Jacob J. Worenklein, who has over three decades of experience advising the world’s largest energy and financial institutions on complex project finance transactions, has joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP as a partner in the firm’s New York office. He joins Ed Zaelke and Adam Umanoff as co-head of the firm’s global project finance practice. Previously, he was a partner with another large international law firm.
Recognized as one of the world’s preeminent project finance lawyers, Mr. Worenklein has successfully guided the financing and development of some of the largest electricity, natural gas, water, oil, nuclear and transportation infrastructure projects across the United States and throughout the world. His success and dedicated work in this field have garnered international attention, including receipt of Infrastructure Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Akin Gump chairman R. Bruce McLean stated, “The expansion and growth of our project finance practice has been a strategic priority for the firm. This was evidenced most recently by the arrival of Ed Zaelke and Adam Umanoff’s powerhouse team last year and continues today with the addition of such a talented and accomplished leader as Jay Worenklein.”
Mr. Worenklein’s broad track record of experience extends across both the legal and business sectors: he founded and headed the power and project finance practices at Milbank, where he practiced for 20 years; founded and served as chairman and chief executive officer of US Power Generating Company; headed global project finance and independent power at Lehman Brothers; and served as global head of Société Générale’s award-winning energy, power, infrastructure and project finance sectors.
“Jay’s arrival really bolsters our team in a number of key areas,” stated Ed Zaelke, co-head of Akin Gump’s global project finance practice. “His tremendous experience in guiding complex energy, power, water and other infrastructure projects will be a great asset to our clients and practice.”
Adam Umanoff, who also co-heads the practice, agreed, stating, “Jay’s skills are a perfect complement to our practice and represent a huge step forward in expanding the scope of our project finance capabilities. We’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.”
Mr. Worenklein joins a practice that has grown substantially over the last two years and was recently named as one of Law360’s “2011 Practice Groups of the Year.”
“It’s clear that with its deep and talented bench and substantial international platform, Akin Gump is well-positioned as a leading firm in the project finance arena,” Mr. Worenklein stated. “It’s exciting to join such a dynamic and respected team.”
Mr. Worenklein received his JD in 1973 from New York University School of Law, his MBA in 1973 from New York University, and his BA in 1970 from Columbia University.
