Amber James joined Underwood as shareholder and focuses her practice on commercial litigation and business transactions representing clients in all industries. James was a shareholder with Atkins Hollmann Jones Peacock Lewis & Lyon.

Carl von Merz joined Bracewell’s energy practice as partner. Von Merz focuses on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and private equity investments related to upstream oil and gas properties. Von Merz joined the firm from Morgan Lewis.