Akin Gump Expands Renewable Energy Practice

(San Francisco, California) – Robert L. Nelson Jr. has joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP in San Francisco as a partner in the energy and global transactions practice. 

Michael E. Dillard, leader of Akin Gump’s firmwide energy and global transactions practice, said, “Bob brings considerable renewable energy insight and many years of project finance and development experience to our already strong practice in these two key areas of energy investment.  His location in San Francisco will expand our footprint as a leading advisor to energy companies around the globe.  We are very pleased that he has joined our global energy team.” 

For nearly 30 years, Mr. Nelson has been active in the energy arena, including, in particular, the renewable energy space.  He has represented project developers, EPC contractors, equipment suppliers, lenders and investors in renewable energy projects, as well as project sponsors, lenders, equipment suppliers and contractors in numerous other domestic and international energy and infrastructure project development financings, M&A transactions and workouts.  He has significant energy experience in Asia (particularly China and India), Latin America and the United States.

Mr. Nelson has worked on the development and financing of more than 50 power project transactions worldwide – including those fueled by gas, biofuels, biomass, coal, cogeneration, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar and wind – playing key roles in many of the world’s most significant energy projects.  In the solar arena alone, he has represented developers and lenders in connection with the development and financing of approximately 80 percent of the world’s total installed concentrated solar power (CSP) electrical generation.  He also has significant experience in infrastructure projects related to oil and gas, mining, water, transportation and telecommunications.

In addition, Mr. Nelson has substantial experience representing established energy groups as well as private equity and venture funds in structuring complex projects, joint ventures and strategic alliances in the emerging energy technology/cleantech field. 

Mr. Nelson is an appointed member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Pacific Council-FICCI Joint Task Force on trade and investment relations between India and the United States, and was recently nominated to serve on the board of directors of the U.S.-India Business Council.  He currently is vice chair, and previously served as chair, of the International Bar Association’s Project Finance Subcommittee; he also serves as an officer on the American Bar Association’s Project Finance Committee. 

Stephen A. Mansfield, partner in charge of Akin Gump’s San Francisco office, said, “Bob adds significant depth to our West Coast resources in key practice areas for the firm, including energy, private equity, and cross-border matters involving India and Asia.  Also, by working side by side with our American Indian law and policy practice, particularly our newest lateral partner, Patrick Marshall, Bob will provide the firm’s tribal clients with powerful synergies in the finance and development of critical infrastructure projects such as utility-scale solar and wind energy projects.” 

Mr. Nelson added, “Akin Gump’s strong national and international presence, highly regarded energy and private equity and investment funds practice groups, and resources relating to India and Asia make it an ideal platform for my practice.”

Mr. Nelson received his A.B. magna cum laude from Harvard College in 1976.  He received both his M.P.A. from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and his J.D. from Columbia Law School in 1980.  He joins the firm from Winston & Strawn.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 800 lawyers in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

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