Known for its breadth across both conventional and renewable power technologies, the team at Akin advises a broad array of sponsors, developers and lenders. Leadership of the practice is shared between three partners: New York's Zachary Wittenberg and Ikenna Emehelu, and Houston's Matthew Kapinos. Emehelu represents lenders, developers, and private equity and infrastructure funds on the development, financing, acquisition and disposal of renewable energy assets. Kapinos supports energy and infrastructure clients across the full project lifecycle, from drafting and negotiating agreements to acquisition, development, financing and sale.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Akin lawyers I work with offer deepening sector-specific insights and provide practical, commercially focused advice that enhances the client experience and differentiates Akin from other law firms.’
- ‘The team combines deep expertise in renewable and alternative power with a strong track record in complex financing and regulatory matters. As a client, I value Akin's ability to navigate evolving energy markets, structure innovative deals, and deliver commercially focused solutions.'
- 'Akin's approach ensures clients receive agile, forward-thinking advice aligned with the Project Finance market.’
Key clients
- Kennedy Lewis Investment Management LLC
- HASI
- Solar Landscape
- Excelsior Energy Capital
- Rabobank
- CIM Group LLC
- First Ammonia, LLC
- Pacifico Power
- Industrial Development Funding, LLC
- Sumitomo Corporation of Americas
- Scale Microgrid Solutions, Inc.
- Oystercatcher Solar, LLC
Work highlights
Advised Kennedy Lewis Investment Management LLC on a $130 million senior secured equipment supply loan for the Cheyenne Energy and Data Center Project, supporting energy transition strategy.
Represented HASI in a $207 million project financing for Vision RNG, enabling development of landfill gas-to-renewable natural gas facilities in Ohio.
Advised Solar Landscape on securing a $115 million credit facility from Nuveen Energy Infrastructure Credit to expand its community solar portfolio, including structuring, regulatory, and tax aspects.
Practice head
Zachary Wittenberg; Ike Emehelu; Matt Kapinos