Mr Michael Masri > Kirkland & Ellis LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Delivering both traditional and energy transition asset advice alongside cutting-edge technological and innovative expertise, Kirkland & Ellis LLP continues to handle blockbuster multi-billion dollar asset and company acquisitions and disposals, often working for some of the market’s most formidable financial sponsors and pension funds. The team has responded to motivations from both domestic and European investors taking interest in tax credit instructions through the hire of Sam Kamyans from Allen & Overy LLP in June 2023, with his expertise combining with fellow tax specialist Michael Masri to service the firm’s ever-expanding stream of solar, wind and battery storage deals. The Houston-based Andrew Calder heads the team and is often active on the firm’s most substantial mandates, including Global Infrastructure Partners’ recent acquisition by BlackRock. Kevin Crews operates out of Dallas and is noted for his far-reaching practice that has seen him advise on wind and solar, forestry, and RNG projects, while Cyril Jones has been predominantly engaged with private equity acquisitions and joint venture deals, acting from the firm’s Houston office. Out of New York, Kristin Mendoza is a key contact to the practice’s clean energy and sustainable infrastructure platforms such as CleanCapital and Arclight Capital Partners, often working alongside Houston’s Ahmed Sidik who is equally well versed across M&A, divestitures, private equity and project development investments. Also advising from the firm’s Houston office, Rhett Van Syoc is one of the main ports of call for Blackstone and its portfolio companies for buyouts, investments and disposals.

Advising some of the market’s largest asset managers, financial sponsors and pension funds, Kirkland & Ellis LLP covers a variety of transaction types and assets. Infrastructure engagement focuses heavily on the digital space, with the team advising on the debt and equity financings for data center and fiber ventures, whereas on the energy front the firm has a broader ambit that includes, but is not limited to, wind, solar, hydropower, gas, hydrogen and battery storage. Rohit Chaudhry leads both sides of the firm’s project finance offering and has a proven track record on solar, LNG and fiber mandates, whereas Roald Nashi, who is also equally competent across both sector strands, has predominantly focused on energy transition work such as renewables, anaerobic digestion plants and carbon capture facilities, as well as data centers. Another key individual who has a practice concentrated on energy transition work, Robert Eberhardt is especially well-regarded for his onshore and offshore wind capabilities, while Tatiana Monastyrskaya is a key contact to Blackstone, handling their development and financing instructions. Michael Masri brings a wealth of tax equity financing and tax credit transactions expertise to bear on a number of mandates, and Tatiana Monastyrskaya continues to be a critical advisor to LNG and data center projects. Olivia George is well-versed on a wide array of project finance transaction structures. Tax specialist Sam Kamyans joined the team from Allen & Overy LLP in November 2023. Chaudhry, Nashi and Kamyans operate out of Washington DC, whereas the rest of the team sit in New York.