Eight energy regulatory lawyers left Vinson & Elkins to form Caldwell Boudreaux Lefler, a Houston boutique that will do work for the oil pipeline industry.

The lawyers formed Caldwell Boudreaux on Aug. 1 to avoid conflicts between their regulatory work for clients in the oil pipeline business and other V&E clients. The parting is amicable and the firms will work closely together when they can, says Mark Kelly, chairman of Houston-based V&E.