W. Andrew Lanius is joining A&O Shearman in its energy, natural resources and infrastructure practice in Houston and will serve as the head of U.S. energy and infrastructure finance. He comes to A&O from Simpson Thacher & Barlett where he was a partner in that firm’s banking and credit practice.
A&O said Lanius has built a strong practice at the intersection of private capital and energy and infrastructure, and he combines strong origination capabilities with an elite execution skillset. Lanius said the opportunity to play a foundational role in the buildout of the Houston office “was extremely compelling.”
“A&O Shearman is ready to make a splash in the Texas market,” Lanius told The Lawbook. “The firm is an 800-pound gorilla in energy and infrastructure globally and is committed to building a strong domestic presence. I was approached by the firm with a ground-floor opportunity to help establish and grow that presence in Houston.”
Lanius joined his prior firm’s Houston office “in its relative nascency as an associate and spent more than a decade helping build it into one of the strongest practices in Texas.”
“It often felt like working at a startup, especially in the early years, with an entrepreneurial spirit and the need to wear many different hats.” Lanius said. “I look forward to bringing that same experience and energy to A&O Shearman’s growth mandate.”
Lanius said his own client-service mandate at A&O is threefold.
“First, I am charged with growing the firm’s presence in private credit and other debt finance transactions involving financial and institutional investors active in the energy and infrastructure sector — many of these investors are based in Texas, with many others located in New York and other financial centers. Second, I will work with A&O Shearman’s substantial base of international energy and infrastructure clientele, who are attracted to investment and strategic opportunities in the U.S. Third, I will collaborate with the other partners in the Texas offices to build a deep pool of Texas-based clients active in the sector.”
Kent Rowey, global co-head of the practice Lanius is joining at A&O Shearman, said his experience in complex energy and infrastructure projects and financings is an excellent match for the firm.
“Amid the ongoing transformation of the energy industry, Andrew’s insight and leadership will be instrumental in helping our clients navigate and deliver the next generation of energy assets,” Rowey said in a release.
Most of the deals Lanius works on are private, and the terms are not disclosed.
“While this can make external marketing more challenging for my practice, it highlights the power and flexibility that private credit and other private capital sources can offer,” Lanius said. “Market participants, both on the borrower and lender side, can structure highly tailored debt investments to fit their specific needs without publicizing the transaction or its terms.”
Bill Nelson, Texas managing partner at A&O Shearman, said the work the firm does in Houston drives opportunities across the global practice.
“Houston is a critical market for our energy and infrastructure clients,” Nelson said. “Andrew brings experience that will immediately benefit clients in Texas and well beyond.”
Lanius said A&O Shearman is at its best when there are cross-jurisdictional teams helping cross-jurisdictional clients make a cross-jurisdictional investment.
“In that regard, I am particularly looking forward to working with the firm’s established international clientele that are seeking to invest domestically. These clients are drawn to our robust economy, stable political and legal system, our way of life and the geopolitical or investment potential that this all brings for them. I am excited to deepen my practice in this area while helping strengthen our American economy in the process.”
Lanius hold’s a bachelor’s in accounting from the University of Colorado, and he earned a JD at the University of Virginia School of Law.