Bracewell

(The following information was supplied by the firm)

Firm Overview:
Bracewell is a leading law firm that is known worldwide for its unique depth and experience in the energy, infrastructure, finance and technology industries throughout the world. Our industry focus results in comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the commercial, legal and governmental challenges faced by our clients and enables us to provide innovative solutions to facilitate transactions and resolve disputes.

Managing Partner: Daniel S Connolly
Number of partners: 169
Number of lawyers: 362

Main Areas of Practice:

Energy
Bracewell is consistently at the forefront of developments across the energy value chain, including in connection with the global energy transition. We are unmatched in our ability to provide a comprehensive offering for market players, given the significant number of Bracewell lawyers who are focused on each aspect of this sector. In the oil and gas sector, we represent upstream exploration and development companies; oilfield service businesses; pipeline, storage, and terminals companies; refining and chemicals companies; commercial banks, trading houses, investors and private equity investors involved in oil and gas; and investment banks, other intermediaries and strategic advisors to oil and gas companies and investors.

The power team represents utilities, independent power producers, retail electric businesses, commodity trading houses and investors in a wide range of transactions and regulatory and compliance matters relating to conventional and renewable power sources and transmission.

Bracewell has been at the forefront of developments and innovations related to renewable energy and sustainability. Renewable sources, such as solar, wind, biomass, hydropower and hydrogen development — combined with carbon capture, energy storage and ESG practices — involve complex legal, financial and regulatory issues that we are well-positioned to address because of our depth and vast experience. We have developed targeted practices – such as regulatory, environment, tax, intellectual property and strategic communications – to serve our energy clients.

We Know Energy®.

Infrastructure
Bracewell has one of the largest and most experienced infrastructure teams in the United States. We have played leading roles at every stage in the procurement, structuring, development, financing, operations purchase and sale of major infrastructure projects around the country and in significant markets globally, including energy, transportation, social infrastructure, hospitality, arts, sports venues and other projects. Clients rely on us to help them achieve their most ambitious goals. Many of these projects are unique, innovative or first-of-their-kind.

Finance
Bracewell is well known for advising borrowers and lenders on billions of dollars of financial transactions every year. We assist clients in various forms of secured and unsecured transactions, including project finance, acquisition finance, syndicated lending, structured finance, leveraged finance, reserved-based lending, bridge financings to facilitate capital markets access, equipment finance and leasing. Our finance team also helps clients in various stages of a lending transaction, including refinancings and restructurings (including out-of-court restructurings) of existing loans, debtor in possession (DIP) financings, and exit financings for both borrower and lender clients. We boast a large energy finance team with in-depth knowledge across the entire energy finance spectrum, including upstream, midstream, downstream, exploration and production, refining, oil field services, commodities, chemicals, and renewables and conventional power.

Technology
Bracewell’s technology team utilizes a well-rounded approach to facilitate protection of technology assets to align with the long-term goals of the client. We provide practical coverage in all areas of technology and intellectual property, with established practitioners who file, prosecute and litigate patents, trademarks and copyrights, and provide advice and support on an array of transactional or adversarial matters. We also counsel on outsourcing, licensing, technology transfers and joint venture agreements. The firm is particularly active in core industries around the globe, including energy, technology, finance and retail.

Litigation
For more than 75 years, Bracewell litigators have excelled in courtrooms across the United States and internationally, earning the respect of both judges and adversaries. The team represents industry leaders in their most high-profile and complex matters, including commercial, securities, patent, white-collar, international arbitration, environment and energy litigation, as well as appellate issues arising from these matters.

Government Relations
Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group (PRG) is a unique team of lawyers, lobbyists and strategic communications professionals with decades of experience operating in Washington, DC. PRG develops legislative strategies; manages relations with the United States executive branch and relevant federal agencies; and creates coalitions and strategic partnerships to advance its clients’ regulatory and legislative initiatives.

LanguagesArabic, Bangla, Bulgarian, Cantonese, Croatian, Czech, Danish, English, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Thai, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese

Key Contacts

Managing Partner

Daniel S. Connolly
daniel.connolly@bracewell.com

Firm Rankings

Restructuring & Insolvency
Band 3

7.0

Tax
Band 3

6.0

White-Collar Crime
Band 2

8.0

Articles

Treasury and IRS Release Guidance on the Advanced Energy Project Credit Allocation Program

On February 13, 2023, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) released Notice 2023-18 (the Notice), which established the program (the Allocation Program) to allocate $10 billion of advanced energy project credits (AEPCs) pursuant to section 48C(e),1 which was enacted as part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the IRA).2 The goal of the program […]

Storage Wars: Ownership of Subsurface Salt Cavern Storage Rights

Underground salt caverns are commonly used for the storage of liquids including liquefied hydrocarbons. These caverns are created by solution mining of salt from inside underground salt formations and could play a pivotal role in the growth and development of a variety of energy transition and energy storage developments, including carbon sequestration and hydrogen projects. […]

NLRB Finds Employer’s Use of Confidentiality and Non-Disparagement Provisions in Separation Agreements Violated Federal Law

The National Labor Relations Board (the Board) which enforces the National Labor Relations Act (the Act) ruled this week that confidentiality of the agreement and non-disparagement provisions in the separation agreements for 11 terminated employees of a Michigan hospital impermissibly infringed on the employees’ rights under the Act. Read more.

Environmental Essentials: Permitting and Environmental Justice: What’s Next?

The EPA continues to advance environmental justice policies, issuing its “Principles for Addressing Environmental Justice in Air Permitting” in December and preparing its much-anticipated guidance on addressing cumulative impacts in permitting expected later this year. Read more and watch here.

Back to the Future, Part 1: Learning PFAS Lessons From the History of MTBE With Steven Cook

In the first of a two-part episode of the Bracewell Environmental Law Monitor, host Daniel Pope talks with Bracewell partner Steven Cook, who served as deputy assistant administrator at the EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management prior to joining the firm, about the ways that companies and agencies deal with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and a look […]

US Supreme Court: Highly Compensated Oilfield Workers Entitled to Overtime

In a closely watched case,1 the United States Supreme Court held today that a tool pusher in the oil & gas industry, who was paid a day rate of at least $963.00 per day, was not exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”).  While the highly paid tool pusher was otherwise exempt under […]

The New UAE Commercial Agencies Law

The longstanding UAE Commercial Agency Law (Federal Law No. 18 of 1981 Regulating Commercial Agencies, as amended) (the “Current Law”) is set to be replaced by the newly issued UAE Commercial Agency Law (Federal Law No. 3 of 2022 Regulating Commercial Agencies) (the “New Law”) which is due to come into force in June 2023. […]

New UCC Article 12: Foreseeable Issues with Using Cryptocurrencies and NFTs as Collateral

Now that state legislatures across the country are working to approve the much anticipated Article 12 to the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), it is time to prepare for transactions with cryptocurrencies and non-fungible tokens (NFTs) as collateral. At the heart of the UCC amendments is the concept of “controllable electronic records” (CER), which will normally […]

Texas “Two-Step” Forward, Three Steps Back for Mass Tort Debtors in the Third Circuit After LTL

In a decision that may provide much-needed boundaries around the permissibility of debtors created from “out-of-the-box” prepetition corporate transactions, on January 30, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit issued a unanimous opinion dismissing Johnson & Johnson subsidiary LTL Management, LLC’s (“LTL”) chapter 11 case pending in the United States Bankruptcy […]

FTC Announces 2023 Increase in HSR Notification Thresholds and Effective Date for Increased Filing Fees

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has announced the annual revisions to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act (HSR Act) thresholds, which will become effective on Monday, February 27, 2023. The revised thresholds will apply to any merger or acquisition closing on or after the effective date. The FTC is required to adjust the HSR thresholds annually […]

Treasury Department and IRS Release Guidance With Respect to the Sustainable Aviation Fuel Credit

On December 19, 2022, the Treasury Department and the IRS released Notice 2023-6 (the Notice), which provides guidance with respect to the credit for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the IRA) enacted Section 40B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), which allows a credit with respect to […]

BOEM Proposes to Modify its Offshore Renewable Energy Regulations

On January 12, 2023, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (“BOEM”) announced a proposed rule (the “Modernization Rule”) to modernize its regulations for renewable energy development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (“OCS”). The announcement marks the first time BOEM has substantially updated its renewable energy program regulations since they […]

FTC Pursues Crackdown on Employee Noncompetes

Earlier this month, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) launched unprecedented challenges to noncompete provisions in employment contracts through both rulemaking and individual enforcement actions. Proposed Rule to Ban Noncompetes Most significantly, on January 5, 2023, the FTC released a sweeping notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), aimed at barring the use of noncompete agreements by deeming those covenants […]

Fifth Circuit Rules Just Energy Bankruptcy Court Erred in Exercising Jurisdiction to Redetermine ERCOT Pricing During Winter Storm Uri

In a January 5, 2023 opinion from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the panel held the Just Energy bankruptcy court erred in exercising jurisdiction over the debtor’s suit to recover Winter Storm Uri payments made to ERCOT. The Fifth Circuit found the underlying issue—i.e., the propriety of ERCOT and PUCT’s pricing—to be […]

New Protections for Pregnant and Nursing Workers in 2023

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) and the Providing Urgent Maternal Protections for Nursing Mothers Act (PUMP Act), expanding federal protections for both pregnant and nursing workers. Pregnant Workers Fairness Act The PWFA creates a legal obligation for employers to grant reasonable accommodations for pregnant workers. […]

New Climate Guidance Issued to Federal Agencies Conducting Environmental Impact Analyses

Overview On January 9, 2023, the Council for Environmental Quality (“CEQ”) published interim National Environmental Policy Act Guidance on Consideration of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Climate Change (hereafter, “guidance” or “GHG Guidance”).1  CEQ intends for agencies to apply the guidance now even as CEQ seeks public comment on it.2  The guidance aims to establish best […]

My Crypto’s Gone: Cryptocurrency in Earn Accounts Belong to Celsius not Customers

Cryptocurrency in Celsius’ Earn Accounts belongs to the bankruptcy estate, and not to the depositors who placed it there, according to a January 4 memorandum opinion from Judge Martin Glenn of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Southern District of New York. The decision is a blow to the individual customers who deposited crypto assets […]

Congress Enacts Major Overhaul to HSR Filing Fees for M&A Deals

On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 (also known as The Omnibus Appropriations Bill), which includes the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act.  The Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act, which marks the most significant change to HSR filing fees in over twenty years, increases the HSR filing fees […]

A Royal Pain: Contingent Royalties Held to be Dischargeable in Mallinckrodt

In late December 2022, the United States District Court for the District of Delaware issued an opinion affirming the Mallinckrodt1 bankruptcy court’s November 2021 decision that the debtor could discharge certain post-petition, post-confirmation royalty obligations for the sale of Acthar Gel. Read more here.

