T Mark Kelly

After serving as the firm’s Chairman from 2012 to 2021, Mark maintains an active practice concentrated on mergers and acquisitions for public and private companies, capital markets, and corporate governance.

In 2014, Mark was named “Lawyer of the Year” Corporate Law–Houston by Best Lawyers, (The Best Lawyers in America, 2014). Clients interviewed for Chambers USA say “Mark’s understanding of the legal landscape and the players in it is a vital asset to our company” and note “[he’s] an excellent lawyer who is great with client relationships” (Chambers USA, 2024). Mark has also been named to the NACD Directorship 100: Governance Professionals, a list of the most influential people in the boardroom community (2015–2019).

Mark has extensive experience in public offerings of equity securities, as well as public and private debt securities. His clients include numerous public and private companies, major investment banks, and venture capital firms in a diverse range of industries, including energy and oilfield services, gas marketing, manufacturing, insurance, medical technology, and shipping. Mark also has experience advising boards of directors at Fortune 100 companies. Mark has represented clients in over 150 domestic and cross-border debt and equity offerings since 2008.

Mark is past director of the State Bar of Texas, past president of the Houston Bar Association, and past chair of the Houston Bar Foundation. He is active Chair of the Executive Committee of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a member of the Board of Visitors of MD Anderson Cancer Center, a director of the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, and serves on the Board of the Greater Houston Partnership.

Joined V&E in May 1981; admitted to partnership in January 1989. Recognized as one of 12 corporate lawyers in the U.S. as Dealmaker of the Year by a leading legal publication. Also listed: NACD Directorship 100, 2015-2019; Chambers Global - Corporate/M&A, 2005-2019; Best Lawyers, ""Lawyer of the Year"" Corporate Law - Houston, 2014; The Best Lawyers in America©, Corporate Law, 1995-2019; Corporate Governance and Compliance Law, 2007-2019; Mergers & Acquisitions Law, 1995-2019; Securities/Capital Markets Law, 1995-2019.

Past Chairman, Houston Museum of Natural Science; Board of Visitors, MD Anderson Cancer Center; Board Member, Greater Houston Partnership; Director, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; Director, Attorneys' Liability Assurance Society Ltd.; Past Director, State Bar of Texas; Past President, Houston Bar Association; Past Chair, Houston Bar Foundation; Past President, Houston Young Lawyers Association