Awards & Rankings

Bracewell is known for excellence throughout the legal industry. Our practices and lawyers are recognized market leaders, as evident in some of the awards and rankings we’ve earned over the years.

ACC Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards

• Bracewell and Prosperity Bank received the M&A Transaction of the Year Award at the 2020 Houston Outstanding Corporate Counsel Awards for their work on Prosperity’s $2.1 billion merger with LegacyTexas Financial Group. The transaction is the second largest bank merger in Texas history.
• Bracewell and Pier 1 Imports won the Business Litigation of the Year Award at the 2019 Dallas-Fort Worth Corporate Counsel Awards. We successfully defended the retailer and its executives in a federal class action lawsuit.

The American Lawyer

• Daniel S. Connolly and Barbara S. Jones were named Northeast Trailblazers by The American Lawyer in 2021.
• At the 2018 Global Legal Awards, we were a finalist in the finance category for our role in the financing of McDermott’s $6 billion combination with Chicago Bridge & Iron Company.

Benchmark Litigation

• Christopher L. Dodson and Jonathon K. Hance were named to Benchmark Litigation’s 2020 40 & Under Hot List. Dodson was recognized in the Environmental and General Commercial categories, and Hance was recognized in the General Commercial and Intellectual Property categories. This is the fifth time that Dodson has been included on the list, and the third time for Hance.

Chambers and Partners

• Bracewell has been ranked Band 1 for USA Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) in Chambers Global for seven consecutive years. In 2021, we earned 13 practice rankings and 16 individual rankings, including Band 1 rankings for five lawyers: Jason Fox for UK: Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas, Catherine Hood for USA: Energy: Electricity (Finance), Todd W. Eckland for USA: Energy: Electricity (Finance), J. Anthony Terrell for USA: Energy: Electricity (Finance) and G. Alan Rafte for USA: Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional).
• We received two practice and eight individual rankings in the Chambers UK 2021, including a Band 1 ranking in Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas for Jason Fox.
• Bracewell has been ranked Band 1 Nationwide for Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation) in Chambers USA for seven years in a row.
• We have been ranked Band 1 for Texas Banking & Finance in Chambers USA for 14 years in a row.
• For five consecutive years, we have been ranked Band 1 for Texas Environment in Chambers USA.
• At the inaugural Chambers USA–Texas Awards in 2019, Bracewell was named Commercial Litigation Firm of the Year.

Connecticut Legal Awards

• Mark Dendinger was named a Game Changer at the 2020 Connecticut Legal Awards. He was one of four individuals recognized for making a difference within the legal industry by serving as a positive force for change.

The Deal

• Benjamin J. Martin was named a 2021 Top Rising Star by The Deal.

Euromoney Americas Women in Business Law Awards

• We were shortlisted for 14 firm, practice and jurisdictional awards at the 2021 Americas Women in Business Law Awards, including:
  • Best Diversity Initiative – North America
  • Best Firm for Women in Business Law – North America
  • Best Firm in the US Northeast
  • Best Firm in the US South
  • Best Firm in the US West
  • Best Mentoring Program – North America
  • Best Pro Bono Program – North America
  • Best Talent Management Program – North America
  • Best Work-Life Balance – North America
  • Debt Capital Markets Lawyer of the Year – Cristy C. Edwards
  • Energy, Natural Resources & Mining Lawyer of the Year – Danielle M. Varnell
  • Labor and Employment Lawyer of the Year – Amy Karff Halevy
  • Tax Lawyer of the Year – Victoria N. Ozimek
  • Rising Star: Litigation – Brittany M. Pemberton
• In 2020, we were shortlisted for 10 firm and practice area awards, including:
  • Best Firm in the US South
  • Best Gender Diversity Initiative by a National Firm – North America
  • Best National Mentoring Program – North America
  • Best National Firm for Pro Bono Work – North America
  • Best International Firm for Talent Management
  • Best International Firm for Women in Business Law
  • Best in Banking & Finance – Heather L. Brown
  • Best in Labor & Employment – Rebecca L. Baker
  • Best in Tax – Elizabeth L. McGinley
  • Rising Star: Litigation – Britt Cass Steckman
• In 2019, we were shortlisted for five firm awards and one individual award, including:
  • Best Firm in the US South
  • Best Gender Diversity Initiative by a National Firm – North America
  • Best National Mentoring Program – North America
  • Best National Firm for Pro Bono Work – North America
  • Best National Firm for Women in Business Law – North America
  • Rising Star: Finance: Jeris Diana Brunette

Financial Times

• In the 2019 FT Innovative Lawyers North America report, Bracewell was recognized for innovation in two areas of business law:
  • Technology and Data (Highly Commended): We were recognized for our innovative use of a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, or SCIF, in connection with the Michael Cohen privilege review.
  • Diversity and Inclusion (Commended): We were commended for our leadership in the development of the industry-leading Minute Mentoring® program, which has benefited thousands of young professionals since the program’s founding in 2009.
• In the 2019 FT Innovative Lawyers Europe Report, Bracewell was commended for its role in Neptune’s $3.9 acquisition of a majority stake in ENGIE E&P International S.A. in the Enabling Business and Transformation category.
• In the 2018 FT Innovative Lawyers North America report, Bracewell was ranked #7 for Most Innovative Law Firm for Legal Expertise. We received several category recognitions, including:
  • New Legal Standard (Standout): We were deemed a standout for our representation of Ergon Peru in the financing of three concession-type “investment agreements” for the installation of solar photovoltaic panels in certain off-grid locations.
  • Dispute Resolution (Highly Commended): Our financial restructuring and environmental teams were honored for their role advising Venoco in its restructuring.
  • Collaboration (Commended): Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group was recognized for its partnership with the National Brain Tumor Society in securing the passage of the STAR Act, which expanded federal funding and research into childhood cancer.

