Chambers & Partners USA

According to Chambers & Partners 2011:

Banking & Finance: Texas

THE FIRM This group is best known for its focus on energy-related finance matters, but has significant experience in advising both borrowers and lenders in project finance, structured finance and syndicated lending. Working alongside a strong bankruptcy practice, the team is well equipped to deal with the restructurings and related issues arising from the current economic climate. Its impressive client list includes Bank of America, RBS and UBS Securities.

Sources say: "This large Houston firm has provided some wonderfully creative solutions to our problems."

KEY INDIVIDUALS William Hayes provides senior counsel on transactional work, giving guidance on complex arrangements. His peers describe him as "a terrific lawyer." Dewey Gonsoulin earns acclaim as an upstream expert, overseeing credit facilities relating to energy exploration and production. According to peers, he is an "outstanding lawyer – very smart and very good to work with." Catherine Ozdogan is best known for midstream and downstream transactions, and for financing offshore drilling platforms. She recently represented Citi and Barclays Capital as co-lead arranger, bookrunner and underwriter of a fully underwritten $1.75 billion three-year unsecured revolving credit facility. Heather Brown works closely with the bankruptcy team, handling oil and gas financings in addition to other structured deals requiring tax and regulatory expertise. Interviewees were quick to comment on her business acumen and efficiency. Mark Evans now acts as a managing partner, but has kept up his finance practice and relationships with clients such as Société Générale, BNP Paribas and Crédit Agricole. Peers suggest that "the incredible sophistication of Bracewell's practice is largely due to Mark Evans." Alan Rafte heads the energy and finance practices. He represents utilities, financial institutions and commodity traders in transactions involving upstream oil and gas projects, electric utilities and energy commodity trading with regard to structured, leveraged and project finance. Stephanie Song recently represented Wells Fargo Bank and Wells Fargo Securities in connection with a senior secured revolving borrowing base credit facility for Alta Mesa Holdings. Clients comment that "she needs no hand-holding, offers unbelievably quick responses and shows fantastic commitment to the deal in question."