Vinson & Elkins LLP began in Houston, Texas, as a two man partnership in 1917, when James A. Elkins and William A. Vinson joined professional forces with a studied eye to the future. Both men were ambitious to establish a law firm that would endure, and offer other lawyers the opportunity to prosper and achieve their goals. Vinson recalled the founding partners' fateful decision to merge in this way: "We chatted awhile, and a sudden thought struck me-Here is your man!" Vinson asked, "How would you like to come to Houston?" Elkins replied: "That is the ambition of my life, make me a proposition." The proposition was a partnership, and Elkins' response was unhesitating: "I accept." This was the beginning of Vinson & Elkins LLP.
In those days, the oil boom was already transforming Texas and the world, and Houston was home to much of the energy industry's activity. V&E "cut its teeth" on oil and gas matters, and remains one of the world's leading energy law firms. Today, the firm has expanded its practices to include Mergers and Acquisitions, Aviation, Environmental, Finance, and more. And as the marketplace has become global, Vinson & Elkins continues to expand globally, with offices in Abu Dhabi, Austin, Dallas, Houston, New York, Washington, Beijing, Dubai, Hong Kong, London, Moscow, Palo Alto, Riyadh, San Francisco, Shanghai and Tokyo, with more than 700 lawyers serving clients worldwide.
For almost a century, Vinson & Elkins lawyers have provided innovative business solutions for clients whose needs are as diverse as the entities they represent. In today's challenging environment of global markets, volatile economies, and complex human and environmental issues, our law firm’s time-tested role as trusted advisor has become even more critical. The depth and breadth of V&E lawyers' experience, combined with the responsiveness and efficiencies of the firm's global reach, enables Vinson & Elkins to serve clients from start-up, to the negotiating table and boardroom, before legislative and regulatory bodies, in the courtroom, and beyond.