Paul Weiss Goes to Houston And The Energy Talent War Just Escalated
When Paul Weiss just poached senior energy M&A dealmakers from Kirkland & Ellis and promptly announced a strategic push into Houston, this was not a polite handshake between firms but a major shakeup with weaponized intent.
Paul Weiss, fresh from the headline-making resignation of their chief Brad Karp, has entered a new phase of turf warfare and hitting where the money is still flowing – the energy sector.
Hiring senior Kirkland lawyers Sean Wheeler (pictured) and Debbie Yee are significant moves in a significant sector.
The new office is the firm’s 11th globally and sixth in the US and will build on the firm’s established work in M&A, infrastructure and of course energy.
More Than Another Lateral Hire
Taking top talent from Kirkland isn’t a surprise by itself. What makes this one worth firing off press releases about their new hires and making law firms sit up.
So why the difference?
Despite its current turmolt, Paul Weiss has had a top year, advising on almost $400bn worth of M&A deals worldwide, putting it among the top 10 M&A law firms globally, according to LSEG data. Paul Weiss ranked sixth for total deal volumes in the US while Kirkland was number one.
- It’s not New York or London.
Houston is still the beating heart of energy deals. - It’s strategic expansion, not padding the roster.
Paul Weiss isn’t doubling down in random offices. They’re staking claim in a market Kirkland treats as a cash cow, which will create some serious disruption. - The hire is senior.
Not “associates with potential.” These are partners who already walk into rooms where the real clients sit.
The Houston Deal
For law firms still mulling long-term strategy, this is a clear signpost.
1) Energy dealflow isn’t dead
Despite macro noise around tech and private markets, energy — especially midstream, renewable transition, and structured commodity work — still commands big fees. Firms that ignore this are ceding ground and firms like Paul Weiss are only too happy to pick up the quality work.
2) Lateral wars have shifted from salary splurges to strategic grabs
This isn’t about who pays more champagne money. It’s about placing people where clients will pay significant fees this quarter, not next quarter.
3) Firm footprints are the new brand signals
Opening an office in Houston says: “We expect to do serious work here — not just host occasional client lunches.” We know enough about Paul Weiss now (putting aside Jeffrey Epstein references) to know they’re dead serious about serious deals and serious growth.
Paul Weiss Stars
Let’s address the stuff partners will talk about privately. Paul Weiss is putting together a team of star lawyers and the trend is accelerating.
Among recent hires are Jim Langston from Cleary Gottlieb and Krishna Veeraraghavan from Sullivan & Cromwell, not to mention debt financing partners Neel Sachdev and Eric Wedel from Kirkland in 2023 to grow its London and Los Angeles offices, respectively.
Comp inflation.
Senior lateral money these days doesn’t resemble standard “guarantee plus bonus” packages. It’s closer to enterprise deals. Which means total comp expectations across elite firms are now firmly into seven figures, routinely.
Associate markets will feel this too.
When partners get big money and juicy books, their teams follow, and suddenly the real job market is not New York or DC… it’s wherever the clients (and dollars) are.
Culture clash risk.
Tiny offices with global ambitions often face the dreaded “we want autonomy, you want consistency” tug-of-war. This is a thing, and it’s coming soon to a conference room near you.
