The Texas Lawbook caught up with Devika Kornbacher last month when she left V&E after 15 years to join Clifford Chance as co-chair of the firm’s global technology group. In this interview, she talks about her upbringing, her time in the ministry and engineering, what inspired her to be a lawyer, what her mentor taught her and what she plans to accomplish at her new firm.
CDT Roundup: 21 Deals, 12 Firms, 320 Lawyers, $8.3B
A whopping 320 lawyers worked on deals reported during the last week. Among them was Justin Stolte who, along with other Latham lawyers has been on a roll of late. The CDT Roundup features a couple of his recent deals, along with a cinematic sweep of lawyers who advised during what turned out to be a very busy week.
CDT Roundup: 15 Deals, 10 Firms, 126 Lawyers, $20B
Climate change pressures on utilities and their resources may have long-term significance for investors; but they also represent shorter-term opportunities, even in a complicated investment environment. For example, there were four major upstream/midstream energy deals last week — including the three largest transactions — that accounted for more than $15 billion and were led by Texas-based lawyers. Claire Poole has the rationale for near-term optimism, along with the Roundup’s usual review of all of last week’s reported transactions.
Texas Capital Bank Sheds Insurance Premium Finance Unit to Truist for $3.4B
The move is part of Dallas-based Texas Capital’s strategy to re-focus its capital and expenses for the creation of a full-service financial services firm in the state. Texas Capital CLO Anna Alvarado tapped Cravath to guide it through the deal while Truist turned to lawyers at Willkie.
CDT Roundup: 9 Deals, 9 Firms, 62 Lawyers, $2.3B
Sure, oil and gas transactions are still a big deal in the Texas deal markets. But starting just a few years ago, other business sectors are beginning to make their presence felt in the Lone Star State. Peruse the deals in this week’s CDT Roundup and note the rising role of technology. The Lawbook’s Claire Poole has a few observations on the trend, along with the names of last week’s dealmakers.
V&E Counsels Brigham Minerals on $4.8B Stock Merger with Sitio
The combination would create a leader in the oil and gas mineral and royalty sector. Claire Poole has the details of the deal and the names of the lawyers involved.
CDT Roundup: 16 Deals, 10 Firms, 135 Lawyers, $30.9B
In a market when billion-dollar deals seem as elusive as $3 gasoline, a $30 billion deal would seem a game-changer. There was such a deal this week, but not in the way you might expect. The CDT Roundup explains, along with the usual list of Texas lawyers who made things happen.
CDT Roundup: 12 Deals, 8 Firms, 152 Lawyers, $2B
If you need some perspective on the wild swings in the oil and gas industry over the past few years, look no further than Plano-based Denbury Resources. Denbury, which sought bankruptcy protection just a few years ago, is suddenly looking prosperous enough to be scouting for a viable suitor, according to Bloomberg. Claire Poole reports on the Denbury rebound, as well as a slate of a dozen deals reported to the Roundup last week.
Cynthia Mabry Leaves Akin for Gibson Dunn
Mabry was the co-lead of the climate change group at Akin Gump, where she made partner in 2020. She is the fourth corporate lateral partner hire Gibson Dunn has made in Texas this year.
CDT Roundup: 18 Deals, 11 Firms, 242 Lawyers, $8B
In the first half of 2022, capital markets transactions reported by Texas lawyers were noticeable in their absence; but apparently, no more. What began as a summer in languish has heated up over the past few weeks. The Texas numbers mirror the broader market, according to a report by Enverus last week. The CDT Roundup has its own observations, as well as the usual listing of the recent deals Texas lawyers have been working on.