Luke L. Burns has joined Reed Smith as a partner in the firm's global Energy and Natural Resources Group. Based in Houston, Burns counsels energy companies and other clients on a broad range of energy-related transactions and projects.

“Luke’s addition arms us with someone who has more than a decade of experience in major energy transactions, including some of the headline deals in the upstream space, as well as small-and large LNG projects,” said Prajakt Samant, energy and natural resources chair in London. “Luke will furthermore enhance our energy transition offering with his cutting-edge work with hydrogen power and crypto.”

Previously with Baker Botts’ global projects team, Burns works on acquisitions and divestitures of onshore and offshore upstream oil and gas assets, joint development arrangements, and both hydrogen and LNG projects.

“I am thrilled to join Reed Smith’s energy team due to its global perspective and deep bench in tax, financing, and regulatory, all of which will support my client’s projects and international growth,” said Burns. “I am especially proud to be a part of Reed Smith’s commitment to growing its domestic energy practice in Texas and throughout the U.S.”

In recent years, Burns also developed a focus in energy and commodities-related cryptocurrencies, adding strength to Reed Smith’s offering in digital assets in the industry sector.

“With his high-level experience in upstream LNG and hydrogen – including for many of our longstanding clients – plus his forward-thinking know-how in tech and crypto, Luke is the perfect fit for our innovative energy and ESG teams,” said Ken Broughton, managing partner of Reed Smith’s Houston office, the first of three firm offices in Texas (including Dallas and Austin).

“Luke has been involved in several billions of dollars in energy deals, just in the last couple of years,” Broughton said. “His knowledge will help us continue building a world-class oil-and-gas transactional team, plus add bench strength in the Houston market and beyond. We are very pleased to welcome him on board.”

Burns earned his J.D. magna cum laude in 2011, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was articles editor of the University of Pennsylvania Journal of International Law, was honored with the school’s Distinguished Pro Bono Service Award. He also holds a B.A. from the University of Richmond and a Certificate in Business and Public Policy from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Following graduation from law school, Burns served as a law clerk to the Honorable Andrew S. Hanen of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas.