new hires

Law firm expands energy team in Houston with addition of 2 transaction attorneys

Ming Lei and Kevin Brophy were named as partners and members of the firm's transactions department. Photos via winston.com

Two lawyers have joined Winston & Strawn's energy practice in Houston.

Kevin Brophy and Ming Lei were named as partners and members of the firm's transactions department.

“Kevin and Ming’s extensive experience executing all manner of sophisticated transactions for energy and infrastructure clients combined with their strong networks in the energy sector enhance Winston’s position in Texas as one of the strongest firms for handling these transactions,” Mike Blankenship, Houston office managing partner, says in a news release. “Their complementary skills will help expand our work with private equity firms and other companies operating in the energy sector.”

Brophy's focus includes upstream and midstream sectors, and Lei advises clients on energy transition, as well as oil and gas exploration, storage, refinery, and more. Both have expertise in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, asset acquisitions and dispositions, and more.

“Winston’s transactions team has a first-class reputation. We are excited to join the firm’s growing Houston office and look forward to collaborating with our new colleagues to advance Winston’s oil and gas practice in Texas and beyond,” Brophy and Lei say in a joint statement.

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A View From HETI

Chevron U.S.A. has acquired 125,000 acres in Northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas that contain a high amount of lithium. Photo via Getty Images.

Chevron U.S.A., a subsidiary of Houston-based energy company Chevron, has taken its first big step toward establishing a commercial-scale lithium business.

Chevron acquired leaseholds totaling about 125,000 acres in Northeast Texas and southwest Arkansas from TerraVolta Resources and East Texas Natural Resources. The acreage contains a high amount of lithium, which Chevron plans to extract from brines produced from the subsurface.

Lithium-ion batteries are used in an array of technologies, such as smartwatches, e-bikes, pacemakers, and batteries for electric vehicles, according to Chevron. The International Energy Agency estimates lithium demand could grow more than 400 percent by 2040.

“This acquisition represents a strategic investment to support energy manufacturing and expand U.S.-based critical mineral supplies,” Jeff Gustavson, president of Chevron New Energies, said in a news release. “Establishing domestic and resilient lithium supply chains is essential not only to maintaining U.S. energy leadership but also to meeting the growing demand from customers.”

Rania Yacoub, corporate business development manager at Chevron New Energies, said that amid heightening demand, lithium is “one of the world’s most sought-after natural resources.”

“Chevron is looking to help meet that demand and drive U.S. energy competitiveness by sourcing lithium domestically,” Yacoub said.

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