Shariff Barakat > Akin > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile

Akin covers a broad range of financial services including development, financing, acquisition and sale of energy and infrastructure projects. The firm has a focus on renewable energy projects, representing sponsors and developers, and other financial institutions. Matthew Kapinos is a partner in the Houston office and is responsible for helping energy clients through the drafting and negotiating agreements for the purchase, sale, development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects. Over in New York, Ikenna Emehelu advises on renewables projects, and has represented lenders in the acquisition financing of a portfolio of solar projects. Elsewhere, a key name at the Washington DC office is Shariff Barakat who focuses on domestic infrastructure and renewable projects, with clients including developers and tax-equity investors.

Akin ’s corporate: project finance & development team offers experience in the development, financing, acquisition and sale of renewable energy projects. The practice is co-lead by Houston-based Matt Kapinos, and New York’s Zachary Wittenberg and transactional lawyer Ikenna Emehelu, who joined the firm in January 2022 from Norton Rose Fulbright. Kapinos is recommended for his capability to handle all phases of drafting and negotiating energy project agreements, while Shariff N. Barakat in Washington D.C. is particularly well-versed in tax equity financing. Los Angeles-based Jeff Cohen, who was promoted to partner in January 2022, is equipped to handle the whole range of finance and investment matters.