Christopher M. Dawe
Trammell Crow Center
2001 Ross Avenue
Suite 3900
Dallas, Texas 75201
Chris’ practice involves all aspects of commercial lending and financing transactions. Chris has been active, both globally and domestically, on behalf of commercial banks, private equity funds, retailers and energy companies. His work includes the financing of energy assets, real estate and nonperforming loans, retail businesses, and the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects.
Chris has over 25 years of experience joining Vinson & Elkins in its Washington, D.C. office in 1996. He served as the Administrative Partner of the firm’s Tokyo office from 2005-2008 and is now resident in the firm’s Dallas office.
Experience Highlights
An international private equity fund in connection with a $1.2 billion structured repurchase agreement transaction designed to finance the acquisition of a dynamic portfolio of loans
The administrative agent in a $200 million revolving credit facility and a $450 million term loan to a public midstream company
Pioneer Natural Resources in its $1.7 billion joint venture with Sinochem to develop 207,000 acres in the Permian Basin
The administrative agent in a multi-tiered $455 million financing to a company and its affiliates developing and constructing midstream energy assets
Royal Bank of Canada in a $900 million revolving credit facility to Martin Midstream Partners L.P.
A private equity fund in the financing of a large portfolio of distressed secured loans acquired from a mortgage center bank
The administrative agent in a $200 million revolving credit facility to a midstream energy company
An oil exploration and production company in the financing of its Alaska tax credits to fund its development operations
BI-LO, LLC, a regional grocery store chain, in a $125 million debtor-in-possession revolving credit facility
A private equity fund in connection with two multicurrency facilities on behalf of a private equity client to finance the purchase of loan portfolios and mortgage securities backed by European real estate with a value of over $3 billion
The agent and lead lender in connection with debtor-in-possession financing provided to TXCO Resources, Inc.
An international private equity fund in two tokutei mokuteki kaisha financings involving a mixed portfolio of nonperforming loans and commercial real estate raising over ¥75 billion
An international private equity fund in a ¥52 billion financing of 24 hotel properties
An international private equity fund in connection with a ¥100 billion securitized financing of 75 golf course properties in Japan
Riverstone Holdings, LLC in the intercreditor and security arrangements in connection with the acquisition by its portfolio company, Fieldwood Energy, LLC of assets from Apache Corporation for $3.75 billion
A major international gas company in the development and financing of a $1.1 billion LNG project in the Caribbean
A Japanese energy company in connection with documenting and negotiating LNG master spot purchase and sales agreements
Credentials
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1994
- Carleton College, B.A. magna cum laude, 1985
- Legislative Assistant: U.S. Congressman Vin Weber, 1987–1989
- Legislative Director: U.S. Congressman Bill Paxon, 1989–1990
- Special Assistant to the President: Legal Services Corporation, 1990–1991
- Law clerk to Judge Diane G. Weinstein of the United States Court of Federal Claims, 1994–1995
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), “Lawyer of the Year,” Commercial Finance Law (Dallas/Fort Worth), 2025
- The Best Lawyers in America© (BL Rankings, LLC), Commercial Finance Law (Dallas), 2023-2025
- The International Who’s Who of Oil & Gas Lawyers (Law Business Research Ltd.), 2010 and 2011
- Maine
- District of Columbia
- Japan (as a foreign law specialist, gaikokuho jimu bengoshi)
- Texas
- Deals & CasesOctober 2, 2023
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 21, 2023
- Deals & CasesFebruary 6, 2023
- Deals & CasesDecember 12, 2022
- Rankings & AwardsAugust 18, 2022
- Deals & CasesApril 20, 2021