International law firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP announced that prominent energy and infrastructure dealmaker Chris Bennett has joined the Firm as a partner in the Corporate Department, based in the Houston office.
“It is a pleasure to welcome Chris as the latest addition to our outstanding energy team. As our clients increasingly focus on opportunities in the energy and infrastructure sectors, we’re committed to expanding our capabilities to better meet their growing needs,” said Weil Executive Partner Barry Wolf.
“Chris’ experience advising on M&A transactions across the upstream and midstream oil and gas markets and related infrastructure projects will be an excellent complement to our energy practice,” said Michael Aiello, Chairman of Weil’s global Corporate Department. “Chris also embodies the spirit of teamwork and camaraderie that is a hallmark of the Weil culture.”
“Chris is an important part of our growing energy practice at Weil. His joining, which follows the addition of Omar Samji last month, strengthens our platform in energy and infrastructure and enhances our ESG, energy transition, sustainability and environmental offerings as well,” said Alfredo Pérez, Managing Partner of Weil’s Houston office. “We’re very excited about the significant experience he brings to Weil.”
Chris advises public and private companies, private equity sponsors and other investors on a wide array of corporate transactions across the energy and infrastructure industries, with a focus on upstream and midstream oil and gas sectors. He counsels clients on high-profile mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and other strategic combinations relating to energy assets and businesses. He also guides stakeholders on the development and negotiation of related partnership, operating, processing and services agreements, in addition to advising on broader corporate governance issues. He also advises on infrastructure projects and M&A adjacent to the energy industry and works with traditional energy companies and investors as they increasingly look to transition their business and reduce carbon emissions.
He joins Weil from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, where he was a partner in that firm’s energy and infrastructure practice, based in Houston.
“Weil has a sterling reputation at the top of the market,” Chris said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to work with some of our industry’s finest dealmakers helping to advise our sophisticated global clients in the dynamic and evolving energy and infrastructure sectors.”
Chris’ hire follows the recent recruitment of fellow energy dealmaker Omar Samji in Houston.