JAMES L. RICE III serves as co-managing partner of Sidley’s Houston office. His practice focuses principally on transactions for energy industry participants, including companies engaged in oil and gas exploration and production (E&P), midstream activities (gas and oil), petroleum refining, petrochemicals processing, oilfield services and electric power generation.

Mr. Rice has significant experience in mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; private equity investments; bank financings; structured financings; and debt restructurings, with primary emphasis on the energy sector. He has represented public companies and special board committees in M&A transactions; major integrated oil companies in transactional matters; independent E&P companies, oilfield services providers, petroleum refiners and traders, petrochemical companies and independent power producers in M&A, A&D, joint venture, and financing activities; private equity funds and investees in energy investments; management in LBO transactions; banks and other financial institutions in E&P and other financings, including first lien/second lien and leveraged lease transactions; and issuers of debt and equity in capital markets transactions, including private placements, IPOs, Rule 144A offerings and shelf take-downs.

Mr. Rice was recognized in 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011 by Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business in the area of oil and gas. He was also recognized in the 2013-2015 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the areas of Corporate Law and Energy Law.

Mr. Rice received his B.A. in 1979 and his J.D. in 1983 from Tulane University, where he was managing editor of the Tulane Law Review. He is a member of the State Bars of Louisiana and Texas.

Mr. Rice may be reached on his mobile phone at 832.545.7162.