Vinson & Elkins LLP

Vinson & Elkins LLP has ‘exceptional trial lawyers for complex corporate disputes’, and with partners who have ‘a rare combination of savvy, skill, practical judgment and fierce work ethic’. The key lawyers are co-heads of complex commercial litigation Chris Popov in Houston, as well as co-heads of shareholder litigation and enforcement Craig Zieminski in Dallas and Michael Charlson in San Francisco. The firm is best known for its work in the conventional and renewable energy sectors, in which is represents issuers, underwriters, accounting firms, financial institutions, and directors and officers in securities fraud class actions and merger-related litigation. Holmes and Zieminski recently saw the confirmation of its victory at trial in which they represented Energy Transfer Equity, LP in a case concerning the now-terminated $38bn merger between ETE and Williams. Christopher Duffy has left the firm.