The Hill

• Edward D. Krenik, E. Dee Martin and Scott H. Segal were named to The Hill’s 2020 list of top lobbyists in Washington, DC. This marks the 14th year that Segal has been recognized, and the fourth year for Martin (2017-2020).

Houston Business Journal

• Two Bracewell partners have been honored as Women Who Mean Business: Constance Gall Rhebergen (2018) and Kate H. Day (2019).
• At the 2018 Landmark Awards, we won the Community Impact award for our role in Star of Hope Cornerstone Community^® real estate transaction.

IAM Patent

• In the 2020 edition IAM Patent 1000, our IP team was recommended for patent prosecution work in Texas. In addition, three Bracewell lawyers were singled out for excellence: Constance Gall Rhebergen, Brad Y. Chin and Douglas F. Stewart.

IFLR1000

• We received 20 practice rankings and 51 individual recognitions in IFLR1000 2021.
• Bracewell was among the law firms that honored for its role in McDermott International’s restructuring at the 2021 IFLR Americas Awards. The transaction was named Restructuring Deal of the Year. 
• Stephen Hug was named an Energy and Natural Resources Rising Star at the 2021 IFLR Rising Stars Americas Awards.
• At the 2020 IFLR Sub-Saharan Africa Awards, the firm’s role on the legal team that advised Seven Energy Group on its restructuring was named Restructuring Deal of the Year.
• At the 2020 IFLR United States Awards, Bracewell was shortlisted for four awards:
  • Projects Deal of the Year, for our work representing Equinor in connection with its Empire Wind 816 MW offshore wind farm
  • Projects Lawyer of the Year – Kevin A. Ewing
  • Projects Team of the Year
  • Texas Firm of the Year
• We were shortlisted for three awards at the 2021 IFLR Europe Awards:
  • Project Finance Team of the Year
  • Project Finance Deal of the Year, for our work on the Contego battery project
  • Project Finance Deal of the Year, for our work on the Masrik solar PV plant

IJ Global

• At the 2018 Europe and Africa Awards, IJ Global recognized Neptune Energy Group’s acquisition of a majority stake in ENGIE E&P International S.A. (EPI) for $3.9 billion as its 2018 Oil & Gas Upstream Transaction of the Year.

Law360

• Bracewell was honored as a 2020 Law360 Environmental Practice Group of the Year.
• In 2018, we were named a Law360 White Collar Practice Group of the Year.
• Bracewell has been recognized six times as an Energy Practice Group of the Year by Law360.
• We were named to Law360’s inaugural Litigation Powerhouse list in 2016.
• Five Bracewell lawyers have been named Law360 MVPs within the last five years: Kevin A. Ewing, Environment; Oliver Irwin; Project Finance; Robin J. Miles, Project Finance; Ann D. Navaro, Environment; and Paul Shechtman, White Collar.
• Five Bracewell lawyers have been named Law360 Risings Stars within the last five years: Jeris Diana Brunette, Banking & Finance; George D. Fatula, Energy; Andrej Kormuth, Project Finance; Austin T. Lee for Energy; and Tom Swarbrick, Construction.

Legal 500

• In Legal 500 EMEA 2021, we earned a practice ranking and two individual rankings for construction. In addition, Andrej Kormuth was honored as a Next Generation Partner.
• In Legal 500 UK 2021, we earned 32 recommendations, including eight practice rankings and 24 individual recognitions. Jason Fox was named to Legal 500’s Hall of Fame and Adam Blythe, Nina Howell and Oliver Irwin were named Next Generation partners.
• In Legal 500 US 2021, Bracewell earned 29 practice rankings and 88 individual recognitions. In addition, Mark K. Lewis was recognized as a Leading Lawyer for Energy Regulation: Oil and Gas and Paul Shechtman was named a Leading Lawyer for Corporate Investigations and White-Collar Criminal Defense: Advice to Individuals. Shechtman was also named to Legal 500’s Hall of Fame for Corporate Investigations and White Collar Criminal Defense, and G. Alan Rafte was named to the Hall for Fame for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas. Two lawyers were honored as Next Generation Partners in three areas: Michael W. Brooks for Energy Regulation: Conventional Power and Energy Regulation: Oil and Gas, and Andrew W. Zeve for Energy Litigation: Oil and Gas.

