Christopher G.Cottrell
Partner
Corporate
ccottrell@seyfarth.com
“For me, it is about understanding the business behind the deal—meeting clients where they are, anticipating challenges, and crafting solutions that move the ball forward. What are their goals? How can we turn complexity into opportunity? It is about partnership, strategy, and results.”
More About Christopher
Chris is a strategic advisor and dealmaker with deep experience in energy transactions and private equity investments. He counsels clients on complex acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, providing practical and results-driven legal solutions that align with business objectives.
With a background that blends legal acumen and industry experience, Chris has spent his career guiding clients through the intricacies of complex energy transactions. He represents private equity firms, family offices, and energy companies across the upstream, midstream, and oilfield services sectors.
Chris began his career at a large, privately held E&P company, where he worked in several commercial capacities, and then joined an elite energy M&A team at two Am Law 50 global law firms. This dual perspective enables him to structure deals that mitigate risk, create value, and drive operational efficiencies.
At Seyfarth, Chris leads the Energy Transactions practice. He collaborates across disciplines to deliver tailored legal strategies that support clients’ growth and investment goals. His commitment to client service is reflected in his hands-on approach, responsiveness, and ability to drive deals forward.
Chris is also actively engaged in the Houston energy community, fostering relationships with industry leaders and staying at the forefront of market trends.
With a background that blends legal acumen and industry experience, Chris has spent his career guiding clients through the intricacies of complex energy transactions. He represents private equity firms, family offices, and energy companies across the upstream, midstream, and oilfield services sectors.
Chris began his career at a large, privately held E&P company, where he worked in several commercial capacities, and then joined an elite energy M&A team at two Am Law 50 global law firms. This dual perspective enables him to structure deals that mitigate risk, create value, and drive operational efficiencies.
At Seyfarth, Chris leads the Energy Transactions practice. He collaborates across disciplines to deliver tailored legal strategies that support clients’ growth and investment goals. His commitment to client service is reflected in his hands-on approach, responsiveness, and ability to drive deals forward.
Chris is also actively engaged in the Houston energy community, fostering relationships with industry leaders and staying at the forefront of market trends.
- JD, South Texas College of Law
- BA, Austin College
- Texas
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture focused on the development of a natural gas microgrid.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company as outside general counsel in connection with general corporate governance and contractual matters related to the operation and development of its upstream oil and gas assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture involving oil and gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Represented a renewable energy developer in negotiating transportation agreements for federally regulated refined products.
- Represented a family office in structuring a joint venture to acquire, develop, and exploit oil and gas assets.
- Represented a multi-national foreign company in the acquisition of mineral assets located in the Barnett Basin.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company as outside general counsel in post-closing corporate restructuring matters related to a carbon capture joint venture.
- Represented a nonoperated working interest owner in its divestiture of its assets in the Williston Basin.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company in its acquisition of producing assets in the Williston Basin.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company as outside general counsel on corporate governance and material commercial agreements.
- Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of conventional East Texas assets from a super major.
- Represented a privately held midstream company as outside general counsel on corporate governance and material commercial agreements.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company in its private placement to secure investor capital in connection with the acquisition and development of upstream and midstream oil and gas assets located on federal lands in Wyoming.
- Represented a family office in the divestiture of its nonoperated working interest located in the Williston Basin.
- Represented the produced water division of a publicly traded master limited partnership in connection with material commercial agreements and joint ventures.
- Represented a public company with respect to the negotiation of a joint venture to refine lithium.
- Represented a privately held Calgary-based midstream company in the negotiation of material commercial agreements related to the transportation, refining, and sale of hydrocarbons.
- Represented a publicly traded energy company in the acquisition of a publicly traded overriding royalty trust.
- Represented a publicly traded energy company in its divestiture of upstream oil and gas assets located in Colorado.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in its acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in the formation of a joint venture for produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in its acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a foreign consortium of infrastructure investors in their acquisition of a 50% ownership interest in a US refined products pipeline.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in the acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the divestiture of its midstream assets to a publicly traded company.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a producer-midstream joint venture.
- Represented a European-based oil and gas company in the formation of a joint venture to develop onshore oil and gas assets located in California.
- Represented a group of institutional investors in the purchase of asset-backed securities associated with producing trona mineral assets located in Wyoming.
