Vinson & Elkins handled the largest initial public offering of 2005 and ranked first in two statistical categories of The American Lawyer's Corporate Scorecard, which tracks the transactional practices of the nation's leading law firms annually.
 
V&E; ranked No. 1 in the "IPOs, Issuer's Counsel" category based on the number of issues in 2005 (9), and placed second when ranked by proceeds of those issues ($2.93 billion).
 
As part of that category, the firm was recognized by the magazine for being issuer's counsel for the year's largest IPO, a $1.4 billion offering from Huntsman Corp., a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and commodity chemicals.
 
V&E; also led the nation's law firms in "Equities by U.S. Corporations, Excluding IPOs, Issuer's Counsel" (32 issues) and ranked second by proceeds ($6.23 billion), according to The American Lawyer.
 
In addition, the firm placed among the top 10 in the nation for High-Yield Debt, Issuer's Counsel (number of issues); High-Yield Debt, Underwriter's Counsel (number of issues); Municipal Bonds, Bond Counsel (proceeds of issues); and Equities by U.S. Corporations, Excluding IPOs, Underwriter's Counsel (number of issues).

Corporate Scorecard was published in the April issue of The American Lawyer, the nation's leading monthly legal magazine.

Other V&E; ranking highlights from the Corporate Scorecard follow:

• 11th for Mergers and Acquisitions, Counsel to Principals (number of deals)
• 11th for High-Yield Debt, Issuer's Counsel (proceeds of issues)
• 11th for Municipal Bonds, Underwriter's Counsel (number of issues)
• 12th for High-Yield Debt, Underwriter's Counsel (proceeds of issues)
• 13th for IPO, Underwriter's Counsel (number and proceeds of issues)
• 13th for Equities by U.S. Corporations, Excluding IPOs, Underwriter's Counsel (proceeds of issues)
• 18th for Municipal Bonds, Underwriter's Counsel (proceeds of issues)
• 19th for Municipal Bonds, Bond Counsel (number of issues)
• 22nd for Investment-Grade Debt, Underwriter's Counsel (number of issues)
• 23rd for Mergers and Acquisitions, Counsel to Principals (value of deals)
• 24th for Investment-Grade Debt, Underwriter's Counsel (proceeds of issues)

Vinson & Elkins has the most lawyers in the nation listed in the practice areas of Antitrust, Corporate, Energy, Health Care, International Arbitration, International Trade and Finance, and Public Finance Law in the 2006 edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Further, the firm has more lawyers named in the guide than any other Texas-based firm as well as the most lawyers listed in Antitrust, Commercial Litigation, Corporate, Employee Benefits, Energy, Health Care, International Arbitration, International Trade and Finance, Natural Resources, Public Finance, and Tax Law in the state of Texas.  The 2006 guide, considered by both the legal profession and corporate in-house counsel as a leading resource for legal excellence, lists 166 Vinson & Elkins lawyers.  Forty-six of these lawyers have been listed at least 10 years.  Eight firm lawyers have been listed at least 20 years.

The Best Lawyers in America lists attorneys in 52 specialty areas who have been chosen through an exhaustive and confidential survey of the nation's top lawyers. The 2006 Best Lawyers edition is based on more than 1.5 million  peer evaluations. The new edition marks the first annual publication of Best Lawyers in America, which has previously been published biennially. 

For the full list of Vinson & Elkins Best Lawyers in America, click here .

Vinson & Elkins is listed #2 in the recent Capitol Inside Texas Lobby Power Rankings 2006. The publication claims "[t]he eyes of Austin" will focus on V&E;'s lobby practice for reasons that include "hall of fame" Joe Bill Watkins, the additions of former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk and Bill Jones, who "inject new blood" into the firm's lobby practice, and "the recent alliance with all-star lobbyists" Bill Messer and Mike Toomey.

Vinson & Elkins' Oil & Gas practice is ranked #1 in the recently released 2006 edition of Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers. V&E; also ranked highly in 11 other categories including: 2nd in Energy: Regulatory (USA), Intellectual Property (USA), Tax (USA); 3rd in Banking & Finance (USA), Energy: Electricity (USA), Energy & Natural Resources (United Kingdom); and 4th in International Arbitration (Global), Banking & Finance (United Arab Emirates), Corporate/M&A; (USA), Projects (Global), and WTO/International Trade (USA).

Entry in this guide is based solely on market recommendations. Chambers' researchers spent a year canvassing clients and lawyers to obtain a consistent market view of which firms and attorneys are considered leaders in their field. Over 5,300 in addition to the many interviews with lawyers were conducted.

Vinson & Elkins lawyers are distinguished nationally and ranked at the top of the charts in Texas, according to the 2006 Chambers USA Guide, which rates America's leading lawyers for business.

Ninety-four V&E; attorneys are identified as leaders in their field in the latest edition of the world-renowned guide, including one star performer, Joe Dilg, who Chambers USA heralds as the “dynamic and visionary engine of the team.”

Overall, Vinson & Elkins earned high honors nationally in Projects; Government: Government Contracts; Capital Markets: Debt & Equity (excluding West Coast); International Arbitration; and International Trade.

In addition, the firm was at the top of the charts in Texas, receiving No. 1 rankings in Antitrust; Banking & Finance; Corporate/M&A; Employment: Mainly Defendant; Energy & Natural Resources; Energy & Natural Resources: Dispute Resolution; Environment; Healthcare; Intellectual Property; Litigation: General Commercial; Projects; Real Estate; Tax; and Technology & IT Outsourcing. Rounding out Texas, V&E; was rated as one of the best for Insurance and Bankruptcy & Restructuring.

The firm also ranked highly in the District of Columbia for Energy: Oil and Gas; Environment; Healthcare; Litigation; Projects; Telecom, Broadcast & Satellite: Regulatory; and Energy: Electricity. In New York, V&E; listed among top firms for its Energy & Natural Resources practice.

Chambers interviews thousands of clients and lawyers annually across the United States to assess the reputations and expertise of business lawyers and law firms for its guide. Law firms and individual attorneys are assessed based on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial awareness/astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by the client.  For a full listing of V&E;’s ranked lawyers and practice areas, follow this link.

Vinson & Elkins is named in the top 15 firms for most mentions in Corporate Counsel’s 2006 “Defending and Protecting: Who Represents America’s Biggest Companies.” Since 2001, Corporate Counsel has conducted this survey of general counsels at the Fortune 250. Over 90 companies were interviewed and a total of 380 law firms named of “primary” outside counsel in the areas of corporate transactions, litigation, labor and employment, and intellectual property.

Corporate Counsel is a monthly magazine for corporate legal departments and outside counsel.  "Who Represents America's Biggest Companies" results are based on surveys sent to corporate in-house legal departments querying them regarding their primary outside counsel in the combined areas of litigation, corporate transactions, intellectual property, labor and employment, and corporate governance.

• Project Finance:  London
• Corporate:  US
• Dispute Resolution:  US
• Project Finance and Energy:  US

Euromoney's 2005 Guide to the World's Leading Energy and Natural Resource Lawyers named 17 V&E; lawyers from six offices, more than any other law firm in the world.  V&E; partner Bruce Bilger received more nominations than any other lawyer in the U.S. Other V&E; lawyers who received nominations include:  David Andril, Marcia Backus, Larry Barbour, Boyd Carano, Platt Davis, Steve Davis, Paul Deemer, Joe Dilg, Carol Dinkins, Lewis Jones, Alexander Msimang, Jay Seegers, Mark Spivak, Chris Strong, Cliff Vrielink, and Dirk Walker.

The information was compiled from an 18-month research process in over 60 jurisdictions, which included a questionnaire-based survey and interviews with in-house counsel and pre-eminent practitioners.  Since the guide's inception in 1995, V&E; has had more individual lawyers named in this peer-selected review than any other firm.

• Bruce Blefeld
• Nicole Clark
• Dorene Cohen
• John Connally
• Timothy Divetski
• John Edmonds
• Gregory Etzel
• Vanessa Griffith
• Lauren Harrison
• Kenneth Held
• Michael Holmes
• Thad Jenks
• Adam Kramer
• Keith Lapeze
• Cary Loughman
• Charles McFarland
• Duston McFaul
• Douglas McWiliams
• Jason Powers
• Robert Rabalais
• Denise Scofield
• Daniel Shilliday
• Cliff Vrielink

Infrastructure Journal's 2005 Year End League Tables named Vinson & Elkins the #1 law firm in the world for number of closed deals and mandates won. V&E; is also #1 in North America for number of closed deals and for value and number of mandates won. The firm continues its #1 placement in the Oil & Gas (by number of closed deals), Water (by number of closed deals), and Mining (by number of mandates won) sectors.

