40 Facts About Vinson & Elkins

The Origins of Vinson & Elkins

Vinson & Elkins LLP, often called V&E, has a storied history that began over a century ago. Let's dive into some key moments and figures that shaped this prestigious law firm.

1. Founding: Established in Houston, Texas, in 1917 by Judge James A. Elkins and William A. Vinson, V&E started its journey in a small office in the Union National Bank Building.

2. Initial Practice Areas: The firm's early focus included timber, insurance, and oil, though it initially had a limited number of energy clients.

3. Early Partners: After Judge Townes' death, Vinson and Elkins formed their partnership in the former office of Townes & Vinson.

4. Expansion: The firm quickly grew, hiring Andrew Cox Wood in 1917 as its first lateral partner, setting a precedent for recruiting experienced partners.

Key Figures and Early Clients

Several influential figures and early clients played pivotal roles in the firm's growth and success.

5. First Major Oil Client: Wildcatter A.E. Humphreys struck oil near Mexia, Texas, becoming the firm's first significant oil industry client, boosting its energy practice.

6. Judge Elkins’ Network: Judge Elkins' extensive network helped generate business and recruit top attorneys, significantly impacting the firm's early success.

7. Claude Pollard: Texas Bar Association president and noted litigator Claude Pollard joined as a named partner but left after a year to become Texas Attorney General in 1926.

8. Clyde Sweeton: Renowned trial lawyer Clyde Sweeton joined the firm, specializing in oil and gas law, and handled the growing Mexia litigation docket.

9. Wharton Ewell Weems: After Andrew Wood's departure, Wharton Ewell Weems, the first native Houstonian to join V&E, replaced him in the firm's nameplate.

Strategic Business Moves

Strategic decisions and business ventures helped V&E establish a strong foothold in the legal industry.

10. Guaranty Trust Company: Judge Elkins formed the Guaranty Trust Company in 1924, which later became City National Bank and eventually First City National Bank, Houston's largest bank.

11. American General Life Insurance: Judge Elkins and Jesse H. Jones co-founded American General Life Insurance Company, which remained an important client until its acquisition by AIG in 2001.

12. J. Vincent Martin: Recognizing the need for patent expertise, Judge Elkins hired J. Vincent Martin, the firm's first patent lawyer, who made partner in 1942.

Global Presence and Leadership

Vinson & Elkins has grown into a global powerhouse with a strong leadership team guiding its success.

13. Global Presence: Today, V&E has offices in major energy, financial, and political centers worldwide, including Austin, Dallas, Dubai, Houston, London, Los Angeles, New York City, Richmond, Riyadh, San Francisco, Tokyo, and Washington, D.C.

14. Approximate Number of Lawyers: The firm boasts around 700 lawyers globally, making it a significant player in the legal market.

15. Leadership: In May 2021, the firm elected Keith Fullenweider as chair and Jim Fox, Michael Holmes, and Hilary Preston as vice chairs, effective January 1, 2022.

16. Former Leadership: The firm's former chairman is Mark Kelly, and its managing partner was Scott Wulfe. V&E was named a top-ranked firm and best law firm to work for in Vault’s 2024 Associate Survey.

Practice Areas and Recognitions

V&E excels in various legal fields, particularly those related to the energy industry, and has received numerous accolades.

17. Practice Areas: The firm practices in numerous legal fields, especially energy, with over 400 lawyers involved in energy-related legal work. It was rated the most prestigious firm in Texas for the fifth year in a row and has the nation’s strongest practice for Energy, Oil, & Gas for the eighth consecutive year.

18. Chambers & Partners Rankings: The firm is highly ranked within Chamber and Partners legal rankings as a leading firm in Corporate and Tax areas, collectively achieving 16 Band 1 practice rankings in the 2023 guide. The firm’s Litigation and Regulatory Department was recognized in 24 practice categories.

19. Euromoney Magazine Recognition: Recognized as “The World’s Leading Energy Law Firm” by Euromoney Magazine since 1995.

20. Chambers & Partners Recognition: In 2023, Chambers & Partners recognized V&E globally as the leader in Projects & Energy: Oil & Gas.

21. Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration: In 2024, Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration identified six partners, including Camilo Cardozo and James Loftis, as leaders in arbitration.

22. Lawdragon Recognition: In 2024, Lawdragon recognized eight V&E lawyers among the world’s 500 leading cybersecurity lawyers.

Commitment to Diversity and Community

V&E is dedicated to diversity, inclusion, and community involvement, making significant strides in these areas.

23. Diversity and Inclusion Efforts: In 2021, the firm was named a leader in diversity equity and inclusion by Bloomberg as part of Bloomberg Law’s DEI Framework study. In 2009, the firm was again named a Community of Respect by the Anti-Defamation League.

24. The University of Texas School of Law’s Pipeline Program: V&E became the founding sponsor of The University of Texas School of Law’s new Pipeline Program in January 2022, committing $1 million to support the program.

25. Pro Bono Work: V&E lawyers donate more than 30,000 hours annually to pro bono activities and countless hours to charitable and arts organizations.

Training and Development

The firm offers extensive training and development programs to help its lawyers reach their full potential.

26. Training and Development Programs: V&E has robust training and development programs, encouraging formal mentor and sponsor pairings through its women’s and diversity initiatives.

27. Technical Skills Training: The firm offers extensive technical skills training, including 200+ live and virtual, in-house CLE presentations annually. External training and internal workshops cover negotiation skills, deposition skills, trial advocacy, writing, and financial accounting.

28. Professional Skills Training: Professional skills training includes project management, effective mentoring and delegating, the partnership process, building inclusive teams, business development, and the pitch process. External experts lead sessions on seeking feedback, building leadership skills and confidence, communication skills, and video presentation skills.

29. One-on-One Career & Skills Coaching: The firm provides one-on-one career coaching available to all lawyers, plus one-on-one coaching on writing, communication/public speaking, leadership, etc.

Firm Culture and Community Involvement

V&E fosters a positive work environment and actively engages with the community.

30. Associates’ Feedback: Partners at V&E are praised for treating associates with respect and kindness, taking time to get to know them, and giving guidance on projects and assignments.

31. Community Involvement: V&E lawyers and business professionals volunteer at charitable organizations and contribute their time, finances, and personal efforts to make a positive impact.

32. Sustainability Efforts: The firm understands Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) has no finish line. V&E’s impact in communities and the world is connected to their ability to deliver on ESG solutions for clients and themselves.

33. Women’s Initiative: V&E’s Women’s Initiative empowers women lawyers to build path-breaking legal careers. The firm supports the development of women lawyers through various initiatives.

Recognitions and Recent Achievements

V&E has received numerous accolades and continues to excel in various legal fields.

34. Recognition by Forbes Magazine: V&E is recognized as one of America's top corporate law firms by Forbes Magazine.

35. The Legal 500 U.S. Recognition: The firm is described as a renewables powerhouse with a breadth and depth of expertise that makes them formidable and commercially minded by The Legal 500 U.S. 2021.

36. Chambers USA 2021 Rankings: V&E is recognized in 46 areas of law, including Commercial Litigation, Corporate/M&A, Capital Markets, Power & Renewables Projects, Employment/Labor, Environmental, Real Estate, and International Arbitration.

37. Vault’s 2025 Associate Survey Rankings: V&E was named a top-ranked firm and best law firm to work for in Vault’s 2025 Associate Survey.

38. Recent Deals and Cases: The firm has been involved in significant deals and cases, such as advising Palmetto Solar in a Puerto Rican solar project, advising Blackstone in a $1.1 billion purchase of equity in Tallgrass Energy, and navigating risks in technology transactions involving AI.

39. Pro Bono Activities: V&E’s commitment to pro bono activities is evident through their annual donation of over 30,000 hours to various causes. The firm supports numerous charitable and arts organizations.

40. Legacy and Future: With a legacy spanning over a century, V&E continues to evolve, expanding its practice areas beyond energy into M&A, private equity, banking/finance, technology, real estate, media, antitrust, complex litigation, intellectual property, environmental, tax, and regulatory.

Vinson & Elkins: A Legacy of Excellence

Vinson & Elkins has been a powerhouse in the legal world since 1917. From its humble beginnings in Houston, the firm has grown into a global leader with offices in major cities like New York, London, and Tokyo. Known for its expertise in energy law, V&E has also made significant strides in corporate law, litigation, and regulatory practices. The firm’s commitment to diversity, pro bono work, and community involvement sets it apart. With around 700 lawyers, V&E continues to innovate and lead in various legal fields. Recognized by Chambers & Partners, Euromoney Magazine, and Forbes, the firm’s reputation for excellence is well-deserved. Whether it’s training programs, sustainability efforts, or groundbreaking deals, Vinson & Elkins remains a top choice for clients and lawyers alike. The legacy of V&E is one of dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the legal profession.