US energy leader Vinson & Elkins has elected a new managing partner and the first chairman in its history, reports the Am Law Daily.

Scott Wulfe, a corporate partner in Vinson's Houston office, will begin a two-year term as managing partner in January, while Mark Kelly, a capital markets partner also based in Houston, will start his own two-year term as the top 50 US law firm's first chairman at the same time.

Wulfe and Kelly inherit the leadership reins from longstanding Vinson managing partner Joseph Dilg. The 60-year-old Dilg, who joined the Houston-based firm in 1976 and became partner in 1983, has served as managing partner for the past 10 years.

Once the lead outside counsel for Enron, Dilg has been credited with keeping Vinson on track after the company – at the time one of the firm's largest clients – dissolved in scandal.

Kelly, who has been with Vinson for 30 years, and Wulfe, who joined 29 years ago, said the decision to move to a dual-leadership structure was driven by the two men's desire to maintain their busy practices.

"We both want to lead the firm, and keep working with our clients, keep an active practice," said Kelly. "So, for us, this made sense."

During Dilg's tenure, Vinson made a sustained international push, establishing an Asia presence by opening offices in Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Tokyo, as well as a Middle East foothold with branches in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and, most recently, in Riyadh. The firm also launched an office in Palo Alto, California, last year. Kelly and Wulfe intend to continue Dilg's efforts on that front.

Vinson currently has a seven-partner practice in London headed up by Alexander Msimang and earlier this year recruited energy and projects partner Kimberley Wood from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

"We think Joe has done a terrific job," said Kelly. "And we want to build on that, to keep expanding." Kelly says the firm is eyeing office openings in Brazil, Canada, and Denver in the near future.

Over the past year, Vinson has seen several high-profile lawyers leave the firm, including four partners who jumped to Gibson Dunn & Crutcher's Dallas office in January. Other partners departed to join the new Houston branches of Latham & Watkins and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Those defections notwithstanding, Vinson had a successful year financially in 2010, with gross revenue increasing 7.2% to $602.5m (£372m) and profits per partner rising nearly 6% to almost $1.4m (£869,000), according to Am Law 100 financial data.

The Am Law Daily is a US affiliate title of Legal Week.