Department profile

Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional)

USA Guide 2026 : USA - Nationwide

Rankings

Ranked Individuals

About

Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP

Vinson & Elkins is best known as a world-leading energy law firm, particularly in oil and gas, with a client base that includes many of the largest independent oil and gas exploration and production companies, premier private equity firms, midstream companies, and master limited partnerships. Our experience includes, among other things, the purchase and sale of oil and gas assets and projects, and we have extensive knowledge related to these kinds of transactions worldwide. Our practice is further bolstered by our regulatory team's extensive experience representing oil and gas clients in every type of regulatory proceeding before numerous state and federal agencies. V&E's Energy & Natural Resources practices leverage this significant experience to effectively and seamlessly serve our clients' oil and gas transactional, regulatory and litigation needs.

To learn more about our practice, please visit: https://www.velaw.com/industries/energy-upstream-oil-gas/
https://www.velaw.com/industries/energy-midstream-oil-gas/
https://www.velaw.com/industries/energy-downstream-oil-gas/
https://www.velaw.com/industries/energy-oilfield-services/
https://www.velaw.com/practices/mergers-acquisitions/
https://www.velaw.com/practices/private-equity/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) - USA - Nationwide

Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Vinson & Elkins LLP is a Houston-based powerhouse in the energy space, particularly excelling in oil and gas transactions and regulatory work. It continues to have a fantastic reputation for its work in upstream transactions and represents a fine choice of counsel for LNG matters. The firm offers leading representation in the midstream space, with expertise in matters including presidential permit applications and rate cases. With its strong international presence, clients are offered exceptional expertise in various energy-producing regions around the world. The firm draws on additional competencies in tax, environmental compliance and project finance, to assist players in the oil and gas sector.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

Vinson & Elkins LLP advised CrownRock in the closing of its sale to Occidental Petroleum Corporation valued at approximately $12.4 billion.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Vinson & Elkins has deep industry strength, integrated multidisciplinary teams, strategic negotiation and market insight. It provides high-quality work product within a short turnaround time.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
Vinson & Elkins is responsive, pragmatic and offers commercial advice.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
Vinson & Elkins is really good at working on large complex transactions.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Eminent Practitioners
Eminent Practitioners
Keith Fullenweider
Keith Fullenweider expertly advises private equity firms on the full spectrum of oil and gas transactions, including M&A, financing and securities matters.
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Band 1
Band 1
Bryan Loocke
Bryan Loocke focuses his practice on upstream and midstream oil and gas matters, with expertise spanning M&A and a broad range of commercial agreements concerning gathering and processing.
Bryan is a fierce negotiator. He's very smart and commercial.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 1
Band 1
James D Seegers
James Seegers has considerable expertise in regulatory issues surrounding the construction and operation of natural gas pipelines.
He has a really deep breadth of natural gas regulatory knowledge.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
James has an incredible fountain of knowledge of his specialty.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 2
Band 2
John Grand
John Grand's oil and gas practice spans M&A, joint ventures and investments, with a particular focus in the upstream and midstream sectors.
John Grand has great technical skills.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 3
Band 3
Jeffrey M Jakubiak
Jeffrey Jakubiak has a wealth of experience handling a range of FERC proceedings as well as advising key power sector clients on compliance and enforcement matters.
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Band 4
Band 4
Chris Bennett
Chris Bennett centers his practice on the upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors, frequently handling M&A and private equity transactions.
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Band 4
Band 4
Christopher Polito
Christopher Polito is adept at representing major energy clients before FERC. He is noted for his experience handling tariff and cost matters, as well as non-public investigations.
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Band 4
Band 4
Danielle Patterson
Danielle Patterson is noted for her expertise in oil and gas transactions. She has particular experience acting on behalf of hydrocarbon exploration companies.
Danielle has great business acumen and great demeanor negotiating with counterparties.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 4
Band 4
Shay Kuperman
Shay Kuperman regularly represents clients active in the oil and gas sector. He has particular strength guiding clients through the acquisition of companies and assets.
Shay Kuperman brings exceptional legal insight and commercial acumen to complex energy transactions.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 5
Band 5
Jason Fleischer
Jason Fleischer is experienced across a range of FERC litigation and investigation matters, regularly acting for pipelines and other market participants.
He does excellent, excellent work.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 5
Band 5
Monique Watson
Monique Watson focuses her practice in the natural gas sector. She is well-versed in oil pipeline regulations and managing rate approvals before FERC.
Monique understands the industry very well and is very responsive.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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Band 5
Band 5
Suzanne Clevenger
Suzanne Clevenger acts for major energy clients in rate and tariff matters before FERC. She has additional experience handling Natural Gas Act Section 4 cases.
Suzanne has a deep knowledge and expertise in the natural gas regulatory space.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
Suzanne is incredibly talented. She's really good with details and organization and keeping on track, but she also has a very firm grasp of legal concepts.
Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) respondentUSA
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