Latham and V&E Lead $1.8 billion Propane Deal

By Mark Curriden New Jersey-based Suburban Propane Partners announced Thursday that it is purchasing the retail propane operations of Kansas-based Inergy for $1.8 billion. But the two companies turned to the expertise of energy lawyers in Texas to handle the transaction. Latham & Watkins corporate partner Sean Wheeler in Houston is advising Suburban. Vinson & Elkins capital markets partner Gillian Hobson of Houston represents Inergy. This transaction, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter, doubles Suburban’s customer base and make it one of the top propane retailers in the United States. According to Reuters, the Suburban – Inergy…