Today marks the formal launch of Bracewell & Giuliani LLP’s new public finance practice, with the addition of 24 attorneys, formerly of Vinson & Elkins LLP.
The group, which will serve to further enhance Bracewell’s Chambers and Partners recognized finance practice, brings strengths in municipal securities, finance, project finance, and tax, all of which will enhance the firm’s existing platform.
“This is an exciting time for Bracewell,” said Managing Partner, Mark C. Roberts. “We have wanted to add a public finance practice for quite some time and we are thrilled to have the group joining us today. I am confident they are going to be a great fit for the firm and our clients and that our existing services will be appealing to their client base,” added Roberts.
The attorneys will join Bracewell in its Houston, Austin, Dallas, San Antonio, and Washington, D.C. offices.
Houston – Partners Charles L. Almond, Cristy C. Edwards, Jonathan Kelly Frels, Steven H. Gerdes, R. Todd Greenwalt, and Barron F. Wallace; Senior Counsel Clark Stockton Lord; Associates Peggy B. Christman, Shawn W. Cloonan, Amanda K. Edwards, and Katherine R. Milton
Austin – Partners Elizabeth Rippy Bowes, W. Glenn Opel (with a dual office in San Antonio) and Victoria N. Ozimek; Senior Counsel Tim J. Deithloff; Counsel Gail Weatherby
Dallas – Partners Ben A. Brooks III, Robert R. Collins, III, Jonathan C. Leatherberry, and George G. Rodriguez; Senior Counsel Ray Hutchison; Counsel Julie M. Partain; Associate Glenwood F. Hill, II
Washington, D.C. – Paul S. Maco
“We are excited to be joining the Bracewell family,” said Ben A. Brooks III, public finance practice lead. “We look forward to building the public finance platform here, providing enhanced services to our existing clients, and making ourselves available to help serve Bracewell’s institutional clients,” added Brooks. In addition to Brooks, the practice group will be led in Houston by Barron F. Wallace and in Austin/San Antonio by W. Glenn Opel.
“The opportunity to expand in the San Antonio market is particularly appealing to us,” said W. Glenn Opel. “We have been looking to grow our practice for some time and the Bracewell platform, including its nationally recognized finance practice, is going to be a great asset,” Barron F. Wallace.
The public finance group serves as bond counsel for issuers in Texas and the southwest and represents underwriters, trustees, third-party credit providers, and borrowers in conduit financings. Their clients include major airport systems, public transit, universities, health care systems, municipalities, school districts, toll roads, infrastructure projects, and water authorities. They have also represented many national and regional securities firms in regulatory, enforcement and conflict dispute matters related to tax-exempt securities. In addition, they are well-known participants in the legislative and regulatory process as it impacts public finance issues in both Austin and Washington, D.C.
