McGuireWoods elevated Houston counsel Najwan Nayef to the firm’s partnership, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Nayef brings more than 20 years of experience in domestic and international transactions to the firm’s Energy M&A and Finance Practice Group.
Nayef advises regulated electric utilities, project developers, technology companies, industrial manufacturers and energy infrastructure owners on the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of complex energy and infrastructure projects. Her practice focuses on large-load utility infrastructure for data centers, utility-scale power generation and energy transition projects, where she handles special contracts; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements; and other key project agreements.
“Najwan’s command of complex energy and utility infrastructure transactions, combined with her international experience, makes her a tremendous asset to our clients and our corporate platform,” said Gerald V. Thomas II, McGuireWoods’ deputy managing partner and head of corporate. “Her elevation reflects the trust she has earned from clients, and we are proud to welcome her to the partnership.”
“Najwan brings deep industry knowledge and a global perspective to our practice,” added David Hornyak, chair of McGuireWoods’ Mergers & Acquisitions and Energy Transactional Department. “As clients pursue new opportunities and cross-border investments, Najwan’s judgment and international network make her an invaluable partner.”
Before joining McGuireWoods, Nayef practiced as a solicitor in Australia. She also worked for international law firms in several jurisdictions, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on that experience, she advises multinational clients across many areas of the law, including corporate transactions, foreign direct investment, energy transactions and international trade. She uses her international network of local counsel firms to help multinational clients in those regions. She is certified as a Foreign Legal Consultant by the State Bar of Texas.
“I am honored to join the McGuireWoods partnership and grateful to my colleagues for their support,” said Nayef. “I look forward to continuing my work helping clients advance projects from concept to completion and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed.”
McGuireWoods’ Energy M&A and Finance Practice Group — ranked nationally by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 United States and Best Law Firms — combines focused industry knowledge, regulatory fluency and practical, business-driven solutions to ensure clients complete strategic transactions, secure financing and advance critical projects.