Former Baker McKenzie Energy Transactions Leader Jumps to McDermott

McDermott Will & Emery has made another splash in Houston this year with the addition of Houston energy deal partner Denmon Sigler.

The former Baker McKenzie North American energy transaction practice chair pointed to McDermott’s recent growth in Houston – the office has added eight lawyers this year – and “distinct experience” in the renewable space as influential in her decision to move.

“McDermott has a phenomenal, growing platform in the energy sector,” said Sigler, who also held leadership positions at Baker McKenzie related to the firm’s diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. “It has the full complement of practice areas and expertise for my clients as we navigate the energy transition.”

Sigler has worked across two of McDermott’s 2021 partner hires, former co-chair of DLA Piper’s U.S. Energy practice Jack Langlois and ex-Akin Gump partner Andy Lehman. She also had a relationship with the Washington, D.C. energy regulatory experts that joined McDermott from King & Spalding in 2020.

One of the most significant deals Sigler recently led was Houston chemical company Kraton’s sale of its Cariflex business unit to Korea’s Daelim Industrial Co. Ltd. for $530 million. The transaction closed in March 2020.

Sigler also guided Valero Marketing and Supply de México, S.A. de C.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Valero Energy Corporation, on its entry into several joint ventures to develop midstream assets in Mexico.

The increased investment in wind, solar, hydrogen and other new energies has made it an exciting time to be an energy transactions lawyer, Sigler says. She is paying close attention to the regulatory developments coming from the Biden administration and Europe, with a particular focus on incentives for low interest money for larger scale projects and rules relating to carbon capture and carbon reporting.

Sigler also notes that she is seeing companies that are large consumers of energy, like Amazon and Walmart, looking into the same issues as energy companies. And this trend feeds into another area where she believes McDermott has a lot of talent and infrastructure – power purchase agreements.

McDermott is Sigler’s third move since starting her career at Baker Botts and practicing there for 15 years. The former professional harpist was at Winston & Strawn prior to Baker McKenzie.

Sigler, who has performed with the Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera, says her training as a musician has translated well into the practice of law.

“As a performer, you are working as part of a team. Instilling that team and collective mindset has been very helpful to navigating my legal career. There’s also the many, many, many hours of practice that prepare you for the long hours and dedication that you see among lawyers at top firms. You get very comfortable performing in front of people and interacting with strangers so I do think it helps build your confidence and go in to new environments and be yourself.

“Plus, having a creative outlet is really important because it helps you keep your mind fresh and relieve stress which in turn helps your clients.”