Bracewell got its start in Houston, Texas in 1945. Since then, it has become a market leader in Texas in financial and corporate law. The firm has also opened an additional nine offices in three countries.

In the United States, the firm has locations in Austin, Hartford, Dallas, Houston, New York, San Antonio, Seattle and Washington DC. Bracewell has expanded its reach internationally with offices in Dubai and London.

Focusses / specialisms

The firm is best known in Texas, where it has the most offices and a reputation as a top tier financial and corporate practice. However, it also has a notable New York practice. Oil and gas is a big industry for the firm across all practice areas.

The banking practice firm wide represents borrowers and lenders in DIP loans, credit facility agreements, term loan agreements, rescue financing, refinancing, trade receivable securitization facilities and project finance.

The capital markets team represents issuers and underwriters in corporate bond issuances, mortgage bond issuances, green bond issuances private share placements and public share offerings.

In M&A, the firm advised strategic acquirers and sellers in joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions. It also represents private equity firms in acquisition and investment matters.

The restructuring and insolvency team advises administrative agents and debtors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring cases. It also advises clients in out of court restructuring settlements.

Key clients

Key clients for the firm include Kinder Morgan, Wells Fargo, MUFG Union Bank, Apache, Altus Midstream, Evercore, Prosperity Bancshares, Western Gas Partners, Global Infrastructure Partners, Crédit Agricole, Energy & Exploration Partners and ENI Petroleum.

Research period review: 30th edition (2019/2020)

During the research period, the banking team represented a mix of borrowers and lenders in revolving credit facilities mainly.

The capital markets team represented mostly issuers in corporate bond issuances, but also dealt with other types of bond issuances. On the equity side, the team advised clients in public and private share offerings.

In M&A, the team represented a mix of strategic buyers and sellers in mergers and acquisitions. It also represented a fair amount of private equity firms in acquisitions and investments.

The restructuring and insolvency team largely represented debtors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy and restructuring cases, although it did also advise in out of court restructurings. Most of the matters the firm worked on across all practice areas were in the in oil and gas industry.

In terms of lateral moves, the capital markets team brought on partners Catherine Hood, Todd Eckland and of counsel J Anthony Terrell from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman. All three are based in the New York office. The restructuring and insolvency team lost partners Kurt Mayr, Jennifer Feldsher and of counsel David Lawton to Morgan Lewis. All three were based in the New York office. In Texas, the real estate team lost Alfred Kyle who left for Reed Smith. 

Deal highlights: 30th edition (2019/2020)

Apache double tranche $1 billion 4.25% and 5.35% bond offering

Energy & Exploration Partners Chapter 11 restructuring

Kinder Morgan $4.5 billion revolving credit facility

McDermott International Chapter 11 restructuring 

Pembina Pipeline $1.546 billion acquisition of the US portion of the Cochin Pipeline

Prosperity Bank / LegacyTexas Financial Group merger