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HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP’s patents and trademark practices have been recognized in Managing Intellectual Property’s 2027 IP Stars directory. Seven of the firm’s intellectual property lawyers earned individual rankings this year. Bracewell also secured two Texas practice rankings for patent prosecution and trademarks. Michael Chibib, Austin – United States and Texas Conor M. Civins, Austin – United States and Texas Constance Gall Rhebergen, Houston – United States and Texas Douglas F.

HOUSTON – Bracewell LLP has been named a finalist for Energy Legal Services Provider of the Year as part of the 2026 Gulf Energy Information Excellence Awards. Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Houston on October 15. Bracewell was the inaugural recipient of this award, winning the category in 2023.

A new round of tariffs covering nearly all US imports is creating renewed uncertainty for companies already navigating a rapidly shifting trade landscape. While legal challenges are underway, trade practitioners caution that the latest measures rest on firmer statutory footing than the tariffs the Supreme Court previously struck down, making near-term relief less likely.

SAN ANTONIO – Bracewell LLP partner Summer B. Greathouse has been named a member of the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers’ (TAAHP) Board of Directors for 2026-2027. New members were installed and took the oath of office at the Annual TAAHP Meeting held July 20 in Austin, Texas.

A proposed Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule would eliminate federal notice-and-comment requirements for certain “minor” air permits, potentially allowing states to streamline approvals for projects such as data centers, power plants and other infrastructure developments. Supporters say EPA’s change would give states greater flexibility and accelerate permitting, while critics argue it could reduce opportunities for public engagement in communities affected by new projects.

Read a French language version of this update. The publication of the decree on Multiannual Energy Program (PPE 3) on 12 February 2026, after several years of delays, marks a pivotal milestone by finally establishing a planning framework for the 2026–2035 period.

The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) developed its new batch interconnection process to manage an unprecedented wave of power demand from data centers, liquefied natural gas facilities, manufacturing projects and other large-load developments seeking access to the grid.

Democrats are reframing energy policy ahead of the midterm elections, emphasizing affordability and cost-of-living concerns over traditional climate-focused messaging. As energy prices, grid reliability and electricity demand become increasingly salient political issues, party leaders are tying energy policy proposals to broader concerns about household costs and economic security.

Jason Lewis and Michael Brooks will present on “Compliance and Contracts: Key Compliance Considerations Related to Commodities and Derivatives Contracts” at the International Energy Credit Association 2026 Annual Conference. This panel will explore the key legal and compliance considerations involved in structuring energy and environmental commodity transactions.

Michael Brooks will present on “Under the Microscope: Attorney Ethics in Managing FERC and CFTC Investigations” at the International Energy Credit Association 2026 Annual Conference. When a government inquiry begins, legal and ethical obligations arise immediately and they do not always align. This panel will examine the professional responsibility issues that arise throughout FERC and CFTC investigations, from the earliest signs of potential misconduct through resolution.