Dino Barajas > Baker Botts L.L.P. > San Francisco, United States > Lawyer Profile

Baker Botts L.L.P. handles a vast array of matters, ranging from greenfield projects to tax equity financings for a diverse client list that includes institutional lenders and credit enhancers. San Francisco-based Dino Barajas leads the project finance team since the departure of Jeff Kayes in January 2022, and has broad experience in energy and infrastructure transactions, with a particular focus on the Latin American market. Ellen Friedman in New York is a name to note, with notable expertise advising on complex financing structures in projects in renewable energy, renewable fuel, and carbon capture. Also recommended are Frank Schoen and PPP expert Victoria Boyne, both in New York, and tax specialists Michael Bresson and Barbara De Marigny in Houston.

Led by New York’s Michael Didriksen and Elaine Walsh, who splits her time between New York and Washington, Baker Botts L.L.P.‘s cross-border practice is equipped to handle every stage of projects, including investment, project finance and regulatory counselling. Didriksen impresses his clients with his ‘ability to drive innovative solutions on complex deals’, and is noted for his experience in M&A and project development. In New York, John Papaspanos  is noted as an expert for debt and equity financing transactions. Adam Griffin from the New York office and San Francisco’s Jeff Kayes departed in 2022, while Dino Barajas joined in San Francisco from DLA Piper LLP (US), Ellen Friedman  joined the New York office from Nixon Peabody LLP, and Elias ‘Eli’ Hinckley joined the team in San Francisco from K&L Gates.

Baker Botts L.L.P. is a major player in energy projects, especially upstream and downstream oil, gas, LNG and renewables. It continues to advise a large number of US-based clients on their interests in the region, along with a growing number of Latin American corporates and Latin American subsidiaries of international businesses. The firm is also increasingly active in private equity investments into Latin American energy and infrastructure. Energy transition, including hydrogen and carbon capture, are also fortes for the firm. Carlos Solé is a true Latin American specialist, particularly in LNG, upstream and downstream oil and gas, and renewable energy. David Jetter provides further Latin America LNG experience and is also active in other energy infrastructure projects. San Francisco partner Dino Barajas, firm-wide head of project finance, is a leading name in renewable energy projects across Latin America, including Mexico, Central America and Brazil. Taylor López impresses at associate level. All named attorneys are based in Houston unless stated otherwise.

Baker Botts L.L.P.’s outstanding expertise is frequently employed in Latin America where it frequently advises US-based clients on their investments and interests in the region. Oil and gas, along with LNG, is core to the Houston office’s practice in Latin America, while renewables, including solar and wind, are growth areas for the team. The office is also well placed to target energy transition projects such as hydrogen and carbon capture. It is also becoming more active in private equity investments in Latin America. Carlos Solé has a long history in Latin America, particularly in LNG, upstream-and-downstream oil and gas, and renewable energy. David Jetter is another experienced figure in Latin America LNG and other energy infrastructure projects. Although not based in Houston, Dino Barajas, a San Francisco-based partner and firm-wide head of project finance, is helping the core Latin America team to develop its presence in renewable energy in key Latin American jurisdictions.