Mr Matthew Kapinos > Akin > Houston, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

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.