Mr James Davidson > Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP has a major focus on consumer products and retail, energy, power, utilities and REITs. It has an exceptional record in equity-linked, US investment grade corporate bonds and US corporate bonds, especially where it is acting for managers. Energy remains its primary sector, while the power and utilities group acts as either issuer or underwriter counsel for more than 60 power and utilities holding companies. Houston partner James Davidson is rated for convertible debt and investment grade debt offerings, and is known for his expertise in the REITs sector. Michael Fitzpatrick, Steven Friend and Peter O’Brien are also key partners. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP is a major player in debt offerings, which has provided a platform for a growing equity offerings practice. The capital markets team is especially committed to REITs, energy, power and utilities, and consumer products and retail. It has close links to issuers and underwriters, gaining particular accolades for underwriter-side representation. Follow-on offerings and at-the-market programs have been a recent feature of the practice. Houston partner James Davidson is at the forefront of REIT IPOs, with New York’s Michael Fitzpatrick, Peter O’Brien and Steven Friend noted for energy, power and utilities deals. Washington DC-based Robert Smith is highly rated for REIT offerings.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s real estate capital markets, tax, and M&A practices all work seamlessly together to assist its largely publicly-traded REIT client base with real estate capital market transactions, M&As, and IPOs. The firm has expanded its reach to include equity and debt transactions where it acts as both issuer’s and underwriter’s counsel. It is particularly strong in representing public REITs as underwriters counsel and is well-versed in mortgage securitization for mortgage REITs. Robert Smith  leads the real estate capital markets side from Washington DC and is an expert on public REIT transactions, including corporate and securities matters. Kendal Sibley co-leads the practice from Richmond and is an expert in federal tax issues involving equity and mortgage REITs. In Houston, James Davidson advises issuers and underwriters on IPOs, while Kate Saltz is the go-to for corporate finance-related REITs issues over in Richmond.