With the prices of oil and natural gas higher now than at the beginning of 2021, and activity increasing in hydrocarbon and alternative energy projects, 2021 was a strong year for Texas lawyers working deals in the energy sector.

"2021 was a great year to be an energy lawyer," said Wesley Williams, a partner in Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld in Houston who is a leader of the energy team.

"We saw a big uptick in public and private M&A, private equity picking up assets," fueled by an uptick in commodity prices over the course of the year in both oil and natural gas, he said.