
Corporate/M&A: The Elite
USA Guide 2026 : Texas
Rankings

Ranked Individuals
Ranked Individuals
About
Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP
Vinson & Elkins’ preeminent Mergers & Acquisitions practice leverages the firm’s global presence with a deep, talented bench of attorneys. Clients such as public and private companies, private equity and other financial sponsors, boards of directors and special committees, and financial advisors ask V&E to execute their most complex and high profile transactions. By leveraging the full capabilities of V&E’s offices worldwide, the M&A lawyers efficiently handle even the most complex, cross-jurisdictional deals. V&E has extensive experience representing public and private sellers, purchasers and targets in executing complex acquisitions and financings of private and public companies, joint ventures, carve-out transactions, going private transactions, spin-off transactions, control and minority investments and other strategic business combinations.
V&E is consistently recognized as one of the world’s leading energy firms and has an impressive track record in mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, investments, and other strategic transactions within all subsectors of the entire energy industry: upstream, oilfield services, midstream and downstream. Astute in advising on matters involving conventional and unconventional assets and drilling operations, our Energy M&A team is well regarded for its technical prowess and understanding of the many effects market conditions have on our clients’ bottom line.
https://www.velaw.com/practices/mergers-acquisitions/
Chambers Review
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Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Vinson & Elkins represented Sunoco in connection with its acquisition of Parkland Corporation.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
Vinson & Elkins can handle anything.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAThey are very commercial and detailed-oriented in understanding complex issues.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSATheir top-notch service at all times and responsiveness continues to be a differentiating factor versus peers.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAThis department truly understands the commercial concerns and what a business cares about. This is unique in that they are often addressing our concerns before we even raise them.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAVinson & Elkins' commercial awareness is the biggest reason we like to work with them.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Senior Statespeople 
Senior Statespeople 
T Mark Kelly
Senior statesperson Mark Kelly is well versed in a host of corporate matters and M&A.
Mark is a legend.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Eminent Practitioners 
Eminent Practitioners 
Keith Fullenweider
Keith Fullenweider is chair of Vinson & Elkins. His leading transactional practice sees him regularly work with the foremost private equity firms.
Keith is a great attorney. He is super smart, super focused and a well-known individual in Texas.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 1 
Band 1 
W Matthew Strock
Matthew Strock is best known for his work with private equity firms and their portfolio companies on transactional matters. Matt is an excellent lawyer and is very knowledgeable.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAHe is our hand-picked relationship partner for his depth of knowledge, level of service, trustworthiness and overall likeability.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAHe is knowledgeable, practical and extremely affable.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAMatt has very deep expertise in the marketplace.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
J Wesley Jones
Wesley Jones is highly regarded for his experience advising venture capital firms and public and private companies on transactional concerns. He offers particular expertise in the technology sector. He knows everything about us and is very responsive.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Lande Spottswood
Lande Spottswood is noted for her capabilities handling transactions involving energy, natural resources and industrial clients.
Lande is super technical and super smart.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSALande is excellent. She is good at boiling down complex issues to something that is easy to understand.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 2 
Band 2 
Milam Newby
Milam Newby regularly advises investors and emerging businesses on private financing transactions. His clients also include Fortune 100 companies. He is a great partner, who is always looking for ways to help and add value.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAMilam is an excellent attorney.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAHe is phenomenal.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Peter Marshall
Peter Marshall is highly sought after by private equity funds to advise on a range of transactions. He is active in a range of sectors.
He is a true counsellor who brings a high level of commercial understanding and vision.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSAHis ability to lead transactions and drive results is impressive.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 3 
Band 3 
Robert Hughes
Robert Hughes is proficient at advising private and public companies, in addition to private equity firms, on a variety of transactions. This includes assisting with M&A and joint ventures.
Robert is an exceptional lawyer. His talent and broad experience has him equipped to take on any challenge.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 4 
Band 4 
Douglas E McWilliams
Douglas McWilliams is based in the firm's Houston office and handles a range of transactional work. He is particularly noted for his work on mergers, acquisitions and capital markets.
He is very capable and super smart.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Band 5 
Band 5 
Robert L Kimball
Robert Kimball advises on a host of corporate matters including securities, M&A and governance issues. Robert is very technical and well respected.
Corporate/M&A: The Elite respondentUSA
Up and Coming 
Up and Coming 
Michael P Gibson
Austin-based Michael Gibson earns plaudits for his burgeoning M&A practice. He has notable experience advising venture investors and emerging growth companies.
Ranked Individuals at Vinson & Elkins LLP (14)
Members
Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP

Robert Hughes
View profile of Robert Hughes
T Mark Kelly
View profile of T Mark Kelly
Robert L Kimball
View profile of Robert L Kimball
Douglas E McWilliams
View profile of Douglas E McWilliams
W Matthew Strock
View profile of W Matthew Strock
Lande Spottswood
View profile of Lande Spottswood
J Wesley Jones
View profile of J Wesley Jones
Keith Fullenweider
View profile of Keith Fullenweider
Milam Newby
View profile of Milam Newby
Peter Marshall
View profile of Peter Marshall
Michael P Gibson
View profile of Michael P Gibson
Vinson & Elkins LLP has rankings in the following guides
Band 1 USA 2026
Practice area: Corporate/M&A
Location: Texas: Austin & Surrounds
View department profile for USA 2026
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