Biden Administration Finalizes Redefinition of “Waters of the United States”

On December 30, 2022, the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corps of Engineers announced their finalization of the agencies’ redefinition of the Clean Water Act’s “waters of the United States” phrase, or “WOTUS”, a key phrase in the Clean Water Act that determines the jurisdictional reach of the act. The rule will […]

A Challenging Year for African M&A

“Turbulent” is the usual adjective to be tastefully employed when assessing years such as 2022 that are subject to extreme events such as the Russian-Ukraine conflict and its reverberations on global energy supplies (along with other terrible consequences). Against that backdrop, activity within the global upstream M&A space has been modest, with deal volumes and […]

Happy Holidays: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

In this holiday episode of the Environmental Law Monitor, Tim Wilkins, Jason Hutt, and Ann Navaro from Bracewell’s Environment, Lands and Resources Practice Group join host Daniel Pope to discuss the events of 2022 while looking ahead to 2023, and also some of their favorite things for the holidays. Click here for more.

DOJ to Prosecutors: Think Twice and Ask Permission Before Charging

Last week, Attorney General Merrick Garland issued a new DOJ charging and sentencing policy memorandum, replacing existing guidance to federal prosecutors in their exercise of prosecutorial discretion.  The thrust of the extraordinary new policy is that prosecutors are no longer expected to charge the highest most readily provable offense, but rather to consider potential punishments […]

FERC Proposes Reforms to Backstop Transmission Siting Authority, Implementing Changes Required by 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill

On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC” or “Commission”) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NOPR”) proposing changes to FERC’s authority under section 216 of the Federal Power Act (“FPA”).  Section 216 provides FERC with jurisdiction over the siting of interstate transmission projects in National Corridors designated by the Department of Energy (“DOE”)—commonly […]

Unintended Consequences: Legal Compliance Concerns With Long-Term Remote Work Arrangements

Bracewell’s Amber Dodds and Bob Nichols look at potential unforeseen compliance and legal concerns with long-term remote work arrangements, including practical steps to address those issues. Read more.

IRS and Treasury Department Release Initial Guidance for Labor Requirements under Inflation Reduction Act

On November 30, 2022, the IRS and the Treasury Department published Notice 2022-61 (the Notice) in the Federal Register. The Notice provides guidance regarding the prevailing wage requirements (the Prevailing Wage Requirements) and the apprenticeship requirements (the Apprenticeship Requirements and, together with the Prevailing Wage Requirements, the Labor Requirements) that taxpayers must satisfy to be eligible […]

Commerce Unveils Preliminary Findings of Solar Tariff Probe

On December 2, 2022, the U.S. Department of Commerce unveiled the highly anticipated, preliminary findings of its solar tariff anti-circumvention investigation. The Commerce Department found that four leading Chinese solar cell and solar module manufacturers (BYD Hong Kong, Canadian Solar, Trina and Vina Solar) avoided U.S. tariffs by routing some of their operations through Southeast […]

FINRA Facts and Trends: November 2022

Welcome to the latest issue of Bracewell’s FINRA Facts and Trends, a monthly newsletter devoted to condensing and digesting recent FINRA developments in the areas of enforcement, regulation and dispute resolution.  This month, we report on FINRA’s first Regulation BI enforcement action, reveal rare praise from the investors’ bar for FINRA’s arbitration procedures, and outline […]

SEC Notches Win in Cryptocurrency Registration Battle

Scoring a victory for the Securities and Exchange Commission in its efforts to qualify digital tokens as securities, a New Hampshire federal court ruled this week that tokens sold by LBRY Inc., known as LBC, are securities and subject to U.S. securities laws. The case, like others in the crypto space, centers on the legal […]

“Fatal Means Fatal”: 5th Circuit’s Broad Read of 363(m) Continues to Moot Section 363 Appeals after the Sale

Recent rulings out of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and its lower bankruptcy courts have emphasized the circuit’s broad interpretation of section 363(m) of the Bankruptcy Code, which protects bankruptcy sales from being overturned on appeal. In her September 23 opinion in In re Royal Street Bistro, LLC, et al., No. […]

SEC Notches Win in Cryptocurrency Registration Battle

Scoring a victory for the Securities and Exchange Commission in its efforts to qualify digital tokens as securities, a New Hampshire federal court ruled this week that tokens sold by LBRY Inc., known as LBC, are securities and subject to U.S. securities laws. The case, like others in the crypto space, centers on the legal […]

Parting Advice: Judge Drain Rules that Dividends Paid from the Proceeds of Safe-Harbored Transactions are Not Safe-Harbored in In re Tops Holding II Corp.

