Stephen D. Davis has recently joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s Houston office as a Partner in its energy and global transactions practice. Davis previously worked at Vinson & Elkins where he was a founding member of its worldwide project finance and development practice and opened its first Asian office in Singapore in 1995, managing it through 2001.

Stephen D. Davis has recently joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP’s Houston office as a Partner in its energy and global transactions practice. Davis previously worked at Vinson & Elkins where he was a founding member of its worldwide project finance and development practice and opened its first Asian office in Singapore in 1995, managing it through 2001.

Davis brings to Akin Gump tremendous global experience representing multinational clients in major transactions across a broad range of energy industries.  His work ranges from handling project finance and development-related matters for world-scale refining, petrochemical and other energy projects in Asia, Africa, the Americas and the Middle East, to guiding mergers and acquisitions, strategic joint ventures and private equity transactions on a global basis.

Over the years, Davis has spent significant time in India handling a variety of complex transactions, including the representation of Reliance Industries in connection with the development of the Jamnagar Refinery Project in Gujarat and the sale of interests in the Panna-Mukta and Tapti oil and gas fields off the West Coast of India, among others.

Christine LaFollette, Partner in Charge of Akin Gump’s Houston office, said, “Steve’s track record of leadership and success in guiding clients through large and complex energy and project financing deals speaks for itself.  His arrival complements the firm’s strategy to develop offices that actively support clients in their global activities, which are currently heavily geared towards markets, such as India, with tremendous growth potential.”

Davis added, “I am delighted to join Akin Gump and particularly to be involved in the implementation of its Asia strategy.  I have thoroughly enjoyed my work in India and on behalf of Indian clients and look forward to continued opportunities to work in the region.”

In February, Akin Gump announced that it will open an office in Hong Kong, further expanding its international footprint in Asia.