January 11, 2012 — Vinson & Elkins LLP has promoted 14 lawyers in its domestic and international offices to the law firm’s partnership.
“The geographic and practice area representation of this new class of partners mirrors the growth of our firm globally,” said Mark Kelly, Chairman of Vinson & Elkins. “The excellent capabilities and broad experience of these fine lawyers will allow us to continue to deliver the highest level of client service.”
The new partners practice in eight of the firm’s offices: in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Hong Kong, Houston, London, New York, and Shanghai, and they work in seven of the firm’s practice areas: complex commercial litigation, energy transactions/projects, mergers & acquisitions/private equity, finance, energy regulatory, intellectual property, and tax. The partnership admissions are effective January 1, 2012.
"This group of talented attorneys brings intelligence and dedication to their practices, the firm, and our clients," noted Scott Wulfe, Vinson & Elkins' Managing Partner. "We are proud of their outstanding efforts, and welcome them to the partnership."
Following is the list of new partners, their practices, and offices, and biographies for each:
London
Mark Beeley, Complex Commercial Litigation
Robert Dixon, M&A/Private Equity
Asia
Beijing: Nicholas Song, Energy Transactions/Projects
Hong Kong: David Lang, Energy Transactions/Projects
Shanghai: Tju Liang Chua, Energy Transactions/Projects
U.S.
Austin: Milam Newby, M&A/Private Equity
Austin: Michael Valek, Intellectual Property
Dallas: Timothy Johnston, Finance
Dallas: Myles Reynolds, Energy Regulation
Dallas: Todd Way, Tax
Houston: Shay Kuperman, Energy Transactions/Projects
Houston: John Michael, Energy Transactions/Projects
Houston: Kaam Sahely, Energy Transactions/Projects
New York: Hilary Preston, Complex Commercial Litigation
Attorney Biographies
Complex Commercial Litigation
Mark Beeley practices in the firm’s London office, where he focuses on international dispute resolution (through arbitration, litigation, or ADR techniques) and in particular arbitrations in the Energy sector. Accredited with “exceptional expertise” by Legal 500 UK (2011) and described by Chambers UK (2012) as "well prepared and focused," and "responsive to clients' needs," Mark has led significant matters and frequently appeared as advocate in both international arbitrations and English Commercial Court cases. His practice is increasingly focused on disputes involving the Indian Sub-Continent and Africa. During the past 12 months, Mark has been instrumental in obtaining significant wins for clients involved in billion dollar arbitrations against States and state entities and has worked closely with IDR Practice Group Leader James Loftis to build the firm’s IDR practice in the Middle East. Mark graduated from University of Exeter, L.L.B in 2000, and was called to the Bar in 2001, before converting to being a Solicitor Advocate in 2003.
Hilary L. Preston practices in the firm’s New York office. She is a commercial litigator with a broad range of experience litigating in trial and appellate courts across the country, focusing on intellectual property litigation, business and commercial disputes, and federal securities litigations and enforcement matters. She also has substantial experience counseling clients in indemnity and digital media rights disputes. Hilary received her law degree with high honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003, where she was a member of the Texas Law Review, and she received her Bachelor’s degree in physics from Rice University.
Energy Regulation
Myles Reynolds practices in the firm’s Dallas office. He focuses on representation of and associated counseling for energy companies regulated by state and federal government agencies, including the Public Utility Commission of Texas, the Railroad Commission of Texas, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Myles represents large transmission and distribution electric utilities, natural gas midstream companies and marketing entities in litigated proceedings and transactions. He also has extensive experience on environmental issues associated with facility expansions and surface mining activities. Myles was recognized as a “Texas Rising Star” by Texas Monthly in 2009. He is a 2001 graduate of Tulane University Law School, where he received a Certificate in Environmental Law and served as editor of the Tulane Environmental Law Journal.
