OREANDA-NEWS. September 19, 2013. Occidental Petroleum Corporation (NYSE:OXY) announced that Marcia E. Backus has been appointed Vice President and General Counsel, effective October 1.

Ms. Backus, 59, currently is a partner at Vinson & Elkins in Houston, Texas. She heads the firm’s Energy Transactions/Projects Practice Group, representing industry and private equity companies in domestic and international mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, private equity investments, project development and other energy transactions.

She is ranked among the Leading Business Lawyers in oil and gas and energy by both Chambers USA and Chambers Global, and was named 2012 Lawyer of the Year in mergers and acquisitions by The Best Lawyers in America. She has served in numerous leadership positions with Vinson & Elkins, including the firm wide management committee, co-chair of the corporate department and as chair of the partnership admissions committee.

“Marcia Backus is one of the preeminent energy lawyers in the country. We have worked closely with her on multiple oil and gas transactions over many years. Her extensive industry knowledge and experience and her familiarity with Oxy and its legal department make her an outstanding addition to our leadership team. We are very pleased to welcome her to Oxy,” said Occidental President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen I. Chazen.

Ms. Backus holds a B.A. degree, awarded Summa Cum Laude, from the University of Texas, and a J.D. with high honors from the University of Texas School of Law, where she was elected to the Order of the Coif honorary scholastic society. She is co-founder of the school’s Center for Women in Law.