Vinson & Elkins

Vinson & Elkins is the premier energy-focused global law firm. It lives and dies in the energy sector, and judging by the firm’s financials they have done rather more of the former than the latter. Its London office is a coherent part of that vision, offering a market-leading energy practice in both transactions and disputes. In addition, the London office in particular has emerged as a leading player in the energy transition space. To begin with the core business of the London office, the firm excels at deal-making in the oil and gas markets. This is the financial heart of the Houston-based firm generally, with the firm advising on more than 10% greater deal value than its nearest rival in terms of global energy and power related M&A. Further, this was always the vision for the London team specifically - particularly in respect of the North Sea. Its London-based clientele (including Macquarie, Equilor, and JP Morgan) still support a booming trade in this regard, with higher profitability per partner and per lawyer than any other energy M&A group in the city. That said, it is a mistake to consider the firm’s London energy practice as one-dimensional. First, it is no longer North Sea-dependent. Rather, the London office now serves as the chief facilitator for a range of Northern European, Middle Eastern, and African deals. This is evidenced by, among other things, the fact that the firm’s Middle Eastern rainmaker, one Nabil Khodadad, sits not in Riyadh or Dubai, but in London. Further, the work is not limited to deal-making. Rather, the London office has built a stellar reputation for complex and novel international disputes work. Its Nicholas Henchie-led International Arbitration team frequently appears before the largest international courts and tribunals, often representing Sovereign states in the process. Despite a sectoral focus, work at the firm’s London office can vary greatly. A critique of an energy giant like Vinson & Elkins may plausibly lie in its exposure to big carbon emitters which may have to rapidly adopt their business models. But on this too, Vinson & Elkins will not be playing catch-up. It has rapidly established itself as a leading light in energy transition work, with the London office at the core of this. For instance, partner Scott Stiegler is one of the foremost City authorities on waste-to-energy projects. Further, it is one of the leading advisers for UK-based investors in carbon-capture initiatives. Vinson & Elkins’ training structure also reflects its focus on the energy sector specifically. Trainees do not rotate from seat-to-seat, but rather do energy-related work from many teams simultaneously.