS) solutions and enhanced oil recovery, in its entry into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Exxon Mobil Corporation. The acquisition is an all-stock transaction valued at $4.9 billion, or $89.45 per share based on ExxonMobil’s closing price on […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Reata Pharmaceuticals Inc. (“Reata”), a global biopharmaceutical company committed to developing and commercializing novel therapeutics for patients with serious or life-threatening diseases, in its entry into a definitive agreement under which Biogen Inc. has agreed to acquire Reata for $172.50 per share in cash, reflecting an enterprise value of approximately $7.3 […]
McGovern joins the firm from Hogan Lovells. Prior to that, he served as the Chief of the Criminal Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), where he supervised major bank investigations and the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) prosecutions. He also supervised the EDNY’s Business and Securities […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Vitol, the largest independent energy trading company globally, in the formation of Valor Upstream Credit Partners, L.P. (“VCP” or the “Fund”) with Riverstone Credit Partners, a dedicated credit investment platform focused on energy and the energy transition. VCP will seek to make structured credit investments in North American upstream oil and […]
Vinson & Elkins announced today it is commemorating the 50th anniversary of its Washington office. The past half-century, Vinson & Elkins’ Washington office has played a pivotal role in supporting clients with their litigation and regulatory matters involving the federal government.
Vinson & Elkins advised Ellington Financial Inc., a real estate investment trust investing in a diverse array of financial assets including residential and commercial mortgage loans, in connection with its entry into a definitive agreement to acquire Great Ajax Corp., a real estate investment trust that invests primarily in residential mortgage loans and other assets, […]
Civitas Resources, Inc. Announces Pricing of $1,350 Million of New Senior Notes Due 2028 and $1,350 Million of New Senior Notes Due 2031 Vinson & Elkins advised the initial purchasers in connection with the private offering (the “Offering”) of $1,350 million in aggregate principal amount of 8.375% Senior Notes due 2028 and $1,350 million in […]
On Sale of Natural Gas-to-Syngas Processing Facility to Air Products Vinson & Elkins advised Uzbekneftegaz JSC (“UNG”) and Uzbekistan GTL LLC (“UzGTL”) on the sale to Air Products of a natural gas-to-syngas processing facility in Qashqadaryo Province, Uzbekistan for US$1 billion. This sale is the largest M&A transaction in Uzbekistan’s history. The natural gas-to-syngas industrial complex is an […]
Vinson & Elkins partner Lande Spottswood has been named to The Deal’s list of Top Women in Dealmaking 2023. The list honors exemplary women in the legal profession who have displayed excellence in their respective legal fields including mergers and acquisitions, private equity, restructuring and activist investing. Based in Vinson & Elkins’ Houston office, Spottswood serves as the firm’s […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc., a vertically integrated Bitcoin mining company, in connection with securities purchase agreements with a PIPE transaction in which the Company issued and sold an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares of its Class A common stock and share equivalents at a price of $1.00 per share. The Company also […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Baytex Energy Corp. in connection with the pricing and upsize to US$800 million of its previously announced private offering (the “offering”) of senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 8.5% per annum and mature on April 30, 2030. The Notes were priced […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Pioneer Natural Resources Company in connection with its public offering of $1.1 billion of 5.100% Senior Notes that will mature March 29, 2026. The offering closed on March 29, 2023. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partners Robert Kimball and David Stone and counsel Joanna Enns, with assistance from associates Kolten Morris and Katherine Harclerode. Other key […]
Vinson & Elkins and co-counsel Cleary Gottlieb successfully represented client Republic of Iraq (“Iraq”) in an ICC arbitration it brought in May 2014 against the Republic of Turkey (“Turkey”) and arising out of Turkey’s violations of a crude oil pipeline agreement for the supply and purchase of crude oil concluded between Iraq and Turkey in […]
NeuVentus is a newly established platform focused on developing and delivering hydrogen pipeline transportation and salt cavern hydrogen storage projects, as well as related services, that help to accelerate North America’s energy transition. Lotus Infra was formerly known as Starwood Energy. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partners Robert Hughes and Alan Alexander, senior associate Yong Eoh and […]
Vinson & Elkins advised 4×4 Capital, a New York-based investment platform focused on building value for companies in the consumer, services and industrial sectors, on its investment in Yelloh, a pioneer in home frozen food delivery in the U.S. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partner Gabriel Silva, with assistance from senior associate Patrick Whelan and associates Libby […]
