Latham & Watkins LLP has expanded its mergers and acquisitions and private equity bench with the addition of Houston-based partner Christopher Heasley, who joins the firm after more than a decade at Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Heasley advises on the development, acquisition, and divestiture of complex energy, infrastructure, and technology projects across the upstream, midstream, downstream, and renewable sectors, the firm said Monday.

Speaking with Law360 Pulse on Tuesday, Heasley said the firm’s people were “the number one thing” that drew him to Latham. Leaving Kirkland, he noted, “was a really tough decision,” but the chance to leverage Latham’s global platform ultimately sealed it.

“My clients are looking for a global perspective in every jurisdiction, and that’s what I found at Latham,” he said. “The opportunity to deliver best-in-class service to my clients is what brought me here.”

Heasley praised Latham’s global transactional capabilities as “second to none” and emphasized the breadth of talent across the firm’s other practice areas that can support his clients’ needs.

His practice includes advising on joint ventures, tax equity structures, and a range of commercial transactions in both the renewables and oil-and-gas industries.

Nick Dhesi, managing partner of Latham’s Houston office, welcomed the hire, noting, “Chris is regarded as one of the top energy lawyers in Texas. His track record, broad experience, and industry relationships align with what we prioritize most — exceptional service to our clients.”

Heasley spent more than 11 years at Kirkland, according to his LinkedIn profile, and previously practiced at Baker Botts LLP. He holds a law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University.

Justin T. Stolte, global chair of Latham’s energy and infrastructure group, said Heasley will “immediately strengthen” the firm’s Texas oil-and-gas capabilities and help reinforce its market-leading position in the sector.

Paul Kukish, global co-chair of the firm’s M&A and private equity practice, added that Heasley brings “a global perspective and strong commercial experience,” noting his work on sophisticated energy and infrastructure transactions. “His arrival supports our continued expansion of the firm’s global M&A and private equity platform, particularly in the fast-growing energy and infrastructure space,” Kukish said.

Heasley’s arrival follows the firm’s recent hire of partner Max Klupchak, former general counsel of The Sterling Group, as Latham continues to build out its M&A and private equity capabilities.