Crain Caton & James

Overview

A seasoned attorney whose dynamic career has spanned more than 35 years of continuous practice. With specific proficiency in Energy Finance, Securities, and LLC law, Adrienne’s client representation has included an array of corporate E&P and Oilfield Service companies as well as digital start-up organizations and entrepreneurs.

With a seemingly endless level of energy, Adrienne has closed transactions in excess of $1B, has hired and managed legal teams, built legal departments from the ground up, and has published many scholarly articles and papers throughout her career. Her acutely observant – and empathetic – nature, combined with her keen attention to detail and willingness to roll up her sleeves with her team, make her the type of leader to whom others naturally gravitate. Adrienne has a unique ability to take complex, technical concepts and break them down into understandable components, allowing her to easily and successfully develop, lead, and manage the strategies, transactions, and engagements for which she is responsible.

She is fluent in English and Spanish, competent in French, and has studied Portuguese, Greek, and Italian, allowing her to communicate with international clients and parties in their native language.

Adrienne is a frequent author and lecturer on corporate and securities law issues and has served as Adjunct Professor of Corporate Law and Securities Law at the University of Houston Law Center. She is a past President of the Women’s Finance Exchange and has been a member of the State Bar of Texas’ Corporate Law, Continuing Education, and Venture Capital Committees. She is also a member of the Limited Liability Company, Partnership and Unincorporated Entity Committee, the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee and the Private Equity Venture Capital Committee of the American Bar Association.  In 2017, she was named in Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women by Houston Woman Magazine.

As her vocation, Adrienne has actively volunteered at the Neuhaus Education Center for more than ten years, currently serves on the Advisory Board, and served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for two years.  She believes in the importance of arts education for all children and serves on the Board of HGOCo, which is the arm of the Houston Grand Opera that produces and performs short operas for school age children, as well as commissioning and producing original operas focusing on telling the stories of all the communities in Houston.

Experience

Clients request Adrienne’s legal advice for all types of corporate transactions. She assists clients throughout the entire life cycle of their company or transaction.  She has extensive capabilities in:

• E&P Acquisitions and Divestitures
• Equity and Debt Financing
• Business Asset Acquisitions and Sales
• Formation and Sales of LLCs, Corporations, and Partnerships
• SEC Compliance
• Private Placements
• Employment Law
• Gas Purchase Agreements
• Power Purchase Agreements
• Master Service Agreements
• Farmout and Participation Agreements
• Joint Operating Agreements

Affiliations

Professional

American Bar Association

• LLC, Partnerships and Unincorporated Entities Committee
• Business Law Section, Environment Section, Energy & Resources Section
  Distressed M&A Committee
• Mergers & Acquisitions Committee
• Private Entity and Venture Capital Committee

Texas Bar Association

• Business Law and Oil Section and Gas & Energy Resources Section
  • Institute Director: Professional Development
  • Vice Chairman: Venture Capital Committee
  • Chairman and Moderator: PDP Seminar
  • Member: Corporate Law Committee, Venture Capital Committee, Continuing Legal Education Committee

Colorado Bar Association

Houston Bar Association

• Oil, Gas & Mineral Law
• Mergers & Acquisitions
• Corporate Counsel
• Securities Litigation and Arbitration Law

Women’s Finance Exchange, Past President

Educational

University of Houston

• Adjunct Professor: Business Organizations, Securities Regulation

Community

• Neuhaus Education Center, Chairman of the Board (2016-2018), Member (2007-present)
• Houston Grand Opera, Board of HGOCo (educational outreach arm of Houston Grand Opera)

Publications & Presentations

Adrienne is a frequent author and lecturer on corporate and securities law issues. She has been a guest lecturer for the Practicing Law Institute, University of Texas CLE, University of Houston CLE, and South Texas College of Law.

Honors & Awards

• Houston’s 50 Most Influential Women, Houston Woman Magazine, 2017