2024Law

Paul Hastings ← Vinson & Elkins

8 Partners Lead 25-Lawyer Finance Team Move in Largest Texas Practice Group Transfer Ever

Paul Hastings opens Dallas office and triples Texas headcount by hiring Vinson & Elkins' energy finance leadership

Deal Value

25 lawyers

Team Size

8 partners + 17 associates/counsel

Industry

Law

In early 2024, Paul Hastings hired an eight-partner, 25-lawyer finance team from Vinson & Elkins in Dallas and Houston—reportedly the largest single practice group move in Texas history. The hire included current and former co-chairs of V&E's global finance practice and launched Paul Hastings' Dallas office.

Background

Vinson & Elkins had built one of the preeminent energy finance practices in Texas, with deep expertise in oil and gas transactions.

Paul Hastings had been aggressively expanding in Texas but needed senior finance leadership to compete with established players.

The energy finance market was experiencing strong demand as private credit funds increasingly competed with traditional banks.

Paul Hastings had only 25 lawyers in Texas before this move—the hire would transform its market position.

The Move

On March 28, 2024, Paul Hastings announced the arrival of the eight-partner finance team from Vinson & Elkins.

Four partners would anchor the firm's new Dallas office, while four others joined in Houston.

The team included Brian Moss, Erec Winandy, Christopher Dewar, and Guy Gribov—current and former co-chairs of V&E's global finance practice.

Paul Hastings expected to have more than 100 lawyers in Texas by Q1 2025, up from just 25 before the hire.

Key Players

Brian Moss

V&E Global Finance Co-Chair → Paul Hastings Partner

One of the current co-chairs of V&E's global finance practice who led the move to Paul Hastings.

Christopher Dewar

V&E Global Finance → Paul Hastings Partner

Former co-chair of V&E's global finance practice, part of the leadership team.

Erec Winandy

V&E Global Finance Co-Chair → Paul Hastings Partner

Current co-chair who joined with Moss to bring the practice to Paul Hastings.

Guy Gribov

V&E Global Finance → Paul Hastings Partner

Part of the leadership team with deep energy finance expertise.

Why It Worked

•Paul Hastings offered a platform for growth that V&E couldn't match—tripling their Texas presence.
•Bringing both current and former practice co-chairs provided continuity and credibility with clients.
•The team's expertise in energy finance aligned with Paul Hastings' strategic focus areas.
•Opening a Dallas office as part of the move gave the team geographic expansion they couldn't achieve at V&E.

Challenges

•Vinson & Elkins lost leadership of one of its signature practices to a direct competitor.
•Paul Hastings needed to build out Dallas infrastructure rapidly to support the new office.
•The aggressive Texas expansion created pressure to deliver strong financial results quickly.

Outcome

•Paul Hastings more than tripled its Texas headcount, from 25 lawyers to over 100 expected.
•The firm established a Dallas presence overnight with proven leadership.
•Paul Hastings instantly became a major player in Texas energy finance.
•The move was widely reported as the largest practice group transfer in Texas legal history.

Lessons for Other Liftouts

1.Practice group co-chairs who move together bring instant credibility and client confidence.
2.Opening a new office as part of a group hire reduces execution risk versus organic expansion.
3.Texas energy finance expertise is highly portable—clients follow relationships.
4.Ambitious growth targets can attract partners seeking opportunity over stability.