Vinson & Elkins

Founded in Houston in 1917, this Texas-based institution built its name as one of the most vital energy law firms. Today, Vinson & Elkins is a trusted adviser to clients in the most important industrial and digital industries, such as renewable energy, technology, banking/finance, M&A/private equity, real estate, media, complex litigation, and tax. 

A Dynamic Centenarian

V&E is a diverse partnership and team of professionals, solving problems and creating opportunities for clients in their transactions, investments, projects, and disputes in 12 offices across the globe. In 2021, the firm celebrated the 50th anniversary of its London office—making it one of the oldest U.S. law firms with a continuous presence in the city. Its New York City office has also seen a recent growth spurt: A 50% increase since the end of 2018 has brought the firm’s Big Apple headcount to more than 100 lawyers.

In May 2021, V&E announced a new leadership structure effective January 1, 2022, with the election of its new Executive Committee. Keith Fullenweider (Houston) will serve as the firm’s next Chair, along with Jim Fox (New York), Michael Holmes (Dallas), and Hilary Preston (Austin and New York) as Vice Chairs. The transition will close out the impressive ten-year run—the maximum allowed by the firm—for Chairman Mark Kelly and Managing Partner Scott Wulfe.

The Energy Evolution

V&E navigates its clients’ most complex legal matters with expertise across practices, including litigation, investigations, real estate, private equity, technology, leveraged finance, and more. Within its capacities as a full-service firm, V&E continues to thrive in its original core areas of energy and infrastructure—its consistent top rankings in Vault’s Energy, Oil & Gas, and Clean Tech/Renewable Energy categories speak for themselves. 

During the past 20 years, the firm has built a top-notch clean energy & renewables practice with experience working with hydro, solar, and wind energies; energy storage; fuel cells; smart-grid applications; biomass; waste-to-energy; and more. The team works across practices, bringing in the firm’s experience in environmental law counseling, licensing, M&A, project development, project financing, regulatory counseling, and tax.

V&E’s focus on the energy evolution provides insight and analysis to clients on a broad range of topics looking at how companies and economies are building an energy sustainability and clean technology future, including renewable energy projects, federal and state regulation, climate change adaptation, and international developments.

Plus Pro Bono

V&E isn’t just a big player in the energy, financial, industrial, and digital worlds—it also has a strong commitment to pro bono—V&E lawyers perform an average of 30,000 hours of pro bono work every year. V&E is most known for the legal aid it provides veterans, nonprofits, low-income individuals, asylum seekers, and those seeking medical guardianship. You can read about V&E’s pro bono highlights as well as other stories on V&E’s values and ventures on its companion V&E+ site.

• Vinson & Elkins is at the forefront of the energy transition, advising on complex transactions and disputes related to renewables and clean energy, providing Inflation Reduction Act tax credit counseling, and helping clients navigate climate change and ESG risks. In 2022, V&E advised on more than $25 billion related matters. Clients include Goldman Sachs, Riverstone, Macquarie, and The Carlyle Group.
• In 2022, V&E trial attorneys secured a $94 million unanimous jury verdict for Huntsman Corporation against an industrial gas supplier in a breach of contract. 
• V&E’s Shareholder Activism practice is top ranked, defending nearly 300 campaigns over proxy seasons 2015-2023.
• Represented Woodside Petroleum in $43 billion merger with BHP Group, creating a global top 10 independent energy company, one of the largest transactions by value in the industry in 2022. 
• Advising companies in the digital infrastructure and technology sectors related to AI, gaming platforms, and data centers.

• Mansfield Rule Certified, 2020-2023—Diversity Lab
• Best Law Firm for Women for 10th year, 2022—Seramount 
• 100% Score for 11 years on Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ Workplace Equality, 2022—Human Rights Campaign
• Named for three years to Bloomberg Law’s DEI Framework for firms that meet or exceed an established threshold of diversity, equity, and inclusion, 2021-2023—Bloomberg Law
• 80% of V&E Partners are recognized for their work in leading legal publications, 2022-2023—Chambers, Legal 500, Best Lawyers