Sidley Austin LLP announced a further expansion of its Energy and M&A practices with the addition of partners Karen A. Dewis, Kenneth W. Irvin and Daryl L. Rice in Washington, D.C. Mr. Irvin’s and Mr. Rice’s practices involve a broad cross-section of energy and commodities transactions, including energy trading and marketing, hedging and derivatives transactions, as well as the representation of clients in regulatory and investigation matters before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Ms. Dewis represents public and private clients in connection with complex M&A, joint venture, spin-off and other strategic transactions, with a particular focus on the energy/commodities, financial services and general industrial sectors. She also advises clients on capital raising transactions, corporate governance, conflict of interest, disclosure and related matters.
As a team, they have represented U.S. and international financial institutions, multinational companies, independent power producers, investment funds, oil and natural gas companies, private equity funds, trade associations, commodity marketers and exchange and clearing organizations.
“Karen, Ken and Daryl are widely recognized as leaders in advising energy and financial services clients on the most sophisticated, complex transactions,” said Cliff Vrielink, global co-leader of Sidley’s Energy practice. “Their deep and broad knowledge of commodity and specialty finance markets, the energy and financial services industries, and the interplay between the two, nicely complements the existing capabilities of our strong team of lawyers focused on the energy space in New York, Washington, Texas, California and around the world. Their arrival follows the recent addition of partner Robert Stephens to our energy team in Houston. Sidley is committed to continuing to grow our Energy and Financial Services practices, and we all look forward to working with our new colleagues in providing clients with the highest level of service.”
“We are thrilled to welcome this talented group of lawyers to our team in Washington,” said Mark Hopson, managing partner of Sidley’s Washington, D.C. office. “Although their primary focus is on energy and financial services, these are all highly talented lawyers whose practices have multiple dimensions. They have experience in M&A deals, sophisticated hedging transactions and infrastructure projects across a variety of industries that will be valuable to clients both within and outside of the energy and financial services industries. Moreover, their FERC investigations expertise will be an excellent fit with our leading enforcement and litigation practices in Washington.”
“We very much look forward to joining such an impressive group of talented lawyers in a platform that is clearly designed and constructed to promote excellence in client service,” said Mr. Irvin, who will take on a leadership role as a co-leader of the firm’s global Energy practice.
Below is a summary of additional information on each new partner and their practice(s).
- Karen Dewis, M&A, Energy and Financial Services – Ms. Dewis focuses on representing public and private companies in merger and acquisition transactions ranging from domestic mid-market transactions to multi-billion dollar, multi-jurisdictional transactions. Ms. Dewis has also represented issuers and underwriters in connection with all types of securities offerings, ranging from initial public offerings of common stock to billion dollar public offerings of investment grade debt. She has particular experience in the financial services, energy/commodities and general industrial sectors.
- Kenneth W. Irvin, Energy – Mr. Irvin has extensive experience advising clients on issues relating to trading in wholesale power and natural gas, inventory facilities and energy transportation and long-term supply agreements. He regularly counsels clients on issues relating to hedging and credit risks in energy transfer arrangements, contract structures and disputes, and regulatory issues involving energy and commodities trading. He is also experienced serving clients in the acquisition or disposition of distressed energy assets or restructuring transactions.
- Daryl L. Rice, Energy – Mr. Rice regularly counsels clients on structured transactions related to energy, as well as on risk management and internal control issues. He has considerable experience handling energy-related secured transactions and acquisitions and has advised on mirror transactions and total return swaps to pass-through risks from seller to buyer of trading portfolio acquisitions. He is experienced in structuring hedges for the financing and acquisition of power generation facilities and on full-requirements energy supply contracts.
