Oil prices are up 60% since the start of 2021, a recovery that has led to increased deals activity in the oil and gas sector, and a related upswing in work for firms in Texas with energy practices.

“It’s obviously a very stark contrast to what we experienced in 2020. Ever since the middle of the spring, it’s been extremely busy—as busy a time as I’ve ever seen in my career,” said Austin Lee, an energy transactions partner at Bracewell in Houston.