Hughes, Fields and Stoby opening Texas law office

Some of the invitees at the launch on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel.
Some of the invitees at the launch on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel.

Local law firm Hughes, Fields and Stoby is opening an office in Houston, Texas, USA, to guide prospective oil sector investors on doing business in Guyana.

“Hughes, Fields & Stoby, in partnership with Access Point, becomes the first legal and business protocol firm locally to establish a Houston, Texas presence in recognition of the emerging importance between the American energy capital and Guyana, as an emerging energy powerhouse,” the firm said in a statement on Friday.

A launch ceremony for the new office was held on Friday evening at the Marriott Hotel in Georgetown.

Attorney Nigel Hughes at Friday’s launch

The firm identified US Partner Greg Clark, who worked with Occidental Petroleum Company as that organization’s Legal Manager, as the person who would lead the Hughes, Fields and Stoby team in Houston.

Noting that Clark worked for 13 years in the industry as legal counsel and was based in places such as Qatar and Ecuador, the firm said he “brings a history of understanding and depth of knowledge to what will be a unique and welcomed resource.”

It noted that the preparation for the development began a year ago with the collaboration between Hughes, Fields and Stoby and the global law firm of Shearman and Sterling.

According to the firm’s statement, Managing Partner Nigel Hughes likened the opening of the new office to “the opening of a bridge between the oil capital of the world, Houston, Texas and one of the emerging oil giants of the region, Guyana.”

The statement said long before a potential investor even arrives in Guyana, the law offices of Hughes, Fields and Stoby will now be on hand in Houston, Texas to guide clients  through what could be a complex process of establishing business relationships in Guyana. 

“From legal representation right through to assistance with the appropriate business protocols and linkage to a network of officials in the public and private sector, a client’s every need is attended to in ensuring the doors to doing business in Guyana are easily and readily open,” it added.