- Represented a private equity firm in the sale of asset-backed securities associated with producing mineral assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company with oil and gas assets in securing a reserve based loan.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company with midstream assets in securing a credit facility.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in securing a credit facility.
- Represented a private equity firm in the acquisition of oil and gas assets in a 363 sale.
- Represented a secured creditor in a Chapter 11 case involving the sale of oil and gas assets located in Oklahoma.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture to drill oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Represented a foreign family office in the negotiation of a minority investment in a US-based oil and gas company.
- Represented a publicly traded mining company in numerous commercial initiatives to optimize its energy portfolio.
Related News & Insights
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Legal Update
Feb 12, 2025
Navigating the New Energy Landscape: Key Takeaways from Trump's Recent Executive Actions
-
Legal Update
Jan 30, 2025
The Winning Way to Programmatic M&A in Oil & Gas
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Media Mentions
01/08/2024
Chris Cottrell Discusses Potential Increase of Midstream Deals in Mergermarket
-
Legal Update
Jan 6, 2025
From Waste to Wealth: Navigating the Ownership of Produced Water and Lithium in Texas
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Corporate Law, Oil and Gas Law (2023-2025), and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024-2025)
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (Thomson Reuters) (2022-2024)
- Lone Star Legal Aid's Commitment to Pro Bono Award Honoree (2023)
- Listed as a “Key Lawyer” by The Legal 500 for Energy Transactions, Oil and Gas (Legalese Ltd.) (2021)
- Co-Author, “Navigating the New Energy Landscape: Key Takeaways from Trump's Recent Executive Actions,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 12, 2025)
- Co-Author, “The Winning Way to Programmatic M&A in Oil & Gas,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2025)
- Co-Author, “From Waste to Wealth: Navigating the Ownership of Produced Water and Lithium in Texas,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 6, 2025)
- Co-Author, “2025 Vision: Adapting Legal Teams for the Evolving Energy Landscape,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Energy Industry Outlook: Navigating Potential Policy Shifts in a Second Trump Administration,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 25, 2024)
“For me, it is about understanding the business behind the deal—meeting clients where they are, anticipating challenges, and crafting solutions that move the ball forward. What are their goals? How can we turn complexity into opportunity? It is about partnership, strategy, and results.”
More About Christopher
Chris is a strategic advisor and dealmaker with deep experience in energy transactions and private equity investments. He counsels clients on complex acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, providing practical and results-driven legal solutions that align with business objectives.
With a background that blends legal acumen and industry experience, Chris has spent his career guiding clients through the intricacies of complex energy transactions. He represents private equity firms, family offices, and energy companies across the upstream, midstream, and oilfield services sectors.
Chris began his career at a large, privately held E&P company, where he worked in several commercial capacities, and then joined an elite energy M&A team at two Am Law 50 global law firms. This dual perspective enables him to structure deals that mitigate risk, create value, and drive operational efficiencies.
At Seyfarth, Chris leads the Energy Transactions practice. He collaborates across disciplines to deliver tailored legal strategies that support clients’ growth and investment goals. His commitment to client service is reflected in his hands-on approach, responsiveness, and ability to drive deals forward.
Chris is also actively engaged in the Houston energy community, fostering relationships with industry leaders and staying at the forefront of market trends.
With a background that blends legal acumen and industry experience, Chris has spent his career guiding clients through the intricacies of complex energy transactions. He represents private equity firms, family offices, and energy companies across the upstream, midstream, and oilfield services sectors.
Chris began his career at a large, privately held E&P company, where he worked in several commercial capacities, and then joined an elite energy M&A team at two Am Law 50 global law firms. This dual perspective enables him to structure deals that mitigate risk, create value, and drive operational efficiencies.
At Seyfarth, Chris leads the Energy Transactions practice. He collaborates across disciplines to deliver tailored legal strategies that support clients’ growth and investment goals. His commitment to client service is reflected in his hands-on approach, responsiveness, and ability to drive deals forward.
Chris is also actively engaged in the Houston energy community, fostering relationships with industry leaders and staying at the forefront of market trends.
- JD, South Texas College of Law
- BA, Austin College
- Texas
Related Services
Related Key Industries
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture focused on the development of a natural gas microgrid.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company as outside general counsel in connection with general corporate governance and contractual matters related to the operation and development of its upstream oil and gas assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture involving oil and gas assets in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Represented a renewable energy developer in negotiating transportation agreements for federally regulated refined products.
