Bracewell LLP is pleased to announce that Carl von Merz has joined the firm’s Houston office as a partner focusing on the upstream oil and gas industry. Von Merz joins Bracewell from Morgan Lewis.

The addition of von Merz strengthens the firm’s internationally recognized energy practice. Bracewell’s Oil & Gas Projects team is highly ranked by both Chambers USA and Chambers Global and was named “Energy Group of the Year” for five straight years by Law360. In addition to von Merz, the firm also recently welcomed back two highly experienced senior associates to its oil and gas group.

“We are very excited to add Carl to our market-leading upstream practice,” said Bracewell’s Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. “Carl’s oil and gas and private equity experience will be a tremendous asset to the firm and our clients.”

Von Merz focuses on acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures and private equity investments related to upstream oil and gas properties in all the premier unconventional basins throughout the U.S. He also advises private equity funds and management teams on the formation of partnerships and other joint ventures for investment in all areas of the energy sector.

“Carl is a spectacular addition to our highly experienced oil and gas group,” said Alan Rafte, head of the firm’s energy practice. “His in-house experience, cross-border background and work with private equity firms allows us to enhance our offering to clients.”

Previously, von Merz served as 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 Mexico, Brazil and Colombia.

“Bracewell has an outstanding reputation nationally and internationally in all sectors of the energy industry,” said von Merz. “I am excited to join a firm that is growing strategically and look forward to working with my new colleagues.”

Von Merz received his B.A. cum laude from Duke University in 1999 and his J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 2003.

About Bracewell LLP

Bracewell is a leading law and government relations firm primarily serving the energy, finance and technology industries throughout the world.

Our industry focus results in comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the commercial, legal and governmental challenges faced by our clients and enables us to provide innovative solutions to facilitate transactions and resolve disputes. For more information, please visit www.bracewell.com or follow Bracewell on Twitter@BracewellLaw.