Legal Business Awards 

• Bracewell was named a finalist for two awards at the 2021 British Legal Awards: US Firm of the Year and Finance Team of the Year, for our role in the Al Kharsaah Solar IPP in Qatar.
• Bracewell was short listed for two awards at the 2018 British Legal Awards: Energy and Infrastructure Team of the Year and M&A Team of the Year (Medium-Sized Deal) for its role in advising Eni in its landmark development of the “super-giant” Zohr gas field located in the Egyptian sector of the Mediterranean Sea.

Middle East Legal Awards

• Bracewell has been shortlisted for two awards at the 2021 Middle East Legal Awards including Infrastructure and Energy Projects Team of the Year and Most Promising Newcomer – Private Practice.

• In 2017 and 2018, the firm was honored as Infrastructure and Energy Projects Team of the Year.

The National Law Journal

• In 2020, Dee Martin was named a DC Trailblazer, and Paul Shechtman was named a Criminal Law Trailblazer.

National Law Review

• Bracewell’s Policy Resolution Group was recognized as a Go-To Thought Leader in Election and Legislative News for 2020.
• In 2019, our energy regulatory team was a recognized Go-To Thought Leader for Energy Law.

The New York Law Journal

• Barbara S. Jones was named a New York Trailblazer in 2019, and Daniel S. Connolly was named a New York Trailblazer in 2020.

P3 Awards

• At the 2019 P3 Awards, the Howard County Circuit Courthouse Project won the gold prize for Social Infrastructure Project of the Year. The firm, which was a finalist for Legal Advisor of the Year, represented Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners and its sponsors on the transaction.

Petroleum Economist

• At the 2018 Petroleum Economist Awards, Bracewell was named Legal Services Provider of the Year. We also received this honor in 2015.

S&P Global Platts

• Bracewell was a finalist for Corporate Deal of the Year at the 2018 Global Energy Awards. The firm was recognized for its role in the successful closing of the financing and equity arrangements for the construction of the $1.3 billion South Field Energy project.

Texas Lawyer

• At the 2020 Texas Legal Awards, Jane H. Macon received a Lifetime Achievement Award, and Rebecca L. Baker received an On the Rise Award, which recognizes lawyers under the age of 40 who have wielded influence in their practice areas in Texas and beyond. In 2018, Christopher L. Dodson was selected as an On the Rise Award winner.
• Since 2019, eight Bracewell lawyers have been recognized as Texas Trailblazers. In 2019, Stephen B. Crain, Kate H. Day and G. Alan Rafte were named Trailblazers. In 2020, E. Steve Bolden II, Victoria M. Garcia, William Mahomes, Jr., Constance Gall Rhebergen and Barron F. Wallace were honored.
• In 2017, Bracewell was named Large Law Firm Litigation Department of the Year by Texas Lawyer.

The Times

• For three years in a row, The Times has recognized Bracewell as one of the top 20 firms for energy and renewables work in its 2021 list of Best Law Firms.

U.S. News – Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms”

• In 2021, six lawyers were honored as Lawyers of the Year: Lance W. Behnke, Seattle Tax Lawyer of the Year; Victoria M. Garcia, San Antonio Immigration Lawyer of the Year; R. Joe Hull, Austin Tax Lawyer of the Year; James H. Kizziar, Jr., San Antonio Labor & Employment Lawyer of the Year; Aaron P. Roffwarg, Houston Real Estate Lawyer of the Year; and Douglas F. Stewart, Seattle Patent Litigation Lawyer of the Year. In addition, 15 lawyers were named to the inaugural Ones to Watch list which recognizes US lawyers who have been in private practice for fewer than 10 years and have earned a reputation for excellence among their peers.
• In 2020, we were named Law Firm of the Year for Oil & Gas Law. In addition, eight lawyers were honored as Lawyers of the Year: Timothy A. Wilkins, Austin Environment Litigation Lawyer of the Year; Jeffrey B. Andrews, Houston Technology Lawyer of the Year; Dewey J. Gonsoulin, Jr., Houston Banking & Finance Lawyer of the Year; G. Alan Rafte, Houston Oil & Gas Lawyer of the Year; William A. Wood, III, Houston Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization Lawyer of the Year; Paul Shechtman, New York Appellate Lawyer of the Year; Richard C. Danysh, San Antonio Bet-the-Company Litigation Lawyer of the Year; and Douglas F. Stewart, Seattle Intellectual Property Litigation Lawyer of the Year.
• In 2019, Bracewell was named Law Firm of the Year for Energy Law. In addition, eight lawyers were honored as Lawyers of the Year: Elizabeth Rippy Bowes, Austin Public Finance Lawyer of the Year; Timothy A. Wilkins, Austin Environmental Lawyer of the Year; Robert C. Collins, III, Dallas Public Finance Lawyer of the Year; R. Todd Greenwalt, Houston Public Finance Lawyer of the Year; G. Alan Rafte, Houston Energy Lawyer of the Year; Barbara S. Jones, New York Administrative/Regulatory Lawyer of the Year; Victoria M. Garcia, San Antonio Immigration Lawyer of the Year; and James H. Kizziar, Jr., San Antonio Labor Management Lawyer of the Year.