Energy Transactions/Projects
Tju Liang Chua is based in Shanghai and is a member of the firm’s worldwide Energy Transactions and Projects practice. His principal areas of practice are cross-border mergers and acquisitions and international business transactions, with particular focus on the energy sector. Tju Liang has extensive experience advising clients on a broad range of energy transactions, including major energy M&A, project development, LNG supply agreements, and oilfield services. Most recently, he advised Sinopec on its C$10.3 billion acquisition of Addax Petroleum and its US$7.1 billion investment in Repsol Brasil in 2010, the largest ever international energy acquisitions by Chinese companies. Tju Liang graduated from National University of Singapore Faculty of Law in 2000. Prior to relocating to Shanghai, Tju Liang had been based in Singapore, Jakarta, and London.
Shay Kuperman’s practice focuses on business and international law. His experience includes many types of transactions, including project development, mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures, and investments. He has worked on matters in other countries throughout the Americas, Asia, and West Africa. Shay has experience in advising major oil and gas companies. Most recently, he advised Occidental Petroleum Corporation in a $2.5 billion sale of Argentine oil and gas operations to Sinopec, and Reliance Industries Ltd. in acquisitions of interests in Marcellus Shale gas assets and joint ventures. Shay received his law degree from New York University School of Law in 2001. He practices in the Houston office.
David Lang represents clients in a variety of sectors including upstream, natural gas transmission and storage, LNG, power, mining, renewable energy, and petrochemicals. His principal areas of practice are energy infrastructure development and mergers and acquisitions, with a particular focus on the LNG sector. David’s experience goes beyond the legal perspective. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas in 1998 and worked as a reservoir engineer for a major international energy company prior to attending law school. He received his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003. David practices in the Hong Kong office.
John Michael leads the firm’s maritime and offshore practice. He represents clients in a wide variety of corporate, finance, and commercial matters relating to shipping, marine terminalling, and offshore drilling and oilfield services. John’s experience includes marine and energy transactions across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Africa involving LNG and the upstream, midstream, and downstream segments of the oil and gas industry. John also has considerable experience representing clients in the bulk commodity and public port sectors. John’s transactional practice is complemented by his unique experience in admiralty litigation, and he has cases in both state and federal courts involving charter party disputes and ship collisions. John has represented clients before the United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Maritime Administration, and U.S. Customs on issues related to marine pollution, port security, “Jones Act” compliance, and vessel documentation. John is a member of the Greater Houston Partnership’s Ports Task Force, and is a former Vice Chair of the Admiralty and Maritime Law Committee of the American Bar Association. He graduated magna cum laude from Tulane University, with a Certificate of Specialization in Maritime Law in 2003. He practices in the firm’s Houston office.
Kaam Sahely practices in the firm’s Houston office. He represents sponsors/developers, investors, buyers and sellers, contracts, lenders, and other participants on their global energy and infrastructure projects. He has a wide range of experience in project development and finance, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures. His experience spans the energy business, including upstream, LNG, refining and chemicals, power generation and transmission, and mining and metals transactions. Kaam regularly works with a range of clients on their global transactions and has in recent years worked closely with The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., on a variety of energy deals, including tax equity and other investments in coal, wind and solar projects, assets and entities. Prior to practicing in V&E’s Houston office, Kaam worked in the firm’s London and Dubai offices. He is a 2002 graduate of Monash University (Hons).
Nicholas Song is a member of V&E’s International Dispute Resolution practice group. His principal areas of practice are corporate and commercial, mergers and acquisitions, international joint ventures, and other international business transactions, mostly in the oil and gas sector. He also has a keen interest in international commercial and investment arbitrations. He represents some of the largest Chinese state-owned enterprises on international M&A transactions and has advised clients on international arbitrations under the HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, and LMAA Rules. Nicholas graduated from the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law with upper second class honors in 1996, the New York University School of Law in 1999, and Queen Mary, University of London in 2008 with distinction in International and Comparative Dispute Resolution. He is admitted to practice in Singapore, New York, and England and Wales. Nicholas has worked in the firm’s New York and London offices and currently practices in the Beijing office.
