Skip to content
Our History

At Vinson & Elkins, we are proud of our former lawyers and their varied and impressive accomplishments

More than a century ago, William A. Vinson and James A. Elkins were brought together by a shared desire—to create an enduring partnership of outstanding professionals that clients could rely upon for their legal needs. As we reflect on our past and look forward to our future, we want to express our gratitude to our clients for placing their trust in us and to all members of the V&E family, past and present, who helped fulfill our founders’ vision.

Vinson & Elkins Centennial Celebration: 1917-2017
  • A Century in the Making

    In 1917, Woodrow Wilson was president, the United States was entering World War I, and Texas was in the midst of a historic oil boom. Against that backdrop, William Ashton Vinson and James Anderson Elkins, Sr. forged a partnership that would become a world leading energy law firm over the course of the next century.

    Explore Timeline