The Texas Lawbook

Free Speech, Due Process and Trial by Jury

More Stories

Eight Oil & Gas General Counsel and Investment Bankers Talk M&A – Or the Sudden Lack Thereof

Since 2009, Texas energy companies and private equity firms have been on the buying or selling side of more than 760 mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures that had a combined deal value of $546 billion. That red hot deal market for upstream companies crashed in Q1 of 2015 when oil and gas M&A plummeted 55 percent.

The Texas Lawbook interviewed eight oil and gas general counsel impacted by the drop in oil prices. The GCs discuss cuts to their legal budget, upcoming redetermination on oil reserves and their expectations for the M&A upstream deal market.

“We’ve been blowing and going for the past several years. We are using this opportunity to step back and take a deep breath,” said RSP Permian GC Jim Mutrie.

Eight Oil & Gas General Counsel and Investment Bankers Talk M&A – Or the Sudden Lack Thereof

Since 2009, Texas energy companies and private equity firms have been on the buying or selling side of more than 760 mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures that had a combined deal value of $546 billion. That red hot deal market for upstream companies crashed in Q1 of 2015 when oil and gas M&A plummeted 55 percent.
The Texas Lawbook interviewed eight oil and gas general counsel impacted by the drop in oil prices. The GCs discuss cuts to their legal budget, upcoming redetermination on oil reserves and their expectations for the M&A upstream deal market.
“We’ve been blowing and going for the past several years. We are using this opportunity to step back and take a deep breath,” said RSP Permian GC Jim Mutrie.

Exclusive: Texas M&A Strong in Q1, Except Oil & Gas Upstream

Texas-based companies continued their aggressive pace of M&A activity during the first three months of 2015. New Mergermarket data shows that nearly every business sector, including healthcare, technology, business services and retail, continued at near record highs in Q1. The huge exception was oil and gas upstream, which is nearly dead except for the few distressed companies selling assets because they have no other option.

By contrast, oil and gas pipeline companies continued their frantic pace of acquiring and divesting assets. Energy Transfer Partners purchased Regency Energy Partners for $18 billion, which is the largest deal so far this year.

The Texas Lawbook provides in-depth coverage.

Exclusive: Texas M&A Strong in Q1, Except Oil & Gas Upstream

Texas-based companies continued their aggressive pace of M&A activity during the first three months of 2015. New Mergermarket data shows that nearly every business sector, including healthcare, technology, business services and retail, continued at near record highs in Q1. The huge exception was oil and gas upstream, which is nearly dead except for the few distressed companies selling assets because they have no other option.
By contrast, oil and gas pipeline companies continued their frantic pace of acquiring and divesting assets. Energy Transfer Partners purchased Regency Energy Partners for $18 billion, which is the largest deal so far this year.
The Texas Lawbook provides in-depth coverage.

Gruber Hurst & Elrod Law Firms Combine

Two prominent Dallas business litigation boutiques – Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank and Elrod – are expected to announce Wednesday that they are merging their law practices.

The combined law firm will boast 30 lawyers, making it one of the largest commercial litigation-only law firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Gruber Hurst & Elrod Law Firms Combine

Two prominent Dallas business litigation boutiques – Gruber Hurst Johansen Hail Shank and Elrod – are expected to announce Wednesday that they are merging their law practices.
The combined law firm will boast 30 lawyers, making it one of the largest commercial litigation-only law firms in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Texas Regulatory Expert Joins V&E

Barry Smitherman has been an investment banker who specializes in the capital markets. He prosecuted domestic violence cases as a lawyer in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. He chaired the Texas Public Utility Commission and the state’s Railroad Commission. Now, he has a new title: partner at Vinson & Elkins.

Texas Regulatory Expert Joins V&E

Barry Smitherman has been an investment banker who specializes in the capital markets. He prosecuted domestic violence cases as a lawyer in the Harris County District Attorney’s office. He chaired the Texas Public Utility Commission and the state’s Railroad Commission. Now, he has a new title: partner at Vinson & Elkins.

© Copyright 2026 The Texas Lawbook
The content on this website is protected under federal Copyright laws. Any use without the consent of The Texas Lawbook is prohibited.