Lawyer Stavinoha Joins Latham's Houston Oil and Gas Team

Stavinoha leaves Bracewell to advise on midstream and upstream deals at Latham & Watkins

Jan. 28, 2026 at 11:07am

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John Stavinoha has joined Latham & Watkins as a partner in the firm's M&A and private equity practice in Houston. Stavinoha advises on midstream and upstream oil and gas transactions, including acquisitions, divestitures, and project development, as well as complex commercial agreements.

Why it matters

The move highlights continued activity and demand in the Houston oil and gas legal market, as firms look to bolster their energy-focused transactional capabilities to serve clients in the region.

The details

Stavinoha joins Latham & Watkins from Bracewell, where he previously worked. At Latham, he will focus on advising clients on a range of oil and gas deals and commercial agreements, including those involving gathering, transportation, processing, and storage.

  • Stavinoha joined Latham & Watkins as a partner on January 28, 2026.

The players

John Stavinoha

A partner in the M&A and private equity practice at Latham & Watkins in Houston, advising on midstream and upstream oil and gas transactions.

Latham & Watkins

An international law firm with a strong presence in the Houston energy market, expanding its oil and gas transactional capabilities with the addition of Stavinoha.

Bracewell

The law firm that Stavinoha previously worked at before joining Latham & Watkins.

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The takeaway

The hiring of Stavinoha by Latham & Watkins underscores the continued importance of the Houston energy market and the demand for experienced lawyers who can handle complex oil and gas transactions and commercial agreements.