Mike Heidler ’07 and Danny Tobey ’03 promoted to partners at Vinson & Elkins

Houston, TX (December 29, 2015)—Vinson & Elkins announces the promotion of 10 lawyers to its partnership effective January 1, 2016, two of whom are Yale Law School graduates: Mike Heidler in Austin and Danny Tobey in Dallas.

“These lawyers have each demonstrated a strong commitment to V&E and our clients and we are excited to welcome them to the partnership,” V&E chairman Mark Kelly said. “We are confident they will continue to make significant contributions not only to their individual practice groups, but to the overall strategic objectives of the firm.”

The new partners represent eight of the firm’s key practice areas: appellate, complex commercial litigation, condemnation, energy transactions and projects, executive compensation and benefits, intellectual property, mergers and acquisitions/capital markets and real estate.

“We are pleased to recognize these lawyers for the excellent work they have done guiding our clients through complex transactions and litigation,” said V&E managing partner Scott Wulfe. “We look forward to the firm’s continued success with talented lawyers like these as part of our partnership.”

Mike Heidler's practice focuses on civil appellate law and litigation. He has experience in all stages of litigation, including arguing cases, drafting briefs, providing appellate support at trial and counseling clients on litigation strategy. Heidler has worked on oil and gas, antitrust, securities, condemnation, environmental, construction and class-action disputes. His energy-related experience includes disputes over royalty payments, implied covenants, joint operating agreements, surface use agreements and well permitting. In April 2015, Heidler was part of the team securing a victory on behalf of V&E client Valerus Compression Services LP, when a Texas appeals court ruled that Guggenheim Corporate Funding may not keep an oversized equity stake in Valerus worth as much as $34 million. Heidler serves on the board of ZACH Theatre and is Secretary/Treasurer of the Austin Bar Association's Civil Appellate Section. He received his law degree from Yale Law School in 2007 and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 2000.

Danny Tobey is a trial and appellate lawyer who has argued successfully before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Delaware Supreme Court and trial courts across Texas. His clients include energy, health care, private equity, software, environmental and airline companies, as well as major religious denominations and prominent law firms. A medical doctor, Tobey has used his experience to represent hospitals and pharmaceutical companies in matters ranging from patent disputes to tort claims. Tobey served as first-chair appellate counsel arguing before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and winning unanimous reversal and remand on a complex tax issue of first impression, winning on remand. He also led the defense of a historic religious denomination sued by a breakaway faction in a church property case in Texas state court, obtaining a multi-million dollar (net) settlement and dismissing all plaintiffs’ claims. Tobey received his M.D. from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in 2008, his law degree from Yale Law School in 2003 and his bachelor’s degree from Harvard College in 1999.