Mr Ikenna Emehelu > Akin > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Frequently sought out for its expertise in debt and equity energy project financing, Akin operates as lenders counsel to commercial banks, investment banks, and private equity outfits and borrower and corporate counsel to global energy producers and developers. Despite deep roots to the traditional power sector, the group is increasingly engaged with a strong body of work in the energy transition space, advising on solar, wind, battery storage and capture capture ventures along with the associated tax credit issues. Helming the practice from Houston, Matt Kapinos is able to cover the entire lifecycle of a project, overseeing the acquisition, financing, development and refinancing piece. Follow co-lead Ike Emehelu is based in New York and is chiefly recognised as a key advisor to lenders and investors engaging with renewable projects, whereas final team lead Zachary Wittenberg focuses on energy-related corporate matters from New York. Washington DC’s Shariff Barakat and Sam Guthrie are highlighted for their tax equity financing know-how, whereas Hayden Harms focuses on commercial contract negotiations and agreements from Houston. Battery storage finances have increasingly become a core part of LA attorney Dan Lynch‘s broad practice. New York’s Brad Warner represents sponsors and investors.

Akin not only leads on high-end debt and equity financings for a range of energy projects, but also possesses a strong bench of advisors who competently handle the specialist regulatory, tax and development aspects of these substantial builds. In addition, the firm also oversees M&A, joint ventures, and power purchase agreements. Matthew Kapinos heads the team from Houston and covers the full range of energy transactions, financings and asset types, with particular engagement with battery storage over the past twelve months. Project finance duo Ikenna Emehelu and Daniel Lynch operate out of New York and Los Angeles respectively, largely focusing on renewables and energy transition matters. Washington DC’s Shariff Barakat advises sponsors, tax-equity investors and lenders across the acquisition, development and financing piece. New York-based counsel Brad Warner has been a strong supporting presence on a range of renewable matters, while recent arrival Sam Guthrie, who joined from Allen & Overy LLP in July 2023, brings further tax equity acumen, advising from Washington DC.

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. Alongside him in Washington DC, Sam Guthrie is also a key partner, while Hayden Harms in Houston is an up-and-coming figure in the market who made partner in January 2024.