Law Firm Profile
Vinson & Elkins By Teresa Cajot Vinson & Elkins LLP is a Houston, Texas-headquartered law firm that is globally recognized as a leader in energy law. The firm was established in 1917, when James A. Elkins and William A. Vinson came together to establish a law firm that would stand the test of time.
Vinson and Elkins succeeded and today the firm boasts 750 attorneys throughout its offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Washington, Palo Alto, Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Rivadh, Moscow, Shanghai, and Tokyo. In addition to its core energy practice, Vinson & Elkins also practices in “all areas of civil law and some areas of white collar criminal law.” The firm’s specialty areas include corporate, finance, restructuring and reorganization, tax benefits and compensation, labor and employment, international, litigation, intellectual property, environmental, and regulatory/public policy. Industries commonly served by the firm include the following: aviation and airlines, biotechnology and pharmaceutical, construction and engineering, energy and natural resources, finance, infrastructure, mining and minerals, outsourcing, real estate, technology, and telecommunications. Vinson & Elkins is committed to pro bono work and does not shy away from donating time and financial resources towards the legal representation for those who could not otherwise afford it. A sampling of areas that the firm has addressed
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through pro bono work include civil rights, Holocaust victim rights, immigration, political asylum, mental health issues, social security and pension benefits, tax assistance, and veteran’s assistance. Pro bono matters are given the same attention as all other client matters and lawyers receive full billable time and credit for the hours worked. Many Vinson & Elkins attorneys are also heavily involved in art organizations through donations of both time and money. The firm has provided legal services to a number of art organizations including the Houston Grand Opera, the Holocaust Museum Houston, Houston Symphony, the Houston Ballet, and many more. Vinson & Elkins is the only law firm to twice receive the Business in the Arts Award from Forbes magazine and New York’s Business Committee for the Arts, which was established in 1967. Attorneys with firm also proudly offer their time to a variety of organizations and community programs such as the Central Texas Legal Aid Society, the Dispute Resolution Center, Teen Celibacy Inc., the American Association of Retired Persons, and the World Foundation for AIDS Research.
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