Mayer Brown fuels energy capabilities with addition of partner Philip Lau in Houston

Mayer Brown announced today that oil and gas practitioner Philip Lau has joined the firm as a Corporate & Securities partner in Houston. Previously, Mr. Lau was a partner in the energy group at Locke Lord, serving as the co-chair of that firm's Construction Law practice group.

“Phil is a force in the midstream and downstream sectors, and we are delighted to welcome him to Mayer Brown as we continue to strengthen our global oil and gas capabilities,” said Alex Chequer, the global leader of the Oil & Gas group at Mayer Brown. “Phil’s experience in project development and commercial transactions in midstream-related M&A transactions will help us in our M&A, corporate and securities transactions, as well as the multi-practice infrastructure investment in the oil and gas industry, to the next level.”

Mr. Lau’s practice centers on energy-related commercial transactions and construction, primarily in the midstream and downstream segments. He has represented US and foreign energy companies in drafting and negotiating crude oil and natural gas gathering agreements; natural gas processing, fractionation and transportation services agreements; natural gas liquids purchase; sale and export agreements, source water supply agreements and produced water disposal agreements; and terminalling and storage agreements for various bulk hydrocarbon products. Mr. Lau has also worked on engineering, procurement and construction contracts for natural gas pipelines and processing plants, chemical production facilities and storage terminals. Finally, Mr. Lau has represented both buyers and sellers in the acquisition and divestiture of crude oil, natural gas and produced water midstream assets and has worked on the development of greenfield and brownfield energy projects, including pipelines and export terminals.

“I was attracted to Mayer Brown’s commitment to expand its already substantial energy capabilities, both in the Houston market and globally,” said Mr. Lau. “I’m eager to get started with the team and leverage my transactional knowledge and experience to enhance the firm’s powerful platform.”

“Phil’s arrival, along with the addition of energy partner Vera de Gyarfas earlier this year, strengthens even further our Houston energy practice,“ added Neil Wasserstrom, the managing partner of Mayer Brown’s Houston office.