Finance
Timothy Johnston’s practice focuses on finance transactions. He represents arrangers, lenders and borrowers in connection with a variety of domestic and international loan transactions including syndicated finance, asset-based finance, oil and gas finance, structured finance, and loan workouts. Tim has represented several major private equity funds and their portfolio companies in connection with finance transactions, including natural gas exploration and production companies. He graduated with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003 and practices in the firm’s Dallas office.
Intellectual Property
Michael Valek is an Intellectual Property (IP) litigator in V&E’s Austin office. His principal area of practice is patent litigation. His courtroom experience includes multiple jury and bench trials in both federal district court and before the International Trade Commission, preliminary injunction hearings, Markman proceedings, and summary judgment hearings. He has advised clients in a wide array of fields, including computer software, polymer chemistry, protein engineering, mechanical devices, and green energy technologies. Michael is also an active participant in the IP law bar and currently serves as a member by invitation of the amicus committee for the IP Law Section of the American Bar Association. He has authored several important amicus briefs on behalf of the ABA, including briefs in both the Therasense and Seagate cases before the en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Michael has been recognized in Texas Monthly as a “Texas Rising Star” from 2008-2011. He graduated with high honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003. Prior to joining V&E, Michael served as law clerk to The Honorable Timothy B. Dyk of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit from 2003-2004.
Mergers & Acquisitions/Private Equity
Robert Dixon is based in V&E’s London office. Robert advises on a wide range of corporate transactions including acquisitions and disposals (public and private), joint ventures, equity investments, and capital raisings. Robert also has a strong background in advising various FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies on corporate governance and compliance matters. During the past year, Robert has been instrumental in developing the firm’s Telecoms Infrastructure practice. Robert has advised on numerous high value telecoms deals in emerging markets, including acting on telecoms towers sale and leaseback transactions in 12 African countries. He received a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) in 1998 and a Diploma in Legal Practice in 1999, both from University of Edinburgh.
Milam Newby is located in the firm’s Austin office and practices in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, private equity, and capital markets. He has experience representing companies at all stages of development, from start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, as well as venture capital firms, private equity firms, and other private and public equity investors. Milam has represented companies and investors across a wide range of industries, including software, hardware, semiconductors, information technology services, biotechnology, consumer products, and energy, in private financing transactions, private and public securities offerings, mergers and acquisitions, management buy-outs, debt financing, joint ventures and strategic alliances and other business transactions. In 2010 and 2011, Milam was named “Texas Rising Star” by Texas Monthly. He graduated with honors from The University of Texas School of Law in 2003.
Tax
Todd Way practices in the firm’s Dallas office. He advises clients on the tax aspects of complex domestic and cross-border transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, partnership and other joint venture arrangements, capital markets and private financing transactions, spin-offs, and bankruptcy and insolvency restructurings. He has extensive experience in planning and structuring transactions involving natural resources and alternative energy, including joint ventures to exploit wet and dry shale plays and tax-free like-like exchanges. Todd represents private equity funds, master limited partnerships, real estate investment trusts and other pooled investment vehicles in connection with capital formations, acquisitions and divestitures. Recently, he advised Korea National Oil Corporation (KNOC) in a $1.55 billion acquisition and joint venture agreement to buy a stake in a Texas shale oil block from Anadarko Petroleum Corp., located in the liquids rich Eagle Ford shale. The deal was the second-largest purchase of U.S. oil and natural gas fields, and is the first significant investment by KNOC in U.S. shale. He also advised Concho Resources in connection with its $1.3 billion acquisition of select oil and natural gas assets of Marbob Energy. Todd received his law degree from The University of Texas School of Law (with honors) in 2003 and was a member of the Texas Law Review.
Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 760 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. For more information, please contact Carrie Kaufman (+1.713.758.4330) or visit us at www.velaw.com.
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