In his final opinion, Judge Robert D. Drain of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York held that dividends paid from proceeds of safe-harbored transactions under section 546(e) of the Bankruptcy Code are not safe-harbored. While only approximately 15 pages of Judge Drain’s 109-page final opus are dedicated to consideration […]

FINRA Facts and Trends: October 2022

Welcome to the latest issue of Bracewell’s FINRA Facts and Trends, a monthly newsletter devoted to condensing and digesting recent FINRA developments in the areas of enforcement, regulation and dispute resolution.  This month, we report on FINRA’s first Regulation BI enforcement action, reveal rare praise from the investors’ bar for FINRA’s arbitration procedures, and outline […]

TSA’s New Cyber Directive for Freight & Passenger Railroad Carriers are the Agency’s Latest Move to Keep the Nation on Track

In its continued efforts to enhance the cybersecurity of transportation and other critical infrastructure systems across the country, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued on October 19, 2022 a new security directive for passenger and freight railroad carriers. The Enhancing… Read more.

Breaking Down the Arguments in Sackett v. EPA

In this episode of the Environmental Law Monitor, Bracewell partners Ann Navaro and Sara Burgin join host Daniel Pope for a closer look at the US Supreme Court’s hearing of oral argument in Sackett v. EPA, the outcome of which… Read more.

Federal Contractor COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements: Are Changes Coming?

Just over a year ago, President Biden issued an Executive Order requiring federal agencies to amend all contracts to mandate compliance with Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (the “Task Force”) guidance. The Task Force then issued guidance (the “November 2021 Guidance”) that required covered federal contractor employees be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and comply with masking and […]

“Fair Value” and “Fair Value to the Obligor”

The mortgage bond indenture (herein called a “Mortgage”) under which many electric and gas utility companies in the United States issue debt securities (herein generically called “bonds”) may be one of the most unloved instruments in all corporate finance. Many of them were written nearly one century ago, in formal, legalistic language (hardly “plain English”). […]

Part 2 – Classified Information in Federal Criminal Litigation and the Need to Know With Sid Kamaraju

On the second episode in this two-part series, Bracewell Sidebar hosts Matthew Nielsen and Seth DuCharme are joined by Sid Kamaraju, a former national security prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, to discuss the process by which classified… Read more.

Monitor/Sidebar Crossover Part 2: I Am the One Who Knocks

In the second of a two-part series on government investigations and inspections, Bracewell partners Kevin Collins and Seth Du Charme join Environmental Law Monitor host Daniel Pope for a discussion of what to do when the government is actually knocking on your front door. Read more.

Oliver Irwin, Darren Spalding and Anglo Pacific Group’s Alice England Co-Author Chapter in ICLG – Mining Law 2023

Bracewell (UK) LLP project finance and project development partners Oliver Irwin and Darren Spalding, along with Anglo Pacific Group General Counsel Alice England, have co-authored the chapter, “Competing Considerations in Intercreditor Agreements for Project Finance, Mining Streams and Royalties,” in International Comparative Legal Guide – Mining Law 2023. Read more.

DOJ to Companies: If You Step Up & Own Up, You May Not Have to Pay Up

Late last year, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced material changes to the way it intended to investigate, prosecute, and resolve corporate cases. The changes were aggressive, leading us to title our update “DOJ’s Torpedoes Are in the Water: Be Your Own Monitor, or One Will Be Appointed for You.” The 2021 policy changes drew […]

Monitor/Sidebar Crossover Part 1: I Am The One Who Knocks

In the first of a two-part series on government investigations and inspections, Bracewell partners Kevin Collins and Seth Du Charme join Environmental Law Monitor host Daniel Pope for a discussion of best practices for preparing for government inspections at facilities.  Kevin is a partner in our Austin office and Seth is a partner in New York. Read more.

Members Only: Delaware Court Rules that Creditors Lack Standing to Pursue Claims on Behalf of Debtor

Creditors do not have standing to assert derivative claims on behalf of a bankrupt Delaware limited liability company, according to a recent ruling by Delaware’s bankruptcy Judge John Dorsey in In re Ector County Energy Center LLC. The ruling, handed down orally on August 15, cuts off one avenue for creditors seeking to force a […]

CSB Releases Guidance on Accidental Release Reporting

On August 30, 2022, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (“CSB” or the “Agency”) issued a guidance document aimed at helping owners and operators of stationary sources and similar stakeholders understand and comply with CSB’s Accidental Release and Reporting Rule (the “Rule”), finalized by the Agency on February 21, 2020. The Rule reflects the Agency’s […]

EPA Proposes Changes to Risk Management Plan Rules

On August 19, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) posted the pre-Federal Register publication of its latest effort to revise the Risk Management Plan (RMP) rule – this time titled the “Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention” or SCCAP rule.  EPA proposes to reinstate many of the 2017 revisions (e.g., third-party audits, safer technology analysis, […]

Your Word is Your Bond: Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Determines Surety Bonds are Not Executory Contracts Even Through Multiparty Approach in In re Falcon V, LLC

Following an August 11, 2022 opinion from the Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, certain irrevocable surety bonds will not be considered executory contracts in bankruptcy, even when a court applies a functional multiparty approach to the traditional Countryman definition of an executory contract. In industries like oil and gas, where surety bond programs are often […]

General Overview of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022

On Tuesday, August 16, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the Act) into law, which includes material changes to various sections of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code). The following is a general overview of the revenue raisers and certain of the energy and climate provisions of the Act. Revenue Raisers […]

Crypto Assets in the Voyager Bankruptcy: Can Customers Recover?

