Paul Hastings Grows Energy Practice With Baker McKenzie Partners

Paul Hastings is expanding its infrastructure and energy practice with two new partners at the firm’s Houston office, reflecting Big Law’s growing interest in Texas.

Luis Fernando Gomar and Rocio Guadalupe Mendoza joined the firm from Baker McKenzie, Paul Hastings announced Friday. The pair have experience in domestic and international energy transactions in the U.S. and Latin America.

Their hiring reflects Paul Hastings’ focus on energy work, with clients including PG&E Corp., Baker Hughes Co., Bechtel Corp., and Vanguard Natural Resources LLC, according to the firm’s website and a review of court dockets. Paul Hastings reported more than $1.3 billion in gross revenue last year.

The firm in June started its energy transition and infrastructure team, bringing together lawyers with experience in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, finance and regulatory issues.

“With deep experience in traditional energy projects and renewables in the U.S. and Latin America, Luis and Rocio are valuable additions,” said Seth Zachary, chairman of Paul Hastings, in a statement.

Gomar has advised clients on energy transactions, asset acquisitions and divestitures, fund formations, joint ventures, project development and structured finance. He also has represented clients on expansion and investment opportunities in the U.S. and Latin America, according to the statement.

Mendoza works with upstream oil and gas and midstream clients regarding onshore and off-shore resources, the statement said. She also advised sponsors on renewable energy projects and domestic and international energy-related transactions.

Paul Hastings lost Douglas Gedden, its Houston corporate department chair, to Baker Botts in May. Gedden had spent seven years at the firm, focusing on work with exploration and production companies, upstream and midstream businesses and the oil field services sector.