Latham Adds Vinson & Elkins Partner in Houston, Expanding Energy Team

Vinson & Elkins M&A and private equity partner Trina Chandler has joined Latham & Watkins in Houston, as Latham continues expansion of its energy, energy transition and infrastructure team in Houston and firmwide.

Chandler joined Latham on Monday as a partner in the corporate department and a member of the firm’s M&A and private equity practices. She does M&A and private equity work in the power, renewables, energy transition and infrastructure sectors.

Justin Stolte, global chair of the firm’s energy and infrastructure industry group, said Chandler has a “fantastic reputation” as a lawyer, is entrepreneurial and fits well into the firm’s culture.

“Her practice is very complementary to what we have in Houston, and more broadly across the firm, because she has substantial experience in the power, renewables, energy transition and infrastructure sectors, but she also has a very strong traditional energy practice,” he said.

So far in 2021, Latham has added a total of 11 lawyers in the energy, energy transition and infrastructure sectors, including, in Houston, including Ravi Purohit from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and James Garrett from Vinson & Elkins.

“It’s a firmwide objective, but Houston being the energy capital of the world, it makes a lot of sense for a number of the additions to occur here,” Stolte said.

Chandler, who practiced at Vinson & Elkins for more than 25 years, said she could not pass up the “incredible opportunity” to join Latham, which has focused on building its energy transition practice. She also was attracted to the firm’s collaborative culture.

“Latham is one of the firms that is pulling away from the pack,” said Chandler, who noted that she did not speak with any other firms about a potential move.

Chandler said she has been working in the power and renewable energy industries for many years, and said Latham represents some of the clients she represented while at Vinson & Elkins, including Riverstone Holdings and Carlyle.

When asked for a comment on Chandler’s departure, a Vinson & Elkins spokesman wrote, “We want to thank Trina for her contributions and service to the firm over the years.”