Mr Matthew Kapinos > Akin > Houston, 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.

Akin has a growing presence in Latin America projects and energy transactions. An expanding team in New York is complementing the established group in Houston, which has an outstanding record in upstream oil and gas matters in Mexico. The firm also has extensive experience in renewables and is active in various smaller markets (including Suriname, Dominican Republic and Uruguay), as well as other core markets such as Brazil, Chile and Colombia. Matthew Kapinos is co-head of the projects and energy transition practice and has a strong focus on Latin America, including storage terminal and renewables projects. At counsel level, Eduardo Canales negotiates in Spanish and English, and is a key figure in Latin America projects and transactions. Both are based in Houston. Upstream oil and gas specialist David Sweeney left the firm in June 2023.

Akin’s Houston office has a long history in Latin America, particularly in the energy sector. It has an especially strong record in upstream oil and gas in Mexico. Other key markets include Colombia, Chile and Brazil, while it has further activity in smaller markets such as Suriname, Dominican Republic and Uruguay. Previously, the firm worked on a raft of solar and wind projects in Mexico, before the political climate changed. Matt Kapinos leads on project development in Mexico, Chile and other markets, including storage terminal and renewables projects. At counsel level, Eduardo Canales  is a pivotal figure in Latin America projects and transactions. David Sweeney, an experienced figure in upstream oil and gas transactions in Mexico, left the firm in June 2023.