LAWYER PROFILE
David Oelman

David Oelman

USA 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States

USA - Nationwide

8 years ranked

About

Provided by Vinson & Elkins LLP

USA

Practice Areas

David is one of the country’s leading IPO and public company lawyers, having worked with over one hundred NYSE and NASDAQ listed issuers over the last 35 years. David’s experience is rooted in the long term growth of the US midstream and infrastructure industry beginning in the 1990s followed by the unexpected and explosive growth accompanying the shale revolution in the late 2000s. David’s more recent engagements include LNG, transition energy and power and data center related issuers. David has also devoted significant time to helping his clients in the evaluation, negotiation and completion of strategic M&A as the US midstream and upstream industries have consolidated. A number of David’s clients have worked with him for over 25 years.

In April 2019, David was inducted into the Alerian Hall of Fame, together with Kelcy Warren, the founder and Chairman of Energy Transfer, Raymond Plank, former President of Apache Corporation, and David Fleischer, key leader of Chickasaw Capital Management, in recognition of his work in the U.S. midstream and infrastructure industry over three decades. His work has been recognized by Chambers as Tier 1 for U.S. Capital Markets as well as by Lega) 500, The Best Lawyers in America© and the International Who’s Who of Capital Markets Lawyers. In its most recent edition of the Chambers USA national securities rankings, a Chambers interviewee noted that David “is a very valuable resource with great experience and a breadth of knowledge” while another client praised him saying he is “consistently outstanding” (2024).

David has been elected to the firm’s Management Committee three times, served as head and co-head of the firm’s Capital Markets and Mergers and Acquisitions Group for over a decade and has held roles as Hiring Partner and Lead Talent Partner over the course of his career at the firm.

Career

Admitted to Texas Bar (1991). Joined the firm as a Partner (2000).

Professional Memberships

Board of Directors of the Master Limited Partnership Association

Personal

Princeton University, Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, BA (Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa), 1987; The University of Texas School of Law, JD (Chancellors, Order of the Coif), 1990.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Capital Markets: Debt & Equity - Texas

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial
David Oelman acts for clients in a range of capital markets matters, with an emphasis on IPOs. He brings to bear significant experience in diverse industries, including energy, biotechnology and construction.

Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United States - USA - Nationwide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

David Oelman acts for clients in a range of capital markets matters, with an emphasis on IPOs. He brings to bear significant experience in diverse industries, including energy, biotechnology and construction.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • David is wonderful to work with, he truly gets what his clients goals are and does everything within his power to achieve those goals.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Guide to the USA
  • David is an incredibly valuable resource who is there when you need him.

    Capital Markets: Debt & EquityChambers Guide to the USA
  • David is wonderful to work with, he truly gets what his clients' goals are and does everything within his power to achieve those goals.

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United StatesChambers Guide to the USA
  • David is an incredibly valuable resource who is there when you need him.

    Capital Markets: Debt & Equity: Central United StatesChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Vinson & Elkins LLP (174)

California

California: Southern

Colorado

District of Columbia

New York

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