Latham & Watkins Houston is a prominent office within the global Latham & Watkins LLP network, serving energy, finance, and technology clients across the Gulf Coast region. The Houston team combines deep industry experience with sophisticated legal advice to address complex transactions and disputes.
With a track record of high-profile mandates and regulatory engagements, Latham & Watkins Houston is recognized for its responsive service, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and commitment to delivering measurable outcomes for multinational corporations, private equity sponsors, and emerging growth companies.
| Headcount | Primary Industry Focus | Key Practice Highlights | Regulatory Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 120+ attorneys | Energy & Infrastructure | Project finance, M&A, regulatory compliance | FERC, BOEM, TCEQ, SEC |
| 40+ partners | Financial Services | Debt & equity capital markets, syndicated lending | CFTC, FinCEN, FDIC |
| 35+ associates | Technology & Life Sciences | Joint ventures, commercial contracts, data privacy | FCC, FDA, USDA |
| 20+ lateral hires (2022–2024) | Real Estate & Projects | Port infrastructure, renewables, public-private partnerships | Army Corps of Engineers, ERCOT |
Houston Energy Transactions and Project Finance
Latham & Watkins Houston energy practice focuses on upstream, midstream, and downstream matters, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and financing for pipelines, storage, and LNG facilities. The team navigates FERC, NERC, and TCEQ requirements while structuring deals to withstand volatile market conditions.
Strategic M&A in the Gulf Coast
Recent mandates have covered refineries, petrochemical complexes, and midstream assets, supported by regulatory due diligence and seamless coordination with national and local stakeholders. Cross-border structures involving Canadian and Mexican counter-parties are common, requiring familiarity with bilateral pipelines and trade agreements.
Financial Services and Capital Markets Expertise
The Houston finance group advises banks, asset managers, and fintech platforms on syndicated loans, leveraged finance, and public and private debt issuances. Close alignment with New York, London, and Singapore teams enables consistent execution across jurisdictions while addressing local bank regulatory expectations.
Regulatory and Compliance Advisory
Practitioners routinely counsel clients on BSA, anti-money laundering controls, data breach response, and cybersecurity incident reporting. Continuous monitoring of FinCEN, SEC, and CFTC guidance helps clients adapt disclosure, governance, and risk frameworks quickly to shifting enforcement priorities.
Technology, Life Sciences, and Emerging Growth
For technology and life sciences clients, Latham & Watkins Houston provides company formation, commercial contracting, data privacy, and IP strategy tailored to fast-scaling ventures. The team collaborates with venture capital funds and corporate investors on financing rounds, SAFEs, and option pool planning aligned with emerging growth trajectories.
Commercial and Infrastructure Projects
Houston-based lawyers draft and negotiate cloud services agreements, software licenses, and cybersecurity provisions, with attention to export controls and sanctions. On the projects side, they handle telecom site leases, power purchase agreements, and permitting strategies to keep development pipelines moving efficiently.
Key Takeaways and Recommendations
- Leverage Houston energy expertise for project finance, M&A, and regulatory strategy on the Gulf Coast.
- Engage cross-disciplinary teams early to align energy, finance, and technology considerations in multi-jurisdiction deals.
- Build compliance programs around FERC, CFTC, SEC, and data privacy rules to reduce enforcement risk.
- Structure joint ventures and infrastructure projects with clear risk allocation and dispute mechanisms.
- Maintain ongoing dialogue with regulators through the Houston office to anticipate policy shifts and market impacts.
FAQ
Reader questions
What types of energy projects does Latham & Watkins Houston handle?
The office advises on upstream oil and gas transactions, midstream pipeline and storage developments, LNG export facilities, and renewable energy projects, handling everything from joint ventures to FERC filings and cross-border structuring.
How does the Houston team support financial services clients?
p> They provide syndicated lending, leveraged finance, and capital markets guidance, while navigating BSA, anti-money laundering rules, SEC disclosures, and bank regulatory exams to help clients manage risk and stay compliant.
Can Latham & Watkins Houston assist with technology and data privacy matters?
Yes, the team supports technology and life sciences companies with contract negotiation, cloud and SaaS agreements, IP strategy, data privacy compliance, and cybersecurity incident response aligned with federal and state requirements.
What makes the Houston office different from other Latham & Watkins locations?
The Houston office differentiates itself through deep energy and Gulf Coast market expertise, hands-on regulatory experience with FERC, TCEQ, and local authorities, and a client-first approach that emphasizes responsive service and cross-disciplinary collaboration on complex projects.