The crypto winter has overcast the summer for many Voyager customers. Upon the commencement of Voyager’s chapter 11 filing in July, customer accounts were frozen. Unable to trade their own crypto assets, some frustrated customers rushed to consult with legal counsel. Others began studying bankruptcy law in the hopes of finding a legal solution. It […]

Supreme Court Resolves Circuit Split Over 28 U.S.C. § 1782

The Supreme Court resolved a circuit split and issued a long-awaited decision holding that broad U.S.-style discovery under 28 U.S.C. § 1782 is not available in private foreign arbitrations. In the past decade, litigants in international arbitrations had been attempting to use section 1782 more frequently to obtain comprehensive discovery that would otherwise typically be unavailable […]

Check It Once, Check It Twice: OFAC Requests Daily Screenings of SDN List for Sanctions Compliance

A recent OFAC enforcement action against MidFirst Bank highlights the five essential components of an effective sanctions compliance program that will serve to mitigate exposure in the event of a violation: Senior management commitment to developing a culture of compliance Thorough and routine risk assessment Defined internal controls and recordkeeping Comprehensive testing and auditing of […]

TSA Revises Cybersecurity Directive for Critical Pipeline and LNG Facilities

Following significant collaboration with the industry, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued a revised directive, effective July 27, 2022, which updates one of the prior directives issued in the wake of a May 2021 cyberattack on one of the nation’s largest interstate oil pipelines. Similar to the prior directives, this latest version, Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02C, incorporates several […]

The COVID-19 Change Order

During the pandemic it has become common for contractors to submit change orders to owners seeking reimbursement for COVID-19 related expenses and costs.  This is especially true for large construction projects.  These “COVID-19 Change Orders” seek reimbursement for everything from masks, dividers, hand sanitizer and other items required to follow and implement CDC guidelines (or […]

Federal Privacy Legislation – Is it Finally Happening?

Proposed federal privacy legislation is not a new thing.  But the latest iteration – the American Data Privacy and Protection Act – has many wondering if this will be the legislation that finally goes the distance.  This is the first federal privacy legislation to advance out of committee, and despite the obstacles, momentum is on the […]

Attestation: Practical Reflections on What the SEC Climate Proposal Will Require

Among the many changes set forth in the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s proposed rules governing climate-related disclosures are the attestation requirements1 covering registrants’ greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions disclosures. This article provides a general overview of these attestation requirements and identifies some practical consequences public companies could experience as they anticipate compliance with the new rules. […]

Summary Outline of SEC’s Proposed Rule on Climate-Related Disclosure and Accounting

The SEC’s proposed rule on climate-related risks includes amendments to both the financial reporting requirements (Reg S-X) and the narrative disclosure requirements (Reg S-K).  The proposal interlinks the new requirements, drawing aspects of the required narrative disclosures into the financial statement.  The proposed changes are complex and detailed.  The preamble to the proposal offers interpretive […]

The Shifting Energy Policy Zeitgeist and Investment Implications

On March 24, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) made an unexpected and bipartisan about-face on its freshly updated policies for considering the environmental impacts of natural gas infrastructure projects like pipelines and liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities.1  Just a month after issuing the new policies—which were issued on partisan lines, and which warned […]

Marijuana and Workplace Safety:

Managing the Risk of Occupational Accidents as Cannabis Use Increases and Legal Prohibitions Are Relaxed More Americans are smoking or ingesting marijuana in one form or another and the potency of the product in many instances is increasing.  At the same time, many states are relaxing or repealing marijuana prohibitions. Additionally, more of these jurisdictions are […]

Press Releases

Bracewell Represents Africa Oil Corp on Equatorial Guinea Offshore Assets

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented Africa Oil Corp in relation to its country entry into Equatorial Guinea through two production sharing contracts for offshore blocks EG-18 and EG-31. Africa Oil will hold 80 percent operated interests in each block with the remaining 20 percent held by GEPetrol, the national oil company of Equatorial Guinea. GEPetrol has the […]

23 Feb 2023
Bracewell Advises Driftwood Energy in Sale to Vital Energy

Bracewell LLP is representing Driftwood Energy Operating, LLC in the sale of its Midland Basin assets to Vital Energy, Inc. (NYSE: VTLE), inclusive of all leasehold interests and hedges, in exchange for 1,578,948 shares of Vital common stock and $127.6 million in cash. Read more.

23 Feb 2023
Bracewell Represents Drilling Tools International in Business Combination with ROC Energy Acquisition Corp.

Bracewell LLP is representing Drilling Tools International Holdings, Inc. (“DTI”), a leading oilfield services company that rents downhole drilling tools used in horizontal and directional drilling, in a definitive agreement for a business combination with ROC Energy Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq: ROC), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, that will result in DTI becoming a US […]

23 Feb 2023
Bracewell Represents Lenders on Saad 300 MW Solar PV IPP in Saudi Arabia

LONDON AND DUBAI – Bracewell LLP represented the lenders, comprising Riyad Bank, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank and Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation, on the development and financing of the 300 MW Saad solar PV IPP in Saudi Arabia. The project, which is being developed by Jinko Power, reached financial close on January 18, 2023, after navigating difficult macro-economic conditions, […]

06 Feb 2023
Bracewell Represents Kinder Morgan, Inc. in $1.5 Billion Senior Notes Offering

HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP represented Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI), in its recent public offering of $1.5 billion of 5.200% senior notes due 2033. Barclays, J.P. Morgan, PNC Capital Markets LLC and Scotiabank served as active joint book-running managers in the transaction. The offering closed January 31, 2023. Read more.

