Vinson & Elkins Bolsters Energy Transactions Practice with Addition of Bryan Loocke as Partner

HOUSTON, July 30, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Experienced oil and gas transactional lawyer Bryan Loocke has joined Vinson & Elkins as a partner in its Energy Transactions practice, where he will advise both corporate and private equity clients in the energy sector. He is based in the firm's Houston office.

Loocke comes to V&E from Bracewell & Giuliani LLP, where he focused on oil and gas financing matters, representing private equity funds, purchasers, sellers, borrowers, lenders, developers and exploration and production companies in all aspects of upstream and midstream oil and gas transactions.

"Bryan is not only a standout corporate lawyer, he's also a great fit with our firm culturally, putting a high priority on client service and developing strong relationships," said V&E Chairman Mark Kelly. "He is exactly the type of lateral hire that we look for, and he will help shape the future of our energy transactions practice."

With a particular focus on unconventional and shale oil and gas, Gulf of Mexico and joint venture transactions, Loocke advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, sales, farmouts, operating agreements, gathering and transportation agreements, rig procurement, engineering, procurement and construction, leasing, exploration, production and development and production payments.

"As the number of private equity firms and credit funds investing in the oil and gas space grows, opportunities to build my client base have also increased," Loocke said. "With its global reach and robust bench, V&E is the perfect place for me to take the next step in my career."

Loocke's recent matters include the representation of a large independent oil and gas company in connection with the multi-billion dollar merger and acquisition of a publically-held oil and gas company with properties located in the Eagle Ford Shale and Permian Basin; advising a private equity fund in connection with the purchase of oil and gas assets located in the Bakken Shale; and counseling a privately-held oil and gas company in connection with the sale of oil and gas assets located in the Permian Basin.

"Many of us here at V&E have had the opportunity to work across the table from Bryan, and we are extremely happy that he's now on our team," said John B. Connally, co-head of the firm's Energy Transactions/Projects practice. "He has strong ties with a number of private equity firms and will be a great asset in helping us broaden our relationships with these and other corporate clients."

Loocke received his J.D. degree from the University of Texas School of Law and holds a bachelor's degree, summa cum laude, from St. Edward's University.

Vinson & Elkins' Energy Practice has been recognized by Law360 as a Practice Group of the Year each year since the series launched in 2011, and is the only nationwide recipient of five consecutive wins in the energy category. The firm is also a three-time winner of Chambers USA's "Award for Excellence" in Energy Projects: Oil & Gas, including consecutive wins in 2013-14.

Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. For more information, please contact Melissa Anderson at +1.713.758.2030.

Vinson & Elkins
1001 Fannin Street, Suite 2500
Houston, TX 77002-6760
+1.713.758.2222
www.velaw.com

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SOURCE Vinson & Elkins LLP

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