Christine B. LaFollette is an independent director and accomplished corporate attorney with proven business expertise working with companies and their Boards of Directors. Chris has served on the firm-wide management committee of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, one of the world’s largest law firms with more than 900 lawyers, and is currently the partner-in-charge of Akin Gump’s Houston office.
As a corporate attorney, Chris specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital market and private financing transactions and corporate governance, including compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Act, periodic reporting, proxy solicitation, audit and compensation committee standards, insider trading requirements of the federal securities laws and shareholder activists matters. Chris has been a leader throughout her career helming a significant number of multibillion-dollar deals.
Spending much of her career in the boardroom and with C-suite executives, Chris has been sought after for board service. She is a member of the Board of Directors, serving on each of the Compensation Committee and Conflicts Committee and attending all Audit Committee meetings, for Holly Energy Partners (NYSE: HEP). HEP provides petroleum product and crude oil transportation, terminaling, storage and throughput services throughout the U.S.
In addition to her leadership and expertise, Chris is also respected for her integrity and core values not only in business but also in the community. Chris is a frequent author, moderator and frequent speaker on topics facing directors in today’s boardroom as well as for Akin Gump Energy Briefings. She is frequently recognized, including being named a finalist in Houston Business Journal’s inaugural Women Who Mean Business awards, inducted into the “Most Influential Women” Hall of Fame by the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce, named by the Houston Business Journal among the Top Women in Energy, and named by The M&A Advisor “Female Dealmaker of the Year”.
Chris believes in being involved in her business and personal community and is active in non-profit charitable, community and civic activities: She is a founder and board member of the Texas TriCities Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors, which provides director programming and opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and interaction. Chris is also on the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors of the World Affairs Council of Houston, which provides programs and education regarding US and international affairs to the Houston business community and students. Chris was a former advisory member of Women in Energy in Houston, an active chapter to promote women in business. She was also the past chair of the Board of Stewards for St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and co-chair of its successful $35 million capital campaign.