NEW YORK (Bloomberg) — Lazard, the investment bank led by Bruce Wasserstein, hired Bruce Bilger from law firm Vinson & Elkins as chairman and head of the global energy advisory business and co-head of southwest investment banking.

Mr. Bilger, 55, is based in Houston and will start in January, Lazard said. He helped build Vinson & Elkins's energy practice, leading teams on deals such as Duke Energy Corporation's $8 billion purchase of Canada's Westcoast Energy and the $45 billion acquisition of TXU by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and TPG, the Lazard statement said.

"As we continue to bolster our industry teams around the world, we are delighted that Bruce is joining us to help reinforce our strong position in power and energy," Mr. Wasserstein said in the statement.