Sutherland Adds Two Energy/Derivatives Partners in Washington, D.C. Bringing Together Leading Advisors in Post-Dodd-Frank Commodities and Derivatives Regulation

Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Tags:  Eversheds Sutherland
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP today announced that David T. McIndoe and R. Michael Sweeney, Jr., previously co-heads of the Commodities Trading Group at Hunton & Williams LLP, have joined the firm as partners in Sutherland’s Washington, D.C., office.

“David and Michael have played prominent roles in advising the nation’s largest energy and financial companies as these firms have navigated the challenges posed by the financial reforms created under the Dodd-Frank Act. Our new colleagues will bolster and complement Sutherland’s already comprehensive derivatives and energy trading practices,” Sutherland Managing Partner Mark D. Wasserman said. 
Mr. McIndoe and Mr. Sweeney have developed vibrant practices representing energy companies and members of the financial industry in the areas of commodities and derivatives regulation, compliance and transactions impacted by the Dodd-Frank Act and the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) rules mandated by the statute. They have played a major role in crafting the energy industry’s response to Dodd-Frank rulemaking proceedings before the CFTC and other agencies. 
“Sutherland is committed to being at the forefront among legal advisers in the post-Dodd-Frank derivatives regulatory regime,” said Energy and Environmental Practice Group Leader Herbert J. Short, Jr. “With David and Michael on board, Sutherland has extensive depth and breadth in the newly regulated swaps markets.” 
“Dodd-Frank imposes a completely new regulatory structure for the derivatives market, and clients are demanding firms have adequate bench strength to advise them on how they should hedge their investments and other business risks in this new environment,” said James M. Cain, the head of Sutherland’s derivatives practice. “Having been as deeply involved in the rulemaking process as other Sutherland lawyers have been, David and Michael immediately expand and reinforce our ability to guide clients through this critical time.” 
“Sutherland is a great platform for Michael, for me and for our clients,” said Mr. McIndoe. “As we look ahead to meeting the demands of the changing compliance and transactional landscape for energy and financial derivatives after Dodd-Frank, the expanded depth and variety of experience available under Sutherland’s derivatives and energy platform will add great client value.” 
“We also are excited to have the expanded resources of Sutherland’s thriving Houston office,” added Mr. Sweeney. “Many of our clients are based in Houston, a hub of energy trading and commodity transactions.”