Paul, Weiss announced that Austin Lee has joined the firm as a partner in the M&A Group within its Corporate Department. Lee is based in Houston.
He advises public and private companies on the acquisition and divestiture of oil and gas properties, as well as on transactional and operational matters related to energy projects.
Lee’s practice includes oil and gas M&A, midstream and downstream energy projects, produced water and saltwater disposal projects, and gas storage and related energy storage facilities.
He has also represented lenders and borrowers on the financing of oil and gas properties, pipeline systems, midstream assets, and development facilities.
Lee’s experience includes advising energy clients in distressed situations, including the restructuring of financial arrangements.
Before returning to private practice, Lee worked as in-house upstream legal counsel at an independent exploration and production company, where he supported a business unit covering areas of South Texas.
His recent representations include advising Diamondback Energy and certain affiliates in the sale of producing non-operated properties in the Delaware Basin to Riverbend Energy Group.
He also advised Apache Corporation and certain affiliates on multiple transactions, including the sale of certain unconventional producing assets in New Mexico to Permian Resources Corporation and a separate divestiture of non-core properties in the Permian Basin to an undisclosed buyer.
Lee also represented Grit Oil & Gas Management and an affiliate in the divestiture of Grit Oil & Gas II to Jonah Energy.
Lee has been recognized by Chambers USA for Nationwide Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional), Chambers Global for Energy: Oil and Gas (Transactional), and The Legal 500 US for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas. He was also named to Hart Energy’s Oil and Gas Investor Forty Under 40 list and recognized by Law360 as an Energy Rising Star.
Lee earned a B.A. and an M.A. from The University of Texas at Austin and a J.D., with honors, from The University of Texas School of Law.
KEY QUOTES:
“Austin is an experienced M&A lawyer with a multifaceted skillset, who has worked on a wide range of energy transactions and projects. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm.”
Angelo Bonvino, Global Head of the Corporate Department at Paul, Weiss
“We are excited to have Austin, a talented and versatile energy lawyer, on our growing Houston team. Austin’s extensive knowledge and deal experience, particularly in the upstream space, will enhance our ability to serve our clients, many of whom are focused on investment in energy and infrastructure assets.”
Sean T. Wheeler, Global Co-Chair of M&A and Head of the Houston Office at Paul, Weiss
