Phyllis is a recognized transactional lawyer with significant experience in finance, financial restructurings, mergers and acquisitions and other corporate matters. She routinely handles secured lending transactions, debt restructuring and complex intercreditor arrangements.
Phyllis brings a keen awareness of market terms and a solution-oriented mindset to her work. She considers legal issues from a commercial perspective and is highly sensitive to the business demands and opportunities that her clients face.
Phyllis’ clients include public and private companies, borrowers, energy companies, funds, investors and commercial banks. She has particular experience in the energy industry having served as outside general counsel to clients in the oil refining and drilling sectors, as well as the steel distribution industry.
Established a new investment structured as a debt facility for a leading capital management firm to finance a natural resources company and structured the related equity kicker. The structure of the investment was bespoke, based on specific company considerations and market terms.
Represented an energy investment fund in connection with numerous reserve-based loan facilities to borrowers in the oil and gas exploration and production industry, as well as loan facilities to oilfield services companies.
Represented leading commercial bank in connection with numerous secured, asset-based loans, including first lien and second lien structures.
Represented administrative agent in connection with $500 million syndicated first lien credit facility for public exploration and production company.
Advised a hydraulic fracturing company in securing financing to support the construction of pressure pumping equipment. The financing was critical to the client in meeting growing business demands.
Counseled a designer and manufacturer in a debt refinancing involving the deleveraging of a debt facility. The matter involved multiple jurisdictions in the United States, Asia and Europe.
Represented a public wholesale power, capacity and ancillary services company in connection with the refinancing of its $2.07 billion secured credit facility.
Represented public company, as purchaser, in connection with $800 million acquisition from U.S. public company in the oil country tubular goods industry, and subsequent spin-off of interests to joint venture entity.
Represented private equity firm in connection with acquisition of international deepwater oil and gas acreage and offshore licenses in Western Africa and spin-off to international oil and gas company.
Represented global energy trading company in connection with $42.5 million acquisition of U.S. refinery assets.
Represented leading commercial bank in connection with multiple private sale agreements and negotiation of auction agreement in connection with Chapter 7 liquidation of borrower.
Represented stalking-horse bidder in connection with 363 sale of a manufacturer and supplier of tubular drilling tools in the downhole industry.
Represented pipe distribution company in an international out-of-court restructuring of the company’s debt and principal commercial agreements.
Represented bioethanol and biodiesel company in connection with exit facility and subsequent out-of-court restructuring of its first lien/second lien debt facilities.
Member, Turnaround Management Association
Member, Houston Bar Association
Member, Dallas Bar Association
Premier Women in Law, Houston Association of Women Attorneys Foundation, 2019
Fellow, Houston Bar Foundation, 2018, 2019
Top 50 Women in Law, National Diversity Council, 2017
Member, State Bar of Texas Pro Bono College, 2012, 2014-15
President’s Award, Houston Bar Association, 2010