Hugh E. Tanner Joins MLA as a Managing Director in the Partner Practice Group

Hanover, MD (August 6, 2025)—Major, Lindsey & Africa (MLA), the world's leading legal search firm, announced today that Hugh Tanner has joined the firm as a managing director in its Partner Practice Group. Based in Houston, Hugh brings a forty-year legal career as a highly regarded lead trial attorney focused on complex commercial and mass tort litigation primarily in the oil and gas sector and also has decades of law firm management experience honed at three Am Law 100 firms. Hugh will provide strategic consulting and recruiting services to individual partners and partner groups in the lateral marketplace as well as representing law firms in connection with growth objectives, office openings, and law firm mergers.

“We are thrilled to welcome Hugh Tanner to MLA as Managing Director in our Houston office,” said David Maurer, executive director of the Partner Practice Group. “With decades of high-profile litigation experience and leadership roles at top firms, Hugh brings strategic insight and a deep understanding of the Texas legal market that will empower law firm partners navigating career transitions and firms seeking exceptional talent.”

Prior to joining MLA, Hugh served on the Executive Committee of 900 attorney Winston & Strawn. In addition, he was Chair of Winston’s Oil & Gas Litigation Practice and served on their Compensation Committee during his 2018 – 2023 tenure. Before joining Winston, Hugh was the Managing Partner of the Houston Office of Am Law 10 Morgan Lewis & Bockius helping steward office growth from 4 to 90 attorneys and garnering recognition as “Texas Litigation Department of the Year” along the way. He also served as Chair of Morgan Lewis’ Oil & Gas Litigation Group Initiative during his 2008 – 2018 service. Hugh began his legal career in the Houston Office of 3,000 attorney Norton Rose Fulbright where he served as Commercial Litigation Practice Team Leader. While there, he was a trial partner dually assigned to NRF’s Litigation and Tax Sections during 1985 – 2008. Most recently, Hugh was a trial partner with Texas’ largest law firm, Jackson Walker, resident in its Houston Office from 2023 - 2025.

Hugh played a pivotal role as lead counsel for Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil field services company, during the Deepwater Horizon investigation and legal proceedings. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill spawned the largest environmental litigation in United States history and resulted in the largest environmental damage settlement reaching $20.8 billion. Notably, Hugh led the Schlumberger Deepwater Horizon trial team that secured the complete dismissal for the client at the close of the plaintiffs’ case. Hugh’s trial experience includes a diverse range of cases ranging from complex commercial to mass tort to white collar crime. His appellate experience includes presenting arguments before the United States Courts of Appeal and the Texas appellate courts. Beyond litigation, Hugh counseled corporate boards and management, advising on issues of risk management, litigation strategies, and corporate governance. Hugh has been recognized as an Acritas Star Lawyer, a BTI Client Service All-Star, a Law360 Environmental MVP, and among The Best Lawyers in America. Lawdragon has also recognized Hugh among their 500 Leading Lawyers in America, and the Houston Business Journal listed Hugh as part of Who's Who in Energy. Hugh holds a J.D. and a B.B.A. from the University of Mississippi.

“Over the course of my 40-year legal career, I was involved in opening new offices and growing existing ones with my firms, including working on two substantial firm mergers,” said Hugh. “As a result, I participated in hiring and retaining a considerable number of lateral partners and associates and counseling many more on issues critical to their compensation and professional development. In addition, I also made three lateral moves myself and had the opportunity to consult with MLA during one of those processes. Now, as an MLA Managing Director, I feel that I have been given an incredible opportunity to draw upon these experiences to help make a difference in the lives of our candidates and clients.”