No corporate general counsel in the history of the Texas power industry has been involved in more multibillion-dollar deals or guided companies through as many business-threatening crises as Andrew Wright. He played a lead role in 2007 when private equity bought energy giant TXU for $45 billion. He co-led Energy Future Holdings through the eighth largest bankruptcy in the U.S. and co-led the subsequent spin-offs of Vistra Energy and the $18.8 billion Oncor sale.
Wright is now the GC at Talen Energy, where he is once again handling groundbreaking deals, dealing with the litigation aftermath of Winter Storm Uri and helping navigate his company through significant energy market challenges. Wright is also the 2022 Houston Corporate Counsel Award recipient for General Counsel of the Year for a Midsized Legal Department.
For Mark Curriden’s full profile of Andy Wright Click Here.
The Texas Lawbook: What are one or two life-impacting experiences you’ve had?
Andy Wright: Birth of children ― realizing that someone else was totally dependent on me.
Lawbook: You have been in-house for 17 years. How has the job or role of in-house changed in those years?
Wright: I don’t know if the role has changed, but I know I’m a much better lawyer today than 17 years ago. Successful in-house lawyers are lawyers first but business people a very close second. They tell you what they think you should do, not just lay out the options.
Lawbook: What do you see as the most important legal and business issues facing corporate legal departments such as yours in the year or two ahead?
Wright: How do we transition to life back in the office? What is the new “normal”? I don’t think it will be the same as before we left.
Lawbook: What do you look for in hiring outside counsel?
Wright: I want someone to be my partner and tell me honestly what they think (whether it is a legal or business issue). I want them to help me see around corners. I want to deal with “good people” (we don’t have time for drama or jerks).
Lawbook: What are your pet peeves regarding outside counsel?
Wright: Not calling me back or being responsive.
Lawbook: What does outside counsel need to know about you?
Wright: I will have their back if they have mine.
Lawbook: How important is diversity in your hiring of outside counsel? Have you ever fired a law firm for its lack of diversity or would you under what conditions?
Wright: It is important. I want different viewpoints at the table. Different viewpoints equal best outcome. I’ve never fired a law firm for lack of diversity, but I’ve stressed to many that I expect different viewpoints on the team.