Shearman & Sterling is delighted to announce that partners Bill Nelson and Kristina Trauger join the firm today along with counsel Judy Little and John Menke. The team will be based in the firm’s Houston, Texas office.
Bill and Kristina 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.”
Hugh Tucker, Head of Shearman & Sterling’s Texas practice: “The team’s proven track record in capital markets and M&A in the oil and gas sector as well as other industries complements our existing oil and gas transactional team to provide our clients with further market-leading capabilities. We are thrilled to have the team join Shearman & Sterling.”
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. Hugh Tucker continues to lead our Texas practice with Sarah McLean as Deputy, and Matt Lyons as Head of the Austin 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.
Kristina Trauger focuses on capital markets work involving oil and gas, energy, technology, retail and healthcare companies. She has particular experience in the representation of issuers and underwriters in connection with public and private securities offerings, including initial and secondary public offerings, private placements, SPACs and bond offerings. She is also experienced in representing publicly traded and privately held companies, investment banks and investors in a wide range of corporate and M&A transactions. Kristina earned her JD/MBA from Seton Hall University in 2004 and her BA from Messiah College in 2000.
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.
