The projects and energy transition group at Akin handles a range of work in the renewables area, its recent slate including project development, financing, and joint ventures. Pre-NTP funding structures for renewable energy projects and tax credit transferability advice were also areas of recent focus for the department which is co-led by Matt Kapinos inHouston and Ike Emehelu in New York. Washington DC-based Shariff Barakat acts for clients across acquisition, development, and financing of power generation and infrastructure projects, focusing particularly on tax equity financing. Hayden Harms in Houston is an up-and-coming figure in the market who made partner in January 2024. April Kim joined the Los Angeles office from Greenberg Traurig LLP in September 2024.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Matt Kapinos has been excellent as a resource and a referral hub for other Akin lawyers.’

Key clients

  • Energy Harbor Corp.
  • Excelsior Energy Capital
  • First Ammonia, LLC
  • HSBC
  • MUFG
  • Ørsted
  • Rabobank
  • ReGen III Corp.
  • Rockwood Asset Management
  • Santander
  • Tenaska
  • The Guardian Life Insurance Co.
  • Vistra
  • Vitol Inc.

Work highlights

  • Represented Santander, Rabobank and HSBC as lenders in a $140m revolving credit facility to DSD Renewables to fund the purchase of equipment and pre-construction expenses for energy storage and solar facilities.
  • Represented Excelsior Energy Capital in the formation of a joint venture with an approximately $400m equity commitment to acquire construction-ready battery energy storage projects.
  • Advising First Ammonia on its development of a commercial-scale green ammonia production facility using renewable solar and wind.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ike Emehelu, Matt Kapinos

Other key lawyers

Shariff Barakat, Dan Lynch, Hayden Harms, Mary Lovely, Eusebius Luk, Brad Warner, Vanessa Richelle Wilson, April Kim