Vinson & Elkins represented a controlling shareholder in connection with the sale of Ridgeback Resources, Inc., a privately held oil and gas producer focused on light oil in Saskatchewan and Alberta, Canada, to Saturn Oil & Gas, Inc. for CAD$525 million, including cash and stock consideration. The Vinson & Elkins team was led by partner Stancell […]
Vinson & Elkins advised Enbridge (U.S.) Inc. in a definitive agreement with Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (NYSE:BIP) and Crestwood Equity Partners LP (NYSE:CEQP) to acquire Tres Palacios Holdings LLC for $335 million. Tres Palacios is comprised of three natural gas storage salt caverns with a total FERC-certificated working gas capacity of approximately 35 Bcf, as well […]
Partners William Scherman, Jeffrey Jakubiak and Jason Fleischer, plus a team of four counsel, have handled many of the nation’s highest profile disputes involving federal energy regulation Vinson & Elkins has added a team of eight litigators to its Energy Regulatory practice. Led by partner William Scherman, the team includes partners Jeffrey Jakubiak and Jason Fleischer, counsel Laura Swett, Jennifer Mansh and Thomas […]
Partners Kathleen Pakenham and Adriana Wirtz Strengthen Firm’s Tax Controversy and Litigation Practice Vinson & Elkins announced today it has expanded its nationally recognized Tax Controversy and Litigation practice with the addition of New York partners Kathleen Pakenham and Adriana Wirtz. They were previously with Cooley, where Pakenham served in numerous leadership roles, including as chair of the […]
on Solorzano Joins Vinson & Elkins as Co-head of Its ESG Task Force Vinson & Elkins has added Jon Solorzano, who has an extensive background in environmental, social and governance (ESG), mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and corporate governance, as counsel in its Los Angeles office. He most recently served as Senior Director of Legal & […]
Ben Higson joins the firm as a corporate partner and new head of the Corporate practice for the London office Vinson & Elkins announced today that Ben Higson has joined the firm as a partner in London, where he will add valuable leadership and experience to the firm’s Corporate practice. In addition, Higson will take on the […]
The largest Partner class in Vinson & Elkins’ history includes lawyers across multiple practice areas and offices. Vinson & Elkins is pleased to announce the election of 20 lawyers to its partnership, the largest Partner class in its history, and the promotion of 20 lawyers to Counsel, effective January 1, 2023. The new Partners and […]
Vinson & Elkins advised RiceBran Technologies (“the Company”), a global leader in the development and manufacture of nutritional and functional ingredients derived from rice and other small and ancient grains for human food, nutraceutical, pet care and equine feed applications, in connection with its registered direct offering to institutional investors for the purchase and sale […]
Vinson & Elkins advised ProPetro Holding Corp., an oilfield services company providing completions services to upstream oil and gas companies, in its acquisition of Silvertip Completion Services Operating, LLC, a provider of wireline perforating and pumpdown services solely in the Permian Basin, creating a leading completions-focused oilfield services company headquartered in the Permian Basin. The […]
inson & Elkins advises Brookfield Renewable Power Inc. in the acquisition of Scout Clean Energy from Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners for approximately $1 billion in cash. The V&E team was led by partners Peter Marshall and Kaam Sahely, with assistance from senior associate Alexander Baker. Other key team members include partner Lauren Collins; partner David D’Alessandro; partner Sean Becker; partner Michael Joyce and senior associate Brent […]
On August 30, 2022, the Tyler Court of Appeals ruled for Vinson & Elkins’ clients, The Dallas Weekly, a Black-owned community newspaper, and its reporter, Steven Monacelli, in a defamation case. Dallas businessman Monty Bennett and his fledgling website, The Dallas Express, sued The Dallas Weekly and Monacelli for defamation because of an article written by Monacelli and published […]
The Law Office of Looaye M. Al-Akkas in association with Vinson & Elkins has represented Saudi-based MAZ Group in its Joint Venture (JV) with Swiss-based Rheinmetall Defense to create RAD Arabia Co., which will be a manufacturing and development center of air defense systems and technologies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Rad Arabia […]
Vinson & Elkins advised ioneer Ltd, an emerging lithium–boron supplier, in a binding offtake supply agreement with Ford Motor Company. Under the agreement, ioneer will supply Ford with lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project in Nevada. The V&E team was led by partner Kaam Sahely, with assistance from counsels Josh Heideman and Alistair Wishart, associate Louise Fischel-Bock and senior […]
2 Matthew R. Friedenberg has joined Vinson & Elkins as counsel in the firm’s New York office, focusing on commercial and real estate litigation. He has extensive experience in complex and high-value disputes across a variety of industries, including real estate, retail and hospitality and private equity. Friedenberg will work closely with the firm’s renowned Real Estate practice in […]