In addition, V&E; was named as one of the top five firms in the following categories based on closed deals:

• North America by value
• Latin America by number
• Asia by number
• Oil & Gas by value
• Power by number
• Transport by number
• Water by value
• Mining by number

Further, the firm received top five placement for mandates won in the following categories:

• Global by value
• Asia by number and value
• Oil & Gas by number and value
• Power by number and value
• Transport by number and value
• Mining by value

The International Tax Review listed Vinson & Elkins as a top tier firm in its World Tax 2006 guide.  Top tier "rankings are the firms which have the greatest depth of resources, experiences, and range of specialisms. They are considered the best teams overall for tax advice...."

Additionally four V&E; partners were identified as leading individuals:

• Judith M. Blissard
• George M. Gerachis
• Edward C. Osterberg
• Glen A. Rosenbaum

International Tax Review's researchers and journalists conducted nearly 3000 interviews for World Tax 2006.

Vinson & Elkins features prominently in the recently published 2005 Edition of The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, with 25 lawyers recommended for excellence in 14 practice areas. 

Our U.S. partners Carol Dinkins and Kevin Gaynor are listed among 18 lawyers worldwide as "Most Highly Regarded Individuals" for Environmental work.  V&E; is the only Texas-based firm to have two lawyers named to this list. 

Beijing-based partner Paul Deemer is listed among 11 lawyers worldwide, and is the only one named in Asia, as "Most Highly Regarded Individuals" for Oil & Gas practice. 

Vinson & Elkins is listed as a “Best Represented Law Firm” in the world and in Texas for its Environmental Practice, with commentary that noted, “Vinson & Elkins is, according to our findings, the leading firm for environment expertise in Texas.”

For Competition Law, Vinson & Elkins is a “Best Represented Law Firm” for Competition in the U.S. (excluding New York and District of Columbia).  V&E; is the only Texas-based firm to receive a “Best Represented” designation, in any locale, for this category.

V&E; is also listed as a “Best Represented Law Firm” in the U.S. for Oil & Gas.

The V&E; lawyers recommended for excellence in The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers are:

Christopher Amandes  (Environment; Texas)

Bruce R. Bilger  (Oil & Gas and Project Finance; Texas)

Molly Cagle  (Environment; Texas)

Jeffrey A. Chapman  (Corporate Governance; Texas)

James L. Cuclis  (Oil & Gas; Texas)

William Dawson  (Commercial Litigation; Texas)

Paul C. Deemer  (Oil & Gas; China)

Joseph C. Dilg  (Oil & Gas; Texas)

Carol E. Dinkins  (Environment; Texas)

Kevin A. Gaynor  (Environment; District of Columbia)

Neil W. Imus  (Competition; District of Columbia)

W. Carl Jordan  (Labor & Employment; Texas)

David R. Keyes  (Banking; Texas)

William L. LaFuze  (Patents; Texas)

Knox D. Nunnally  (Product Liability; Texas)

Edward C. Osterberg, Jr.  (Corporate Texas; Texas)

Harry M. Reasoner  (Competition and Commercial Litigation; Texas)

Henry M. Rivera  (Regulatory Communications; District of Columbia)

William D. Sims, Jr.  (Product Liability; Texas)

Mark H. Tuohey  (Business Crime; District of Columbia)

Allan Van Fleet  (Competition; Texas)

Sanford A. Weiner  (Real Estate; Texas)

Phillip D. Weller (Real Estate; Texas)

Michael D. Wortley  (Corporate Governance; Texas)

William D. Young  (Banking: Texas)

The LIVEDGAR 2004 Deal Rankings, published by Global Securities Information Inc. (GSI), ranked Vinson & Elkins fourth in serving as issuer counsel for equity by number of issues with 34 issues totaling $3.9 billion in net proceeds. The survey is based on filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission with estimated transaction values disclosed by the filing party. Vinson & Elkins' corporate practice was ranked in several other categories including: 

Rank Category:

• 11th - Underwriter Counsel, Equity ranked by number of issues with 24 issues and $3.7 billion in net proceeds
• 18th - Acquirer Counsel, M&A;, ranked by total transaction value with 24 deals and $13.6 billion in total transaction value
• 20th - Underwriter Counsel, Debt ranked by number of issues with 5 issues and $1.7 billion in net proceeds
• 23rd - Underwriter Counsel, IPOs ranked by number of issues with 3 issues and $497 million in net proceeds

Loan Pricing Corporation's year end 2005 league tables ranked Vinson & Elkins among the top five firms nationally for syndicated loans for both leveraged and M&A; transactions based on number of deals.  The firm ranked well in the other overall categories:

• 7th All Top Tier Roles by Number of Deals
• 8th All Top Tier Roles Leveraged by Volume
• 10th All Top Tier Roles by Volume
• 12th All Top Tier Roles M&A; by Volume

Additionally, VE placed highly in the following subcategories in LPC's 2005 league tables:

• 2nd Borrower by Number of Deals
• 2nd Borrower M&A; by Number of Deals
• 4th Borrower Leveraged by Number of Deals
• 6th Borrower Leveraged by Volume
• 9th Lender Lead Arranger Leveraged by Number of Deals
• 10th Lender Lead Arranger Leveraged by Volume
• 10th Lender Lead Arranger M&A; by Volume
• 10th Lender Lead Arranger M&A; by Number of Deals
• 11th Borrower by Volume
• 12th Lender Lead Arranger by Number of Deals
• 14th Lender Lead Arranger by Volume
• 18th Borrower M&A; by Volume

PLC Which lawyer? named Vinson & Elkins tops in several categories in its Yearbook 2005.  V&E; is listed as a leading law firm in Company and Corporate Transactions in Austin and Houston, Dispute Resolution in Dallas and Houston, and Energy in Houston and Washington, DC.  The firm was also listed as Highly Recommended in Company and Corporate Transactions in Dallas.  VE ranked as a recommended firm in Energy and Projects in England and Competition/Anti-trust and Communications – Regulatory in Washington DC.

Several VE lawyers received individual recognition as well.  Leading individuals include Bruce R. Bilger, William B. Dawson, Harry M. Reasoner, and William D. Sims, Jr.  Highly Recommended lawyers include Joseph C. Dilg, T. Mark Kelly, Allan Van Fleet, and Robert C. Walters.  Recommended lawyers consist of C. Michael Harrington, Neil W. Imus, and Henry M. Rivera.

PLC Which lawyer? is an online resource based on independent and objective research primarily among in-house counsel. It identifies the leading lawyers and law firms practicing in the core areas of commercial law in over 70 jurisdictions around the world.

PrivateRaise listed Vinson & Elkins in the top ten nationwide among law firms representing issuers in its 3rd Quarter 2005 league table.  The rankings are based on value and number of private placements of equity and equity-linked securities (PIPEs)executed by public companies from January 1 - September 30, 2005.

The La Paloma transaction was named the 2005 "Power Deal of the Year (Americas)" by Project Finance International in itsYearbook 2006.  Vinson & Elkins represented Complete Energy Holdings, LLC and its affiliate La Paloma Acquisition Co., LLC in connection with the acquisition of La Paloma Generating Company, LLC, which owns a 1, 022 MW gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in California. "The financing blended the leveraged finance and project finance markets. Access to both markets created a broad and diverse participation of bank and institutional investors, which maximized benefit to the market and provided best execution to the sponsor."

The October 2006 issue of Texas Monthly magazine names 107 V&E; lawyers as Texas Super Lawyers. This prestigious list represents the top five percent of lawyers in the state. The results were compiled from more than 66,000 ballots distributed to lawyers across Texas. Polled lawyers were asked to nominate the best of their peers, based on first-hand knowledge. The final results list attorneys in more than 60 areas of practice.

For a list of the lawyers named, please click here.

Thomson Financial ranks Vinson & Elkins as the top U.S. Equity and Equity-related legal advisor for Issuers during 2005, with proceeds of approximately $9.5 billion from 44 deals.

V&E;'s securities practice is ranked among the top four firms serving as Issuer Legal Advisor in Initial Public and Convertible Offerings, Equity Issuance, and Common Stock:

• 2nd - Global Initial Public Offerings by U.S. Issuer Legal Advisor for Issuer Legal Advisor with proceeds of $2.9 billion from 9 deals
• 2nd - U.S. Initial Public Offerings for Issuer Legal Advisor with proceeds of $3.3 billion from 12 deals
• 3rd – U.S. Convertible Offerings for Issuer Legal Advisor with proceeds of $2.5 billion from 8 deals
• 3rd - Global Equity Issuance by U.S. Issuers for Issuer Legal Advisor with proceeds of $6.6 billion from 33 deals
• 3rd – U.S. Common Stock for Issuer Legal Advisor with proceeds of $6.7 billion from 36 deals

Thomson Financial rankings and volume totals include all new issues activity during the period from January 1 – December 31, 2005.