Vinson & Elkins announced Tuesday that Houston labor and employment partner Rebecca Baker, who previously chaired the L&E practice at Bracewell, has joined the firm along with New York executive compensation experts from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.
Baker represents employers in employee hiring and termination, investigations, structuring and litigating non-competition and non-solicitation agreements and provides counsel on sensitive employee matters and day-to-day employment issues.
“I have worked across from Becky and [have] long been impressed by her insight and practical approach in finding solutions to complex matters,” Sean Becker, head of V&E’s labor and employment practice, said in a statement. “She has a well-deserved reputation for excellence.”
Past litigation clients of Baker’s include Schlumberger, EOG Resources and Green Bank, NA. She was on the Bracewell deal team that advised Kinder Morgan in July on the purchase of three landfill assets from Mas CanAm for $355 million.
In 2021, Baker provided labor and employment counsel on the deal teams that guided Allegiance Bank in its merger with CommunityBank of Texas, Texas Citizens Bank in its sale to Business First Bancshares and Howard Energy Partners’ acquisition of Javelina Refinery.
The executive compensation partners departing Simpson Thacher for V&E are Patricia Adams and Joo Hyun Lee.
“Our practice is experiencing an increase in demand as companies across all industries are looking for trusted advice on complex compensation questions,” David D’Alessandro, head of V&E’s executive compensation and benefits practice, said in the announcement.
“Patricia and Joo are highly respected, seasoned attorneys who are well versed in both public company and private equity backed company matters. In particular, they have proven insights into issues arising in complex transactions along with experience regarding advanced tax and securities issues, which squarely aligns with our focus on counseling corporate clients in all aspects of their compensation and benefits needs.”