Energy deal lawyer Jay Hughes has rejoined McGuireWoods as a partner in Houston, returning nearly four years after he departed for Willkie Farr & Gallagher‘s Houston office, where he was a co-chair of the power and renewable energy practice.

Hughes’ decision to rejoin McGuireWoods comes as hiring in Texas in the energy sector, particularly in the growing renewables area, has been strong with the turn of the calendar to 2024. A number of firms, including Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, King & Spalding, Bracewell, and Baker McKenzie, made significant lateral partner hires in the energy sector. Willkie also has so far this year hired partners in Houston, one from Mayer Brown, and the other from Shearman & Sterling.