Overview

John is a remarkable M&A attorney. He has a phenomenal work ethic and can give very commercial advice, orienting us on where the market is.” - Chambers USA

John Pitts is a corporate partner in the Houston office of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. His practice focuses on complex transactions including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures and private equity, with a particular focus on the energy sector. John is ranked Band 1 for Private Equity: Buyouts (2023–2024) and as a leading lawyer for Corporate/M&A (2019–2024) in Texas by Chambers USA. He is also recognized as a leading lawyer for Energy Transactions: Oil and Gas and Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power by The Legal 500 United States and as “MVP of the Year” for Energy by Law360 for 2021. John was named “Young Lawyer of the Year (Corporate)” at The American Lawyer’s 2022 Industry Awards and was also listed in Bloomberg Law’s “They’ve Got Next: The 40 Under 40” for M&A in 2022.

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Recognition

John served as an infantry officer in the United States Army from 2004 to 2010. He deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom VII-VIII, following which he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal.

John is also an adjunct professor at University of Texas Law School and teaches a course on negotiating corporate transactions.

Band 1 for Private Equity: Buyouts – Texas by Chambers USA, 2023–2024.

Recognized for Corporate/M&A – Texas by Chambers USA, 2016–2024.

Recognized as “Highly Regarded” for Private Equity and M&A by IFLR1000, 2022–2024

Recognized for Energy: Renewable/Alternative Power by The Legal 500 U.S., 2022–2023.

Recognized for Energy: Oil and Gas by The Legal 500 U.S., 2018–2019, 2021, 2023.

Named “Young Lawyer of the Year (Corporate)” at The American Lawyer's Industry Awards, 2022.

Recognized in Bloomberg Law's “They've Got Next: The 40 Under 40” list for M&A, 2022.

Recognized in the Texas Lawyer as a “Lawyer on the Rise” as part of its 2017 Professional Excellence Awards.

Memberships & Affiliations

Member, Board of Advisors for Team Rubicon

Credentials

Admissions & Qualifications

  • 2011Texas
  • 2010New York

Education

  • Georgetown University Law CenterJ.D.cum laude2009
  • Davidson CollegeB.A.magna cum laude2004