Pillsbury Expands Texas Corporate, Energy Transactions Bench with Three More Houston Attorneys

“Pillsbury is thrilled to welcome Daniel, Blake and Frank to our corporate practice as Texas continues to be among the world’s top markets for energy transactions,” said Houston office managing partner Amanda Halter. “Their deep industry knowledge and practical approach to client service will enhance our ability to support our many clients here as they navigate an increasingly complex and quickly changing transactional and regulatory landscape.”

Daniel Belhumeur brings more than two decades of executive leadership and legal experience in the LNG and broader energy sectors. Most recently serving as president of a publicly traded energy company, he led the organization through a major strategic realignment and high-value M&A transaction. As a former executive vice president, general counsel and chief compliance officer, he directed legal strategy for multibillion-dollar financings, international joint ventures and major infrastructure development projects. Earlier in his career, he played a pivotal role in structuring and financing several of the first LNG export facilities in the U.S. Belhumeur’s blend of boardroom leadership, commercial insight and regulatory fluency makes him a highly strategic advisor to clients on project development, cross-border transactions and complex corporate matters.

Blake Berkey advises clients across the energy, infrastructure and technology sectors on mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, strategic investments and corporate governance. He most recently led corporate development initiatives for a public energy company, sourcing and negotiating venture and SPAC investments in energy transition technologies and serving as a board observer for portfolio companies. Earlier, he served as in-house counsel at a Fortune 250 infrastructure business, where he oversaw numerous acquisitions in power, renewables and construction services. Berkey began his legal career at an international law firm, representing clients in private equity, M&A and capital markets transactions across a range of industries. His unique blend of legal and business experience positions him to guide clients through complex and fast-moving corporate opportunities.

Frank Xue focuses his practice on cross-border transactions and international business strategy, with a particular emphasis on Asia-U.S. investment. Fluent in Mandarin and trained in both U.S. and Chinese legal systems, he has advised global clients on inbound investments exceeding $2.5 billion, as well as M&A, private equity and joint venture deals in the life sciences, manufacturing, energy and technology sectors. He routinely guides companies through U.S. market entry, regulatory compliance, CFIUS reviews and international trade matters. Xue also assists U.S.-based businesses in expanding overseas, including entity formation, licensing and intellectual property strategy. His international perspective and transactional fluency make him a valuable asset to clients navigating global growth and regulatory complexity.

“Daniel, Blake and Frank’s diverse and extensive transactional experience strengthens our ability to steer clients through complex deals, in Texas and elsewhere,” said Jeffrey Delaney, the Global Co-Head of Pillsbury’s Corporate & Securities practice. “While each of their practices is distinct, they all bring a strong commercial background and a wealth of transactional experience that affords firm clients important additional resources to navigate today’s dynamic markets.”

Belhumeur and Berkey join Pillsbury as counsel, while Xue will serve as special counsel at the firm.

Pillsbury’s Austin and Houston offices have experienced substantial growth in recent years, reflecting broader trends across the firm. With more than 70 lawyers in Texas, the firm has increased its headcount dramatically over the last five years. Other recent additions include Litigation partner Amy Ruhland (Austin); energy and construction litigator Derrick Carson (Houston); Emerging Companies & Venture Capital partner Andy Smetana (Austin) and counsel Margarita Kelrikh (Houston); patent prosecution partner Chris Drymalla (Austin); cross-border Litigation partner Willie Wood (Houston); energy-focused Corporate senior counsel Ben Clark (Houston); Environmental & Natural Resources special counsel Jillian Marullo (Houston), and capital markets and M&A special counsel Danielle de Zorzi (Austin); alongside the promotion of Austin-based lawyers Ashleigh Myers, an environmental regulatory and litigation attorney, and Sandro Serra, an intellectual property attorney specializing in complex technology and licensing transactions, to the partnership. To support this sustained growth, the firm also secured new office space in both Austin and Houston.

Pillsbury Corporate & Energy lawyers are regarded as among the best worldwide, regularly achieving top-tier rankings from Chambers & Partners, The Legal 500 U.S., and Financial Times, among others. From formation through financing, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures, Pillsbury’s attorneys advise companies on a global scale and at every life cycle stage. The team of more than 200 lawyers combine industry and regulatory knowledge with extensive deal experience, commercial and legal skills to provide comprehensive service to clients across industries.