02 Feb 2023
Bracewell Represents FRV on Project Financing of UK Battery Energy Storage Portfolio

LONDON AND DUBAI – Bracewell LLP represented Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) on the project financing of the battery energy storage (BESS) portfolio of Contego and Clay Tye, located in West Sussex and Essex in the United Kingdom. The financing was arranged by Natixis CIB UK and qualifies as a Green Loan under the Green Loan Principles developed by […]

02 Feb 2023
Bracewell Represents Eni on Sale of Assets in Egypt

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented IEOC Production B.V., a subsidiary of Eni S.p.A., on its sale of a package of interests in onshore upstream oil and gas concessions in Egypt to Apex International Energy. The assets include interests in the Ras Qattara, West El Razzak, East Kanayis, East Obaiyed, South West Meleiha and West Abu Gharadig […]

18 Jan 2023
Bracewell Advises Cactus, Inc. in Acquisition of FlexSteel Technologies Holdings, Inc. and Affiliates

Bracewell LLP is advising Cactus, Inc. (NYSE: WHD) in its acquisition of FlexSteel Technologies Holdings, Inc. and its affiliates through a merger with its holding company, HighRidge Resources, Inc., and Atlas Merger Sub, LLC, a newly formed subsidiary of Cactus, Inc. For more information, please click here.

18 Jan 2023
Bracewell Represents Phillips 66 in Acquisition of Publicly Held Common Units of DCP Midstream, LP

Bracewell LLP represented Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) in a definitive agreement with DCP Midstream, LP (NYSE: DCP) pursuant to which Phillips 66 will acquire all of the publicly held common units representing limited partner interests in DCP Midstream for cash consideration of approximately $3.8 billion, increasing its economic interest in DCP Midstream to 86.8 percent. DCP […]

06 Jan 2023
Bracewell Advises Phillips 66 in Sale of Belle Chasse Terminal

Bracewell LLP is advising Phillips 66 (NYSE: PSX) in an agreement to sell the Belle Chasse Terminal, formerly the Alliance Refinery, to Harvest Midstream. The deal is expected to close in the first quarter of 2023. Read more.

02 Jan 2023
Bracewell Represents Hellas Gold Single Member S.A. in €680 Million Project Financing

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented Eldorado Gold Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary, Hellas Gold Single Member, S.A., in a €680 million project financing facility for the development of the Skouries Project in Northern Greece. The facility includes a commercial loan, funding from the Greek Recovery and Resilience Facility (RFF) and a commercial bridge loan that is expected to […]

21 Dec 2022
Bracewell Advises Savannah Energy on $407 Million Acquisition of ExxonMobil’s Business in Chad and Cameroon

Bracewell (UK) LLP advised Savannah Energy PLC  on the completion of its acquisition of ExxonMobil’s entire upstream and midstream asset oil and gas business in Chad and Cameroon. Following completion of the acquisition, Savannah is now the operator of the seven fields comprising the Doba Oil Project and a 40 per cent shareholder in the 1,081 […]

15 Dec 2022
Bracewell Advises Savannah Energy on Transaction to Acquire South Sudan Blocks for up to $1.25 Billion

Bracewell (UK) LLP advised Savannah Energy PLC on a transaction to acquire PETRONAS’ entire oil and gas business in South Sudan through the acquisition of Petronas Carigali Nile Limited, for a total cash consideration of up to $1.25 billion. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent including, inter alia, approval of […]

15 Dec 2022
Patent Litigator Jeffrey E. Danley Joins Bracewell’s IP Team in Seattle

Bracewell LLP announced today that Jeffrey E. Danley has joined the firm’s intellectual property practice as a partner in the Seattle office. Danley most recently was a partner with Seed IP Law Group in Seattle. Read more.

14 Dec 2022
Represents FRV on Acquisition of Majority Interest in Platform to Develop 600 MW of Battery Energy Storage Systems in Greece

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) on the acquisition of a majority interest in a platform to develop 600 MW of battery storage systems. FRV, a leader in the development of sustainable energy solutions, has acquired a majority interest from, and partnered with, Greek developer Wootis SA to develop, construct and operate a portfolio of […]

30 Nov 2022
Bracewell Receives Tipping the Scales Award From Diversity & Flexibility Alliance

WASHINGTON, DC – Bracewell LLP was among the 57 US law firms that received a Tipping the Scales Award at the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s annual conference on November 3. The award recognizes firms that had 50 percent or more women in their 2022 US-based new partner class. In 2022, 67 percent of the US-based Bracewell lawyers […]

