January 5, 2010 — Vinson & Elkins promoted eight lawyers to the partnership effective January 1, 2010. Four of the new partners are in Dallas, one in Austin, Houston, New York, and Washington, DC. The new partners practice in a number of V&E's firm-wide practice areas, including litigation, restructuring and reorganization, tax, public finance, mergers and acquisitions, and capital markets and securities.
Two of the lawyers are now or have recently been on reduced work schedules as part of V&E's award-winning Women's Initiative Program. In addition, V&E is promoting a senior associate specializing in international arbitration and dispute resolution in its Beijing office to counsel.
The eight new partners are Ari Berman, Frank Brame, Stephen Gill, Jonathan Leatherberry, Tonya Ramsey, Suzanne Reifman, Wendy Salinas, and Chris Schmitt.
"These eight lawyers have already achieved tremendous success for their clients and in their careers, and we anticipate they will make major contributions to our profession, their clients, and their communities," says V&E Managing Partner Joe Dilg. "I am very proud of each of my new partners."
Capital Markets and Securities
Chris Schmitt represents private and public corporations, private equity groups, and venture capital funds involved in structuring and negotiating mergers and acquisitions. A 1999 graduate of the University of Michigan School of Law, Chris has handled preferred stock financing transactions, advised on security law compliance matters, and represented public companies and limited partnerships in public offerings of equity and debt and 144A private placements of debt. He has been an instrumental member of the V&E team representing Dell Inc. in a number of acquisitions and investments in other technology companies. He was named a "Texas Rising Star" in 2009. Chris is in V&E's Austin office.
Litigation
Ari M. Berman is a commercial and securities litigator in V&E's New York office who represents public and private corporations, financial institutions, private equity firms, and corporate executives and directors in complex business lawsuits and bankruptcy court proceedings. Ari, who is a member of V&E's Securities Litigation and Enforcement Group, also represents companies and individuals in a variety of federal and state regulatory proceedings, including investigations brought by the SEC and other regulators, including the New York State Attorney General and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, also known as FINRA. Ari is a 1999 graduate of New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the NYU Law Review.
Frank Brame represents corporations and individuals in complex business and commercial litigation matters ranging from breach of contract disputes and antitrust claims to allegations of fraud and tortious interference. Frank, who received his law degree from Harvard University in 2001 and practices in V&E's Dallas office, was one of the lead lawyers who successfully defended the City of Dallas in a federal antitrust lawsuit filed by those who objected to the agreement reached between the airlines and municipalities resolving the Wright Amendment controversy. He also was an instrumental part of the V&E litigation team that won a defense verdict following a three-week jury trial in a $218 million patent infringement case. Frank was named a "Texas Rising Star" in 2009.
Suzanne Reifman is a commercial litigator who assists corporate clients involved in international business transactions navigate through the complex world of export controls, economic sanctions, and other compliance requirements imposed by U.S. and foreign laws, regulations, and treaties. A 1998 graduate of The George Washington University Law School, Suzanne, who offices in Washington, DC, represents clients on licensing, compliance, and enforcement issues related to equipment and technology controlled under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, the Export Administration Regulations, and sanctions regulations administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. She also specializes in government contracts law and her experience includes counseling, claims preparation and analysis, and litigation, with special expertise in government real estate contracts. Prior to entering legal practice, Suzanne was a contracting officer for the U.S. General Services Administration. Suzanne has been instrumental in the development of the firm's Women's Initiative.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Stephen Gill represents publicly traded corporations, investment banks, and private equity firms in mergers, acquisitions, corporate securities matters, and governance issues. Steve was the lead lawyer for T-3 Energy Services Inc. when it acquired multiple oilfield services businesses. Steve was also one of the lead attorneys representing Huntsman Corporation in the negotiation of a merger agreement with Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. and was instrumental in the related litigation in Delaware, which ultimately led to a ten-figure settlement for Huntsman. He also represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of oilfield service and mining businesses. Steve has also represented issuers and underwriters in dozens of securities transactions, including IPOs and debt and equity offerings. Steve received his law degree from Tulane University Law School in 2001, where he was a member of the Tulane Law Review. He has been a "Texas Rising Star" in 2005 - 2011. He is in V&E's Houston office.
Public Finance
Jonathan Leatherberry, during his career thus far, has served as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, underwriter's counsel, and borrower's counsel for hospitals, healthcare companies, and non-profit entities in the issuance of more than $5 billion in tax-exempt bonds. Jonathan represented Parkland Hospital in 2009 in connection with the issuance of $700 million in bonds to finance the construction of a replacement hospital facility for the residents of Dallas County. He also represented the Dallas Center for the Performing Arts in 2006 and 2008 in the issuance of $150 million to construct a new performing arts district in downtown Dallas. He is a 1999 graduate of Southern Methodist University's Dedman School of Law and was named a "Texas Rising Star" in 2008 and 2009. Jonathan also served as chairman of the Securities Law and Disclosure Committee of the National Association of Bond Lawyers. He is in V&E's Dallas office.
Restructuring and Reorganization
Tonya Ramsey represents debtors, lenders, creditors, landlords, and trustees involved in bankruptcy, restructuring, and reorganization matters. Tonya, who received her law degree from Baylor University School of Law in 1998 and offices in Dallas, is currently the lead counsel for a Kentucky coal mining company that is liquidating its assets in a Chapter 11 proceeding in Lexington, Kentucky. She also was the lead counsel for the owners of 81 convenience stores that restructured $81 million in secured debt through a Chapter 11 reorganization and was a key part of the V&E team representing creditors holding $848 million in claims against Azabu Building Company Ltd. in Honolulu. Tonya was named a "Texas Rising Star" in four of the past five years (2005, 2006, 2008 - 2011). She has been a very active member of V&E's Women's Career Development Council and has helped shape many of the law firm's successful initiatives to recruit and retain women lawyers.
Tax Law
Wendy Salinas specializes in tax-exempt finance, taxable finance, and tax litigation. A 2001 graduate of the University of Virginia School of Law, Wendy's clients range from hospitals, universities, and cities to energy companies and hedge funds. She reviews, structures, and advises on tax-exempt bond transactions, including synthetic fixed-rate refundings and new money financings. She also advises borrowers and lenders on the tax implications of domestic and cross-border financing transactions. Wendy, who is in V&E's Dallas office, was named a "Texas Rising Star" in 2008. As the vice-chair of the Section 501(c)(3) Financing Subcommittee of the American Bar Association, she authored a comment to the Treasury Department regarding qualified tax-exempt obligations.
In addition, V&E is pleased to announce that senior associate Nicholas Song, who practices in the firm's Beijing office, has been promoted to Counsel. Nicholas' practice focuses on international arbitration and dispute resolution. He also has an active international mergers and acquisitions practice and is a member of the firm's China Practice Group.
Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.