Vinson & Elkins Recognized as a “Best Law Firm for Women” by Seramount For the 10th time, Vinson & Elkins has earned a spot among the “Best Law Firms for Women” by Seramount (formerly Working Mother). The annual list recognizes law firms that utilize best practices in hiring, retaining, promoting and developing women lawyers. The full […]
Vinson & Elkins provided pro bono advice to Social Motion, Inc. (SOMO) in connection with its merger with The Center for Pursuit (TCFP), bringing together two of Houston’s leading nonprofits serving the special needs community. Read more
On April 29, 2022, a team of Vinson & Elkins trial attorneys secured an approximately $94 million jury verdict for Huntsman Corporation, a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals, in connection with the Company’s long-running court battle against Praxair/Linde, one of the industrial gas suppliers to Huntsman’s Geismar, Louisiana methylene […]
A new report from Vinson & Elkins, Real Estate Opportunities in the Energy Transition, shines a spotlight on the role the real estate industry plays as countries and companies focus on building a greener economy to mitigate the effects of global climate change. The amount of capital needed to fund the energy transition during the next […]
A team of Vinson & Elkins lawyers, led by partner Kaam Sahely and senior associate Stephanie Coco, advised Goldman Sachs Renewable Power, a strategic, long-term investor in clean energy projects and the sponsor of more than 850 solar and battery storage projects that collectively have a capacity of more than 2.6 gigawatts of renewable power, in the establishment […]
Vinson & Elkins advised MoneyGram International, Inc., a global leader in the evolution of digital P2P payments, in connection with its entry into a definitive agreement under which funds affiliated with Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC will acquire all outstanding shares of MoneyGram for $11.00 per share in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $1.8 billion. […]
Vinson & Elkins today announced the promotion of 13 lawyers to its partnership, effective January 1, 2022: Michael Gibson in Austin; Brad Foxman, Jordan Leu and Sarah Mitchell in Dallas; Robert Hughes, Damien Lyster and Crosby Scofield in Houston; Lauren Davies and Giacomo Reali in London; Lauren Kanzer, Julia Petty and Jose Sanchez in New York; and Paige Anderson in Richmond. “We are pleased to recognize the excellent service our new partners provide to their clients and congratulate […]
Vinson & Elkins is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its London office, making it one of the oldest U.S. law firm’s with a continuous presence in the city. Located at 20 Fenchurch Street in what is commonly known as the “Walkie Talkie” building, V&E now employs approximately 75 lawyers in London, serving a diverse client […]
Vinson & Elkins continues its strategic growth in London with the addition of Peita Menon as a partner in its global tax practice. Menon will lead the firm’s London and EMEA tax practice, advising domestic and international clients in transactional matters across a wide range of industries. “Peita is a talented, versatile tax lawyer whose expertise fits […]
Mansfield Rule Certification measures whether law firms have affirmatively considered at least 30% women, underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, LGBTQ+ lawyers, and lawyers with disabilities for leadership and governance roles, equity partner promotions, client opportunities, and senior lateral positions. Mansfield focuses on measurement, transparency, and accountability to achieve meaningful progress toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. “We […]
Richard Sofield, a nationally recognized attorney with nearly three decades of experience in United States national security legal and public policy matters, has joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in Washington, D.C. Sofield joins Vinson & Elkins from Wiley Rein LLP, where he led the firm’s Committee of Foreign Investment in the United States […]
Vinson & Elkins has been named Energy M&A Legal Advisory Firm of the Year as part of Mergermarket’s inaugural North America M&A Awards. “Our rigorous judging process combined our market-leading U.S. and Canada league tables with expert judges combing through data to highlight the best of the best in the market,” said Thomas Davidson, editor at Acuris […]
Vinson & Elkins senior associate Carla Jordan-Detamore has been selected as Chambers’ Diversity & Inclusion Future Leader. Chambers’ Diversity & Inclusion Awards spotlight those who are paving the way in pro bono and corporate social responsibility and promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Jordan-Detamore was selected from a national pool of applicants, fifteen of which were shortlisted for […]
Vinson & Elkins has been named Energy M&A Legal Advisory Firm of the Year as part of Mergermarket’s inaugural North America M&A Awards. “Our rigorous judging process combined our market-leading U.S. and Canada league tables with expert judges combing through data to highlight the best of the best in the market,” said Thomas Davidson, editor at Acuris […]
Vinson & Elkins continued its strategic growth in New York with the addition of Ron G. Nardini as a partner in its global Tax practice. Nardini will lead the firm’s New York Tax practice, advising both domestic and international clients in transactional matters across a wide range of industries. “Ron is a talented, versatile tax […]