30 Nov 2022
Bracewell Represents Eni in Expansion of Joint Venture Company

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented Eni in connection with the closing of its agreement with HitecVision to expand their joint venture company, Vårgrønn. At the closing of the transaction, Vårgrønn acquired Eni’s 20 percent in the Dogger Bank offshore wind project, as well as other early-stage offshore wind assets. HitecVision also increased its ownership share in Vårgrønn […]

12 Nov 2022
Bracewell Represents Sable Offshore Corp. in Acquisition and Merger

Bracewell LLP is representing Sable Offshore Corp. in connection with the purchase from Exxon Mobil Corporation of the Santa Ynez field in federal waters offshore California and associated onshore processing and pipeline assets, including pipeline assets acquired by Exxon Mobil from Plains Pipeline L.P. Bracewell is also advising on the proposed merger of Sable with Flame […]

12 Nov 2022
Bracewell Advises King Ranch, Inc. in Pore Space Lease and Surface Use Agreement With Occidental and 1Point Five

Bracewell LLP advised King Ranch Inc. in connection with its lease of 106,000 acres in Kleburg County, Texas, to support large-scale direct air capture (DAC) projects for dedicated carbon dioxide sequestration. The agreement provides access to land for the potential to remove up to 30 million metric tons of CO2 per year through DAC and pore space […]

12 Nov 2022
Bracewell Receives Tipping the Scales Award From Diversity & Flexibility Alliance

Bracewell LLP was among the 57 US law firms that received a Tipping the Scales Award at the Diversity & Flexibility Alliance’s annual conference on November 3. The award recognizes firms that had 50 percent or more women in their 2022 US-based new partner class. In 2022, 67 percent of the US-based Bracewell lawyers promoted to partner […]

12 Nov 2022
Bracewell Advises Pioneer Natural Resources in Renewable Energy Projects

Bracewell LLP is advising Pioneer Natural Resources (NYSE: PXD) in connection with its participation in two renewable energy projects, including the development with NextEra Energy Resources, LLC of a 140 MW wind generation facility on surface acreage owned by Pioneer (the Hutt Wind Farm), which will supply lower-cost, renewable power to the Texas electric grid and […]

01 Nov 2022
Glenn Opel Named President of American College of Bond Counsel; Jonathan Frels and Victoria Ozimek Elected Fellows

The American College of Bond Counsel (ACBC) announced that W. Glenn Opel, co-chair of Bracewell’s public finance practice, has been elected president, effective October 13, 2022. In addition, Bracewell partners Jonathan K. Frels and Victoria N. Ozimek have been elected Fellows. Read more.

01 Nov 2022
Chambers UK 2023 Recognizes Excellence of Bracewell London Team

Bracewell (UK) LLP’s position as a preeminent energy, finance, projects and disputes law firm in the United Kingdom was recognized in Chambers UK 2023. The firm received a total of 11 practice and individual rankings this year. Read more.

01 Nov 2022
Bracewell Advises Arroyo on Sale of 1,100 MWs of Power

Bracewell LLP advised Arroyo Energy Investment Partners on the sale of two US electric power generation investments, Brandywine and Broad River. The sale includes more than 1,100 MWs of power production in the eastern United States. Read more.

12 Oct 2022
Bracewell Advises Steel Reef in its Acquisition of Bison Midstream

Bracewell LLP advised Steel Reef US Corporation in its acquisition of Bison Midstream, LLC, a gas gathering system in North Dakota, from Summit Midstream Holdings, LLC for a total cash consideration of $40 million. The purchase price will be paid with cash on hand and by the company’s existing senior secured credit facility and is subject […]

12 Oct 2022
Bracewell Represents Kinder Morgan, Inc. in Sale of Equity Interests in Elba Liquefaction Company

Bracewell LLP represented Kinder Morgan, Inc. (NYSE: KMI) in its sale of a 25.5 percent interest in Elba Liquefaction Company, L.L.C. (ELC) to an undisclosed financial buyer for approximately $565 million, subject to customary purchase price adjustments to reflect an economic effective date of July 1, 2022. After closing, KMI and the undisclosed financial buyer will […]

12 Oct 2022
Bracewell Represents FRV on Establishment of Platform to Develop up to 1 GW of Battery Energy Storage Systems

Bracewell (UK) LLP represented Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) on the establishment of a platform to develop up to 1 GW of battery storage systems. FRV, a leader in the development of sustainable energy solutions, has partnered with Tyler Hill Partners to establish FRV TH Powertek Limited, a platform that will develop, construct and operate a portfolio of […]

12 Oct 2022
Bracewell Represents Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® in Definitive Merger Agreement With Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc.

