HOUSTON – Winston & Strawn LLP is pleased to announce the addition of distinguished capital markets and M&A lawyers Eric Johnson and Michael Blankenship as partners in the firm’s Houston office. Eric and Mike bring to the firm more than 30 years of experience advising public and private companies and private equity investors and their portfolio companies on a wide range of corporate matters in the oil and gas industry.

Eric concentrates his practice on M&A and capital markets transactions for public and private companies in the energy industry, primarily in the midstream and oil field services sector. Mike advises public and private companies and private equity investors in the upstream, midstream, and oil field services sectors on securities law matters and M&A. Prior to joining Winston, Eric and Mike served as co-chairs of Locke Lord’s global Capital Markets practice.

“Following the 2019 arrival of top energy deal maker Jimmy Vallee, the addition of Eric and Mike to the Houston corporate group is another key milestone for our transactions practice in Texas and across the U.S. and represents a considerable shift in the Houston legal landscape. Their arrival further positions us to advise our clients through the full scope of energy transactions,” said Houston Managing Partner Doug Atnipp.

“It is an interesting time for clients in the energy sector, with significant opportunities for consolidation and growth,” said Eric. “The Winston platform, and the depth and breadth of the experience and expertise of its lawyers, will enable our clients on public company boards, in c-suites, and at private equity firms to navigate changes and opportunities in the market with the highest level of confidence, and we are both excited to join this team,” Mike added.

“Houston is the energy capital of the world,” said Winston Chairman Tom Fitzgerald. “Eric’s and Mike’s leadership and experience complement our teams here and around the globe, providing oil and gas clients with the full scope of legal services, including in capital markets and M&A. We are extremely pleased that they have joined us and know that our clients will benefit greatly from this addition to our team.”

Over the last three years, Winston has grown its Texas footprint by more than 220%, with the addition of 93 experienced attorneys in Houston and Dallas, creating a team with unrivaled depth and breadth of capabilities across the full spectrum of corporate and litigation services.

In 2019, Winston & Strawn’s in-house eDiscovery & Information Governance Practice – one of the largest and most experienced in the United States – opened the state-of-the-art Winston & Strawn Legal Innovation Center in Houston’s energy corridor, representing an ongoing investment in the innovative technologies, people, and processes necessary for success in today’s data-centric world.