Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. People
  3. Austin J. Pierce
Austin J. Pierce
Austin J. Pierce
Associate — Environmental & Natural Resources
E: austinpierce@velaw.com T: +1.713.758.2356
VCard BIO PDF
Associate — Environmental & Natural Resources

Austin J. Pierce

Austin J. Pierce
Houston
T: +1.713.758.2356
F: +1.713.615.5288

1001 Fannin Street
Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77002

E: austinpierce@velaw.com
VCard BIO PDF
Austin J. Pierce

Austin Pierce advises clients on all manner of issues regarding sustainability and ESG. The first associate appointed to V&E’s ESG Taskforce, he regularly works with companies on disclosures (both required and voluntary), strategic projects, policy development and implementation, and the assessment and management of ESG risks and opportunities.

Austin’s approach to ESG includes an understanding not only of each of the “E,” “S,” and “G” pillars individually, but also how these pillars intersect and impact each other. This experience includes work across industries and regions, as Austin has helped clients on matters involving the agriculture, food & forestry; carbon management; chemicals; financial; metals & mining; oil & gas; power; renewable energy; technology; telecommunications; transportation & logistics; and waste management sectors. Austin also writes and speaks on a variety of topics related to sustainability and ESG, including how they interact with other subjects—ranging from the law of the sea to the burgeoning hydrogen economy.

Austin also advises clients on a wide range on environmental matters at issue in project development, project finance, mergers and acquisitions, real estate development, and debt and equity offerings.

Prior to joining Vinson & Elkins, Austin completed his LL.M. in International & Comparative Law at Duke University. He has used his proficiency in various legal systems and languages to help clients throughout the Americas, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.

The following is a list of representative matters in which Austin has assisted.

Experience

  • Large American investment bank in preferred investment in metals processing company

  • Multiple companies in strategic acquisitions and divestitures, including environmental and ESG due diligence and negotiations

  • Multiple companies with environmental and ESG disclosures for debt and equity offerings, as well as ongoing reporting obligations

  • Utility company in review of board policies and corporate governance documentation and integration of ESG oversight into same

  • EV infrastructure company in development of board policies and related corporate governance matters

  • Mining company on environmental and tribal matters

  • Evaluate both environmental and human rights laws and regulations to advise on strategic project development in Latin America (including work in English, Spanish, and Portuguese)

  • Multiple companies with review and defense of environmental assessments prepared for projects

  • Multiple companies in benchmarking of ESG policies and strategy & development of same

  • Multiple companies in preparation of ESG reports

  • Several industry trade associations and companies in response to agency requests for input regarding climate and ESG disclosure regulation

  • Several private equity firms on best practices for environmental and ESG standards and due diligence

  • Large American multinational investment bank in the preparation of Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) Report

  • Several energy companies in assessment of climate risks, including review of climate scenario analyses and legal trends

  • Mining company in consideration of regulatory risks associated with findings of climate change scenario analysis

  • Upstream oil & gas company in development of human rights and indigenous rights policies

  • Mining company in assessment of cultural resources and indigenous community opposition risk

  • Decarbonization Plus Acquisition Corporation on environmental and ESG considerations in business combination with Hyzon Motors Inc.

  • Gas utility on regulatory considerations for hydrogen blending in existing gas supply operations

Credentials

  • Duke University School of Law, LL.M., International and Comparative Law, 2018
  • Duke University School of Law, J.D., , 2018 (Executive Editor, Duke Journal of Comparative & International Law; President, Hispanic & Latino Law Students Association)
  • Washington & Lee University, B.A., Economics and Philosophy cum laude, 2015
  • Member: Steering Committee, International Law Section, International Human Rights Committee, American Bar Association, 2021
  • Member: Working Group for Climate Change and Human Rights: International Law Section, International Human Rights Committee, American Bar Association, 2020–2021
  • Member: International Human Rights Committee: International Law Section, Texas Bar Association, 2020–2021
  • Texas
  • Fluent – Spanish
  • Proficient – Chinese (Mandarin), French, Portuguese, Sorbian (Lower and Upper)
  • Basic – Arabic, Chinese (Wu), Danish, Dutch, German, Japanese

News & Insights

Deals & Cases
Rockcliff Energy Management II LLC Closes $700 Million Senior Notes Offering
October 4, 2021
Insight
The SEC Sample Climate Change Comment Letter Is a Warning

First Published in CorpGov

Energy Evolution
September 29, 2021
Insight
Riding the ‘hydrogen wave’: A new fuel source for a shipping industry seeking lower emissions

Published by Renewable Energy World, August 2021

Energy Evolution
September 3, 2021
Deals & Cases
Swvl Inc. Announces Business Combination With Queen's Gambit Growth Capital
July 28, 2021