Overview

Chris is a mergers & acquisitions, private equity and real asset transactions partner in the Austin and Houston offices of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Chris’ practice focuses on complex transactions within the technology sector and the development, acquisition and divestiture of energy and infrastructure related projects and assets (in the upstream, midstream, downstream and renewable sectors). Chris’ transactional experience also includes advising clients in connection with the formation of joint ventures and complex energy projects, DrillCo arrangements, tax equity financings, farmout and participation agreements, transportation, supply, offtake and gathering agreements and other commercial transactions concerning the development of real assets.

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Thought Leadership

Publications 

Energy: Oil & Gas 2023, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice, August 2023

Energy: Oil & Gas 2022, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice, August 2022

Energy: Oil & Gas 2021, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice, August 2021

Dakota Access Pipeline Shutdown Order: What Happened and What’s Next, Energy Law Report, November 2020

Implications for the Energy Industry in Light of the U.S. Supreme Court Decision in McGirt v. Oklahoma, Energy Law Report, November 2020

Energy: Oil & Gas 2020, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice

Oil And Gas Shut-Ins Risk Royalty Litigation, Law360, April 17, 2020

Dwindling Oil Storage Capacity and Impacts on Energy Companies, The Texas Lawbook, April 3, 2020

Energy: Oil & Gas 2019, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice

INSIGHT: Price Stabilization, Private Equity Engagement to Bolster Oil & Gas M&A Activity, Bloomberg Environment and Energy Report, October 4, 2018

Applying Title Defects Under a Typical Purchase Agreement, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, September 2018

Dealing with Midstream Commitments or Acquisitions as a Private Equity Purchaser, Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation, April 2018

Energy: Oil & Gas 2018, Chambers and Partners: Law and Practice, July 2017

Trends and Issues with 'DrillCo' Transactions, Texas Lawyer, November 5, 2015

Seminars

“How Secure Is Your Performance Security? Performance Bonds, Parent Guarantees, and Letters of Credit,” The Foundation of Natural Resources and Energy Law Institute, July 21, 2023

“Applying Title Defects Under a Typical Purchase Agreement,” RMMLF Due Diligence in Oil & Gas and Mining Transactions, September 28, 2018

“Dealing with Midstream Commitments or Acquisitions as a Private Equity Purchaser,” RMMLF Midstream Oil & Gas from the Upstream Perspective, April 24, 2018

“Gathering Agreements - Nuts and Bolts,” CLE presentation to BHP Billiton, Houston, April 14, 2016

Recognition

Recognized for Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) (USA) by Chambers Global, 2022–2024 

Recognized as "Texas Rising Star" by Super Lawyers, 2021–2023 

Recognized for Energy: Oil & Gas (Transactional) (USA) by Chambers USA, 2021–2023

Recognized for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas by The Legal 500 United States, 2021–2023

Recognized for M&A: Large Deals ($1bn+) by The Legal 500 United States, 2019–2020

Recognized for Energy Transactions: Conventional Power by The Legal 500 United States, 2019

Memberships & Affiliations

University of Chicago Law School Corporate Lab Alumni Advisory Board, Member

Houston Bar Association

Houston Young Lawyer Association

Houston Food Bank F.R.E.S.H. Young Professionals, Board Member

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • Texas

Education

  • University of Chicago Law SchoolJ.D.with Honors

    Transactional Law Fellow

    Joseph E. Green Scholarship

    Edmund A. Spencer Scholarship

    Corporate Lab Clinic, Director

  • The George Washington UniversityB.A., International Affairs & Political Sciencemagna cum laude