Morgan Lewis today welcomes energy transactions lawyer Carl von Merz as a partner in its corporate and business transactions practice. He will be based in Houston.

Mr. von Merz, who focuses on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and private equity investments, enhances the firm’s leading energy practice at a time when private equity investment in the energy sector continues to grow in the United States. His addition to the 65-lawyer Houston office also further cements Morgan Lewis’s presence in this major US energy center, where the firm maintains one of the city’s largest, top-ranked offices operated by a global law firm.

“Carl’s impressive background in energy transactions adds a deep layer of practice capability to our energy team and significantly complements our service to traditional oil and gas clients,” said Firm Chair Jami McKeon. “We are delighted to have Carl in our office in Houston, which continues its rapid growth and recently celebrated its 10th anniversary with remarkable achievements in representing clients globally in a broad array of sectors.”

Mr. von Merz has a particular focus on acquisitions of upstream oil and gas properties in the premium unconventional basins in the United States and on advising private equity funds and management teams on the formation of partnerships, limited liability companies, and other entities for investment in all areas of the energy industry.

He previously was lead counsel for a global energy company, where he advised on upstream mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and operational matters. He is fluent in Spanish and has represented clients in cross-border transactions across Latin America, including in Mexico, Brazil, and Colombia.

“Carl’s experience with private equity investments in energy and his long-standing relationship with energy clients make him a valuable partner on our team,” said Morgan Lewis partner David F. Asmus, the global leader of the firm’s energy transactions practice. “And his familiarity with Latin America makes him an additional asset to our clients.”

The energy transactions team at Morgan Lewis provides practical, thoughtful, and informed advice on some of the world’s most complex and significant energy transactions. With more than 100 energy lawyers operating in key energy and financial centers, the firm advises on project development and finance; mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures; capital markets transactions; and regulatory and compliance issues.

Morgan Lewis’s Houston office is ranked among the top 10 Houston-area energy law firms and is home to a core group of global energy transactions lawyers who focus on acquisition, divestiture, structuring, development, and financing across the oil and gas value chain. The firm also has a globally recognized Latin America practice with deep roots in Houston, where lawyers work routinely on transactions throughout the region.

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