Paul Hastings Announces Opening of Houston Office and Addition of Leading Energy-Focused Transactional Partners

April 23, 2012

Houston, TX (April 23, 2012) - Paul Hastings LLP, a leading global law firm, announced today the opening of an office in Houston, Texas and the addition of three leading energy- focused transactional partners. The new lawyers all have prominent practices in the energy industry, which will advance the firm's goal to build a leading energy practice. The launch of the office in Houston follows the recent announcement that the firm was the first U.S. law firm to submit preliminary applications to establish an office in South Korea.

Greg Nelson, a widely respected energy-focused tax lawyer, who will chair the new office, joins from Baker Botts LLP, where he was chair of the Tax department. And Paris Theofanidis, a prominent finance lawyer with energy expertise, joins from Vinson & Elkins LLP. Steven Tredennick, a highly regarded private equity and mergers and acquisitions lawyer with a focus in the energy space, also has joined the office from Bracewell & Giuliani LLP.

The firm also announced that Kevin Fisher, a finance and restructuring partner, with extensive experience advising clients in the energy sector, has relocated from the San Francisco office to help establish and build the Houston office.

"Our office opening in Houston is an important step in further building our team of energy-focused legal experts across diverse practice areas," said Greg Nitzkowski, managing partner. "As our Houston office expands, the on-the-ground expertise will complement our existing global energy capabilities and allow us to better serve clients in this critical market," he added.

"I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues in Houston and with the talented energy-focused lawyers across Paul Hastings global network to build a top-tier energy practice," said Greg Nelson, the office chair of the newly launched Houston office. "The wide-range of new and existing talent will be a huge advantage as we continue to expand in this extremely competitive industry," he added.

Greg Nelson

Mr. Nelson concentrates on federal income taxation, with particular emphasis on the tax issues that relate to corporations and partnerships in the energy and real estate sectors. He regularly counsels clients on tax issues related to private equity transactions and publicly traded partnerships. He also works on the tax-efficient structuring of corporate mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, including taxable sales and tax-free reorganizations.

Paris Theofanidis

Mr. Theofanidis principal practice areas are finance, derivatives, and structured products. He has extensive experience representing corporate borrowers and issuers, institutional investors, insurance companies, private equity funds, hedge funds, commercial banks, and underwriters in a multitude of significant transactions involving various subspecialties of finance, including syndicated bank finance, structured finance, project finance, capital markets finance, private placement of notes, equipment finance, mezzanine finance, second lien finance, bridge finance, and maritime finance.

Steven Tredennick

Mr. Tredennick focuses on the representation of private equity firms and other investment funds in connection with their transactions. He also represents companies, both public and private, engaged in a wide variety of businesses, including oil and gas exploration and production, oilfield services, electricity generation, natural gas storage, biotechnology and manufacturing. In addition to his transactional practice, Mr. Tredennick also advises on complex governance matters involving limited liability companies and partnerships.

Paul Hastings LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in Asia, Europe, and the United States. We provide innovative legal solutions to financial institutions and Fortune 500 companies. Please visit www.paulhastings.com for more information.