© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(Feb. 21) – King & Spalding announced a significant six-partner lateral move this week to bolster its corporate transactional practice in Houston.
The Atlanta-based firm signed four partners from Andrews Kurth – David Runnels, Darren Inoff, Jason Peters and Cindy Lin – and two from Bracewell – Stuart Zisman and Roxanne Almaraz – to join its 80-plus attorney Houston office.
“It was a unique opportunity to combine the talents of high-quality attorneys from Andrews Kurth and Bracewell with the needs and desires of King & Spalding,” Runnels said.
Though King & Spalding has a “world-class” global energy practice, Runnels says the team of new partners brings expertise in U.S. domestic energy and real estate the firm had been looking for.
“We slotted in perfectly,” said Zisman, who also noted King & Spalding’s commitment to fortifying its Houston presence.
A former member of the management committee at Andrews Kurth, Runnels said he had been trying to recruit Zisman, whom he described as a “good friend and formidable competitor,” to team up with him for several years.
Zisman, who specializes in energy projects in the midstream and downstream sectors, says he is continuing to see an increase in joint ventures and mergers and acquisitions. He indicated he has four pipeline-related deals on his desk.
Runnels focuses his practice on energy, including renewables, and real estate. He notes that clients in the renewable space are looking to move quickly and benefit from tax advantages that may be eliminated in potential tax reform.
Runnels recently worked on NRG’s $1 billion W.A. Parish carbon capture power plant project in southwest Houston.
The other four partners bring additional transactional expertise in private equity, domestic and cross-border finance, venture capital and real estate funds and REITs.
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