- Represented a family office in structuring a joint venture to acquire, develop, and exploit oil and gas assets.
- Represented a multi-national foreign company in the acquisition of mineral assets located in the Barnett Basin.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company as outside general counsel in post-closing corporate restructuring matters related to a carbon capture joint venture.
- Represented a nonoperated working interest owner in its divestiture of its assets in the Williston Basin.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company in its acquisition of producing assets in the Williston Basin.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company as outside general counsel on corporate governance and material commercial agreements.
- Represented a private equity firm in its acquisition of conventional East Texas assets from a super major.
- Represented a privately held midstream company as outside general counsel on corporate governance and material commercial agreements.
- Represented a privately held oil and gas company in its private placement to secure investor capital in connection with the acquisition and development of upstream and midstream oil and gas assets located on federal lands in Wyoming.
- Represented a family office in the divestiture of its nonoperated working interest located in the Williston Basin.
- Represented the produced water division of a publicly traded master limited partnership in connection with material commercial agreements and joint ventures.
- Represented a public company with respect to the negotiation of a joint venture to refine lithium.
- Represented a privately held Calgary-based midstream company in the negotiation of material commercial agreements related to the transportation, refining, and sale of hydrocarbons.
- Represented a publicly traded energy company in the acquisition of a publicly traded overriding royalty trust.
- Represented a publicly traded energy company in its divestiture of upstream oil and gas assets located in Colorado.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in its acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in the formation of a joint venture for produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in its acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a foreign consortium of infrastructure investors in their acquisition of a 50% ownership interest in a US refined products pipeline.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in the acquisition of produced water gathering and disposal assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the divestiture of its midstream assets to a publicly traded company.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a producer-midstream joint venture.
- Represented a European-based oil and gas company in the formation of a joint venture to develop onshore oil and gas assets located in California.
- Represented a group of institutional investors in the purchase of asset-backed securities associated with producing trona mineral assets located in Wyoming.
- Represented a private equity firm in the sale of asset-backed securities associated with producing mineral assets.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company with oil and gas assets in securing a reserve based loan.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company with midstream assets in securing a credit facility.
- Represented a publicly traded master limited partnership in securing a credit facility.
- Represented a private equity firm in the acquisition of oil and gas assets in a 363 sale.
- Represented a secured creditor in a Chapter 11 case involving the sale of oil and gas assets located in Oklahoma.
- Represented a private equity-backed portfolio company in the formation of a joint venture to drill oil and gas wells in the Gulf of Mexico.
- Represented a foreign family office in the negotiation of a minority investment in a US-based oil and gas company.
- Represented a publicly traded mining company in numerous commercial initiatives to optimize its energy portfolio.
Related News & Insights
-
Legal Update
Feb 12, 2025
Navigating the New Energy Landscape: Key Takeaways from Trump's Recent Executive Actions
-
Legal Update
Jan 30, 2025
The Winning Way to Programmatic M&A in Oil & Gas
-
Media Mentions
01/08/2024
Chris Cottrell Discusses Potential Increase of Midstream Deals in Mergermarket
-
Legal Update
Jan 6, 2025
From Waste to Wealth: Navigating the Ownership of Produced Water and Lithium in Texas
- Recognized as a "Ones to Watch" lawyer by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Corporate Law, Oil and Gas Law (2023-2025), and Mergers and Acquisitions Law (2024-2025)
- Selected to the Texas Super Lawyers Rising Stars list (Thomson Reuters) (2022-2024)
- Lone Star Legal Aid's Commitment to Pro Bono Award Honoree (2023)
- Listed as a “Key Lawyer” by The Legal 500 for Energy Transactions, Oil and Gas (Legalese Ltd.) (2021)
- Co-Author, “Navigating the New Energy Landscape: Key Takeaways from Trump's Recent Executive Actions,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (February 12, 2025)
- Co-Author, “The Winning Way to Programmatic M&A in Oil & Gas,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 30, 2025)
- Co-Author, “From Waste to Wealth: Navigating the Ownership of Produced Water and Lithium in Texas,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (January 6, 2025)
- Co-Author, “2025 Vision: Adapting Legal Teams for the Evolving Energy Landscape,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (December 17, 2024)
- Co-Author, “Energy Industry Outlook: Navigating Potential Policy Shifts in a Second Trump Administration,” Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (November 25, 2024)