Latham & Watkins Adds Five Energy and Infrastructure Partners

By Daniel Okafor

Latham & Watkins has added five partners to its Project Development & Finance Practice. Jason Bennett, Matthew Fusina, Thomas Holmberg, Jessica Adkins and Charles (Chase) Armbrust joined the firm. The firm says their work covers liquefied natural gas, power generation, renewable energy, data centers, oil and gas, and major infrastructure projects.

What does the new team bring?

• Jason Bennett, Matthew Fusina and Thomas Holmberg came from Baker Botts, according to Latham & Watkins. The three worked on major energy and infrastructure development matters involving large-scale projects. Their experience includes sophisticated commercial arrangements, regulatory considerations and project-development requirements. Latham says their addition strengthens its ability to structure and implement investments across traditional and emerging energy infrastructure markets.
• Jessica Adkins joined from Sidley Austin. Her practice focuses on electric power and renewable energy transactions, including power purchase agreements, energy offtake arrangements, commodity hedging and other commercial arrangements involving electricity supply. She also advises on power supply for data centers. Latham links that work to rising electricity demand from AI infrastructure development.
• Charles (Chase) Armbrust joined from Orrick, according to Latham & Watkins. His practice includes debt financing for utility-scale and distributed solar, wind, fuel cell, biomass and thermal power projects. He also brings experience in financing energy and infrastructure projects.

The expanded practice supports developers, investors, financial institutions and other stakeholders throughout project development and financing. Latham & Watkins said project development and finance are closely connected in major energy infrastructure investments. Such deals can involve construction, financing, commercial contracts and long-term operations. The appointments collectively expand Latham’s capabilities across both disciplines.

“Whether in AI infrastructure, LNG, power, or other critical energy and infrastructure investments, our clients increasingly need advisors who can support every facet of their projects. The arrival of this group was a strategic opportunity to strengthen our ability to meet that demand, expanding the depth and breadth of our market-leading projects practice in energy and infrastructure.”

— Justin T. Stolte, Global Chair Of Latham’s Energy & Infrastructure Group

Why is demand for this advice rising?

Latham & Watkins identified increasing investment in AI infrastructure, LNG, power generation and other critical assets as a factor supporting continued demand for specialized legal expertise. The firm also said capital requirements and project complexity are increasing. Its Energy & Infrastructure Group advises clients through acquisitions, commercial arrangements, financing and operational matters.

“We are delighted to welcome Jason, Matt, Tom, Jessica, and Chase to Latham. They are proven leaders and highly accomplished practitioners in the energy and infrastructure sector, and their decision to join Latham is further evidence that we continue to be the destination of choice for the market’s top talent.”

“This is a time of unprecedented innovation across the energy and infrastructure sector, and no other firm can match our cutting-edge practice, which is leading the way in transforming a truly dynamic and rapidly evolving market.”

— Rich Trobman, Chair And Managing Partner Of Latham & Watkins

How does the firm expand in Texas?

The appointments represent a significant expansion of Latham’s energy and infrastructure capabilities in Texas. The firm’s Houston office is an important part of its global energy practice and serves clients involved in domestic and international transactions. Latham & Watkins also said the hires expand its resources for clients investing in energy production, digital infrastructure and related assets.

“We are thrilled to welcome this exceptional group to our firm. Their arrival marks a significant expansion of our energy and infrastructure capabilities in Texas. Their practices are highly complementary to our existing platform in Houston and around the world, and are further evidence of our aggressive plans in Texas.”

— Nick Dhesi, Managing Partner Of Latham & Watkins

What legal training do the partners bring?

Latham & Watkins listed the partners’ educational backgrounds:

• Jason Bennett earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas.
• Matthew Fusina earned both his Juris Doctor and bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.
• Thomas Holmberg earned his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Arizona.
• Jessica Adkins received her Juris Doctor from the University of Texas School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Rice University.
• Charles (Chase) Armbrust earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

“With the accelerating pace, focus, and demand for sophisticated project development and finance advice on energy and infrastructure investments across the globe, we are excited to add these five leading partners to our world-class Project Development & Finance platform.”

“They strengthen our ability to support clients across the full project life cycle and place us even more clearly at the forefront of the global energy and infrastructure sector.”

— Chirag Dedania, Global Co-Chair Of Latham’s Project Development & Finance Practice

Latham & Watkins expects continued demand for specialized project-development and finance advice as capital requirements and project complexity increase. That demand is tied to rising investment in AI infrastructure, LNG, power generation and other critical assets, according to the firm. The firm says clients need support across construction, commercial contracts, financing and long-term operations.