Andrews Kurth Appoints 8 New Partners for 2012 [Professional Services Close – Up]

Andrews Kurth announced the election of eight of its lawyers to the partnership. Jon W. Daly, Richard D. Deutsch, Tanya A. Fischer, R. Casey Low, Philip H. Peacock, Cameron P. Pope, Kelly Sandill and George J. Vlahakos will assume their new positions on January 1, 2012.

"The addition of this new group of partners strengthens our ability to offer great service and value to our clients every day," said Bob Jewell, Managing Partner. "Their election to the partnership is a reflection of the firm's commitment to excellence."

Daly s principal area of practice is corporate and securities law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions and the representation of issuers and investment banks in connection with public and private offerings of equity and debt securities. He also advises companies on corporate governance matters, periodic reporting and other requirements of the federal securities laws, the New York Stock Exchange, the NASDAQ Stock Market and other exchange rules. Daly recently represented an exploration and production master limited partnership in connection with its $178 million initial public offering. He also recently represented the underwriters in connection with a $3.2 billion initial public offering of an energy transportation and storage company, which ranked as the second largest energy IPO in U.S. history at the time.

Deutsch focuses his practice in litigation and international arbitration. He has experience representing clients in energy, construction, mining, telecommunications and food products-related arbitrations administered by or under the rules of the ICSID Convention, AAA (ICDR), ICC, and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, as well as ad-hoc proceedings under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Recently, Deutsch has been involved in the representation of a major European energy company in an international arbitration under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act 1990 (Nigeria), and in related federal proceedings, and has been advising clients with issues arising out of West and North Africa. He was recognized as a Rising Star in International Law by Texas Monthly Magazine (2011).

Fischer practices in the public finance area and her practice includes serving as bond counsel, disclosure counsel, trustee's counsel and underwriters' counsel in bond transactions for school districts, hospital districts, charter schools, junior college districts, cities, counties and state agencies throughout Texas. She recently served as counsel to a syndicate of underwriters in their purchase of approximately $100 million in tax-exempt bonds issued by a large Texas county and also represented a national underwriting firm in the purchase and sale of $35 million of revenue bonds issued for the construction of new hospital facilities. Fischer also has experience representing domestic and foreign commercial banks providing credit and liquidity facilities for tax-exempt and taxable financings in Texas and throughout the nation. Earlier in 2011, Tanya closed an innovative bond insurance "wrap" financing where she served as counsel to three banks providing letters of credit in connection with $250 million of tax-exempt bonds issued by a Texas city.

Low's practice involves both trial and appellate litigation concerning complex commercial disputes. Low has handled cases in federal and state trial and appellate courts, involving an array of claims on behalf of clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies and foreign corporations to local individuals and start-ups, spanning industries such as oil and gas, energy, health care, biotechnology, internet trade and commerce, aviation, hospitality, art and cultural property, financial services, and real estate. Low's focus has often involved companies that have gone through internal struggles, such as partnership disputes or disputes with shareholders, or that have been defamed or been the target of business disparagement, tortious interference with contracts or business relations, or antitrust violations by competitors.

Peacock's practice covers corporate and securities matters with an emphasis on securities offerings, in which he has represented both issuers and underwriters, and mergers and acquisitions. He has particular experience with master limited partnerships. Philip also advises clients in connection with SEC reporting and general corporate governance and compliance matters, including compliance with NYSE, NASDAQ and other exchange rules. Peacock recently represented two publicly-traded master limited partnerships in their joint $1.925 billion acquisition of midstream energy assets. He also recently represented an Argentine energy company in its acquisition of midstream and downstream assets in Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, and represented the initial purchasers in a private placement of $400 million of high-yield notes by Oasis Petroleum Inc.

Pope's practice includes all aspects of state and federal litigation in complex commercial matters, with an emphasis on appeals, post-verdict motions, supersedeas bonds, post-judgment procedures, summary judgments, motions for directed verdict and jury charges. He was part of a team which recently obtained reversal and rendition from the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit in an appeal from a $100 million jury verdict in a premises liability case.

Sandill focuses on the representation of energy and aviation sector clients and governmental entities in complex federal and state litigation at both the trial and appellate levels. She has successfully represented clients in a range of matters, including securities litigation, oil and gas proceedings, contract disputes, commercial fraud actions, fiduciary duty cases, aviation litigation, and civil rights actions. Sandill also maintains a white collar criminal defense practice and has represented individuals and businesses in connection with federal and state criminal proceedings and government investigations. Her recent successes include trial and appellate victories for a major Texas municipality in an action to validate increases in water and sewer service rates, as well as obtaining dismissal of litigation brought against an oil and gas producer for alleged conspiracy and racketeering related to the acquisition of oil and gas leases.

Vlahakos's practice covers corporate and securities matters with an emphasis on registered securities offerings, private placements (including transactions with Rule 144A resale components) and mergers and acquisitions--largely in the energy and natural resources industries. He also regularly counsels companies in connection with periodic reporting, insider/ownership reporting and corporate governance issues, and assists underwriters in offering- related FINRA compliance matters.

More Information:

www.andrewskurth.com

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