Shearman & Sterling is delighted to announce that partner Bill Nelson joined the firm today along with counsel Judy Little and John Menke. The team will be based in the firm’s Houston, Texas office.
Bill will be responsible for establishing the Capital Markets practice in Houston, supported by Judy and John. Together, they bring their extensive experience advising on both debt and equity capital markets transactions for issuers and underwriters in the oil and gas industry, among others. The team complements the existing Houston team that is already advising clients on a full range of mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and project-related work across the oil and gas spectrum.
“We’re excited to add the team’s capital markets experience to our already stellar team in Houston,” said David Beveridge, Shearman & Sterling’s Senior Partner. “Our clients and other market participants have signaled a strong desire to tap into that capital markets expertise on the ground in Texas. The team brings a demonstrated track record of securities offerings, significantly expanding our full service offering in Houston. Their arrival marks the continuation of our expansion in Texas and further advances our growth plans in the United States.”
Shearman & Sterling opened an office in Houston with six partners in May 2018 – its second Texas office following its Austin office opening in March 2018. The Houston-based team significantly expands the firm’s existing global energy capabilities with a focus on oil and gas transactions and projects. Their arrival complements the firm’s existing highly regarded global energy group, particularly in Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Latin America.
Bill Nelson, a former member of the Board of Directors and Co-Chair of the Capital Markets practice at Haynes and Boone, will lead our Houston office.
About the New Houston Team
Bill Nelson focuses his practice on public offerings, private placements and cross-border securities offerings. Bill’s clients include domestic and foreign oil and gas exploration and production companies; oilfield services companies; private equity firms and their portfolio companies; insurance companies; restaurants/hospitality companies; and investment banks. Bill earned his JD and BA from the University of Texas in 1997 and 1992, respectively, and earned his MA from Brown University in 1994.
Judy Little focuses her practice on corporate finance, securities law, mergers and acquisitions, and SEC disclosure and reporting requirements. Her experience includes advising both public and private companies in the energy industry on mergers, stock purchases and asset purchases; issuers and investment banks on domestic and foreign public offerings; and issuers on private placements. Judy earned her JD from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1990 and her BA from the University of Virginia in 1987.
John Menke focuses his practice on corporate securities transactions, including public and private offerings of debt and equity securities; securities laws compliance; corporate governance; mergers and acquisitions; and monetization transactions. John earned his JD from the University of Texas School of Law in 1985 and his BBA from the University of Texas in 1982.