Bracewell LLP represented Prosperity Bancshares, Inc.® (NYSE: PB) (Prosperity), the parent company of Prosperity Bank®, in connection with the signing of a definitive merger agreement with Lone Star State Bancshares, Inc. (Lone Star), the parent company of Lone Star State Bank of West Texas (Lone Star Bank), pursuant to which Lone Star will merge with Prosperity. Read […]

12 Oct 2022
Bracewell Advises Gran Tierra Energy Inc. on $150 Million Credit Facility

LONDON – Bracewell (UK) LLP advised Gran Tierra Energy Inc., the oil and gas exploration and production company focused on Colombia and Ecuador, on a new credit facility for up to $150 million. The facility was entered into by two of its wholly owned subsidiaries, Gran Tiera Energy Colombia, LLC and Gran Tierra Colombia Inc., with […]

04 Oct 2022
Bracewell Advises Steel Reef in its Acquisition of Bison Midstream

Bracewell LLP advised Steel Reef US Corporation in its acquisition of Bison Midstream, LLC, a gas gathering system in North Dakota, from Summit Midstream Holdings, LLC for a total cash consideration of $40 million. The purchase price will be paid with cash on hand and by the company’s existing senior secured credit facility and is subject […]

04 Oct 2022
Bracewell Expands Energy and Infrastructure Offering With Arrival of Houston Partner John Zabaneh

Bracewell LLP announced today that John P. Zabaneh has joined the Houston office as a partner in the firm’s oil and gas practice. Zabaneh began his legal career as an associate in the corporate department of Baker Botts L.L.P. in Houston, and, thereafter, held in-house legal roles with Chesapeake Energy, Rosetta Resources, Noble Energy and Gavilan Resources (a […]

19 Sep 2022
Bracewell Alumna Judge Yvonne Ho Takes Oath at Judicial Investiture

HOUSTON – On September 8, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas held an investiture ceremony for Bracewell LLP alumna and current United States Magistrate Judge Yvonne Y. Ho. Chief Judge Lee H. Rosenthal presided over the ceremony. The oath of Office was administered by Judge James C. Ho of the United States Court of Appeals […]

12 Sep 2022
Houston Business Journal Honors Stephanie Koo Song as a 2022 Woman Who Means Business

Bracewell LLP’s Stephanie Koo Song has been named a 2022 Woman Who Means Business by Houston Business Journal in the Outstanding Leaders in Law category. She, along with this year’s other winners, will be recognized on October 20 at an awards ceremony at the Marriott Marquis Houston. Read more.

29 Aug 2022
Federal Court Denies IBM’s Post-Judgment Motions; Trial Court Proceedings Conclude With $1.67 Billion Judgment Entered in Favor of BMC Against IBM

Bracewell LLP secured the denial of IBM’s post-judgment motion on behalf of its client BMC Software, Inc. in BMC’s long-running dispute with IBM. The denial of IBM’s post-judgment motion effectively ends the trial court proceedings. With $21,615,144 in attorneys’ fees and costs now added to the judgment, the full amount of the judgment the Bracewell […]

16 Aug 2022
Federal Judge Adds Over $21 Million in Attorneys’ Fees and Costs to $1.6 Billion Judgment Against IBM

Bracewell LLP obtained an award of attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of BMC Software, Inc. which is added to the over $1.6 billion judgment Bracewell previously obtained against IBM for fraudulently inducing and then violating a software licensing agreement with BMC. Read more.

16 Aug 2022
Bracewell Named 2022 Law360 Texas Regional Powerhouse

Law360 named Bracewell LLP a 2022 Texas Powerhouse as part of its annual Regional Powerhouse series. Bracewell was one of five firms selected by Law360 for excelling in the rapidly evolving Texas legal market. Read more.

16 Aug 2022
BMC Software Trial Victory in its Long-Running Dispute With IBM Named Major Litigation of the Year at 2022 Magna Stella Awards

BMC Software’s trial victory in its long-running dispute with IBM has been named the Major Litigation of the Year in the 2022 Magna Stella Awards, sponsored by the Texas General Counsel Forum (TGCF). Winners, including BMC Chief Litigation Counsel Sarah Menendez, will be honored at an awards dinner on November 3. Read more.

16 Aug 2022
Bracewell: BMC Software Awarded Historic $1.6 Billion in Damages in Suit Against IBM

HOUSTON – Bracewell LLPobtained a landmark victory on behalf of BMC Software, Inc. in its lawsuit against IBM for fraudulently inducing and then violating a software licensing agreement. On May 30, 2022, following a two-week bench trial, U.S. District Judge Gray H. Miller for the Southern District of Texas found that IBM had committed fraud and breached […]

09 Aug 2022
Bracewell: Former Senior EPA Official Steven Cook Joins Environment, Lands and Resources Practice

HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP announced today that Steven D. Cook has joined the firm as of counsel in the Houston office. Prior to joining Bracewell, Cook served three years as the deputy assistant administrator for the Office of Land and Emergency Management with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and more than two decades as lead HSE counsel […]

09 Aug 2022
Bracewell: Federal Judge Adds Over $21 Million in Attorneys’ Fees and Costs to $1.6 Billion Judgment Against IBM

HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP obtained an award of attorneys’ fees and costs on behalf of BMC Software, Inc. which is added to the over $1.6 billion judgment Bracewell previously obtained against IBM for fraudulently inducing and then violating a software licensing agreement with BMC. The Court found that, as the prevailing party, BMC was entitled to […]

09 Aug 2022
Leading Pipeline Safety Partners Catherine Little and Annie Cook Join Bracewell’s Energy Regulatory Practice

WASHINGTON, DC – Bracewell LLP announced today that Catherine D. Little and Annie Cook, two of the nation’s leading lawyers on pipeline and LNG safety matters, have joined Bracewell’s Washington, DC office as partners in the energy regulatory practice. They come to the firm from Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP. “I am thrilled to welcome Catherine and Annie to […]

04 Jul 2022

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