Brett M. Santoli

Partner

Finance

“I have a broad base of experience in the finance area — there’s very little I haven’t seen and done. I draw on that experience when structuring deals for my clients to think through complicated problems and anticipate variables and outcomes.”

Brett M. Santoli Profile Picture

Overview

Brett Santoli represents borrowers and lenders in complex domestic and cross-border financings in an array of industries. In the energy space, he advises upstream and midstream oil and gas companies, power generation and transmissions businesses and oilfield services firms. He has also structured deals involving maritime firms, restaurant franchises, airlines, mining companies, agribusiness firms, gaming companies, insurance firms, broadcasters, publishers and sports businesses. In addition to his U.S.-based work, he has handled numerous matters in Europe and South America.

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Experience

  • An issuer in a $1.061 billion private placement to finance a cross border pipeline (2014 IJGlobal North America Project Bond Deal of the Year)

  • An offshore drilling company in a $1.25 billion Term Loan B and super-priority revolving facilities (Marine Money Offshore 2013 Refinancing Deal of the Year)

  • A borrower in the development and bridge financing of an approximately $5 billion natural gas pipeline

  • A borrower in $1 billion project financing of two ultra-deepwater drillships

  • A borrower in the project financing of a $250 million sugar cane ethanol plantation and port facility in Peru (Project Finance Magazine 2010 Latin American Biofuels Deal of the Year)

  • A major quick-serve restaurant franchisor in a $950 million minority recapitalization transaction

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Credentials

Education

  • Cornell Law School, J.D. with specialization in International Legal Affairs, 1998
  • Colby College, B.A., Government and Classical Civilization magna cum laude, 1995

Admissions

  • New York

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Recognitions

  • Legal 500 U.S., Energy: Renewable/Alternative, 2017; Project Finance, 2013 and 2014; Finance: Commercial Lending, 2019–2024
  • Selected to the New York Rising Stars list, Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), 2013
  • IFLR1000, 2020–2023
  • Selected to the 500 Leading Energy Lawyers, Lawdragon, 2023–2026
News & Achievements

Deals & Cases

Chiron Real Estate Establishes Up to $150 Million Uncommitted Senior Note Facility with New York Life

Vinson & Elkins advised Chiron Real Estate LP, as issuer, and Chiron Real Estate Inc., as guarantor, in connection with …

March 6, 2026

March 6, 2026 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Antero Resources Announces Pricing of $750 Million Offering of Senior Notes

Vinson & Elkins advised Antero Resources Corporation in connection with an underwritten public offering of $750 million in aggregate principal …

January 14, 2026

January 14, 2026 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Antero Midstream Announces Pricing of Upsized $600 Million Offering of Senior Notes

Vinson & Elkins advised Antero Midstream Corporation in connection with an upsized private placement of $600 million in aggregate principal …

December 11, 2025

December 11, 2025 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Vinson & Elkins Advises Antero Resources and Antero Midstream in $3.9 Billion Acquisition of HG Energy II Upstream and Midstream Assets

Vinson & Elkins also advised Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE: AR) (“Antero Resources”) and Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE: AM) (“Antero Midstream”) in connection with the entry into a definitive agreement to acquire all of HG Energy II, LLC’s upstream and midstream assets, respectively, for a combined $3.9 billion in cash (subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments).

December 8, 2025

December 8, 2025 • 1-minute read

Deals & Cases

Vinson & Elkins Advises Antero Resources Corporation and Antero Midstream Corporation in Strategic Upstream and Midstream Transactions

Vinson & Elkins advised Antero Resources Corporation (NYSE: AR) (“Antero Resources”) and Antero Midstream Corporation (NYSE: AM) (“Antero Midstream”) in connection with the entry into definitive agreements to sell Antero Resources’ Ohio Utica Shale upstream assets and Antero Midstream’s Ohio Utica Shale gathering, compression and water assets for a combined $1.2 billion in cash (subject to customary closing conditions and adjustments).

December 8, 2025

December 8, 2025 • 1-minute read