Press Coverage November 8, 2026

Shock & Y’all: Texas Dealmaking in a New Shade of Blue

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Jenelle M. Simmons

Jennie Simmons, a partner in Troutman Pepper Locke’s Corporate Practice Group, was quoted in the November 8, 2026, Texas Lawbook article, “Shock & Y’all: Texas Dealmaking in a New Shade of Blue.”

  • Notes Jennie Simmons, a Houston transactions partner for Troutman Pepper Locke:
  • “The status quo for the near future is uncertain, and if anything is certain, it is that uncertainty is typically not ideal for M&A,” says Simmons. “Buyers and sellers typically like to see the forecast before engaging in material transaction, and right now the radar is unclear.”
  • Simmons says the year, from her view, has been finishing in what she called a “constructive environment,” especially in energy and infrastructure.
  • “I do not expect that momentum to vanish overnight, and I would not necessarily expect a chilling effect on deals already in motion, or those that can get across the finish line by year-end,” Simmons said.
  • …
  • “On the flip side, we could see an acceleration of deals while President Trump is still in office to avoid the risk of any material changes in tax laws or other specific legislative changes impacting the energy industry and business more generally,” Simmons says.
  • On the state side, Simmons thinks continued Republican control of the Texas Senate will ameliorate more aggressive agendas. Changes in state regulation may have an impact on data center development, “but it is not yet clear what that impact will be.”
  • “Overall, until we see how everything unfolds in the next 6 to 12 months, I expect dealmakers to be a bit more cautious, build in more flexibility, and generally wait for the initial cloudy skies to clear.”
  • “I remain optimistic that Texas dealmakers will adapt, as we always do, once the initial wave passes,” said Simmons.
  • “If there is one word to describe the current climate, it would be: uncertain.”
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