Cadwalader Expands D.C. Office with Launch of Energy and Commodities Advisory Practice

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, a leading counselor to global financial institutions and corporations, today announced the launch of a new Energy and Commodities practice, including the addition of seven new partners from McDermott Will & Emery LLP in the Firm's Washington D.C. office.

The Energy and Commodities practice will advise energy companies, banks, commodity trading operations, brokerage firms and other clients in a wide variety of complex transactional, regulatory, legislative, enforcement defense and litigation matters.  The sector faces increased regulatory requirements and scrutiny as the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and other federal government agencies weigh reforms to existing rules.

"We are pleased to be able to add to expertise in the areas of energy and commodities law," said W. Christopher White, Chairman of Cadwalader.  "As these industries face increased scrutiny from multiple regulators, our new colleagues will provide our clients the required sophisticated sector-specific expertise to meet these challenges."

He continued: "We are impressed by the work this team has delivered, from Paul Pantano's regulatory expertise to Karen Dewis' extensive global M&A experience.  We are delighted to welcome this exceptionally talented group."  

In addition to the six new partners joining the D.C. office, three additional partners from McDermott Will & Emery LLP will join the practice and be located in Cadwalader's Houston, New York and London offices.

The D.C. regulatory team will be led by Paul J. Pantano, Jr.  At his previous firm he headed the respected energy & commodities advisory practice, focusing foremost on energy, commodities and derivatives law. Mr. Pantano is experienced in providing counsel on transactional, regulatory, legislative and litigation issues to all major players in the commodities and derivatives industry.  He has also represented companies on regulatory issues and investigations before a range of federal government agencies, including the CFTC and FERC.    

The D.C. M&A team will be led by Karen A. Dewis, who joins the team from her previous position as head of the Washington, D.C. corporate practice and co-head of its global M&A group.  Ms. Dewis is experienced in representing clients on a wide range of corporate matters, with particular focus on mergers & acquisitions, private equity investments, securities offerings, spin-offs, governance and compliance in a number of sectors including energy and commodities, financial services, real estate, industrials and healthcare.

Kenneth W. Irvin was previously head of his firm's regulatory practice in Washington D.C. and focused on energy and commodities trading regulatory issues, regulation of markets, arbitrations, federal and state energy issues, and structured transactions.

Representing a range of investment banks, hedge funds, and oil companies, Anthony M. Mansfield joins Cadwalader with a focus on regulatory matters and litigation issues centered on derivatives, securities and commodities.  He serves as a member of the CFTC's Energy and Environmental Markets Advisory Committee.

The Cadwalader Energy and Commodities Enforcement Defense team will be lead by Gregory Mocek, a partner in Cadwalader's Washington, D.C. office. Mocek represents domestic and international banks, exchanges, investment banks, commercial companies, brokerage firms, hedge funds, and others involved in the production and trading of commodities by providing legal and strategic advice on a broad range of issues including regulatory, government investigations, internal investigations, transactional, litigation, compliance and operational risk.  Gregory was the Director of Enforcement for the CFTC from 2002-2008

Also joining Cadwalader is Daryl L. Rice, who was co-head of the energy trading and structured transactions practice at his previous firm. He specializes in regulatory, risk management and transactional issues for a range of energy companies, banks, financial institutions and traders.  

Based in London, Doron F. Ezickson focuses on European, U.S. and Asian energy matters related to compliance and regulation.  He was a former Executive Director of the Massachusetts Office of International Trade and Development and former Deputy Chief of Staff for Massachusetts Governor William F. Weld.  

Gregory K. Lawrence, to reside in the NY office, previously served as head of the renewables practice and was head of a global renewable energy and emissions affinity group.  Advising on electricity and natural gas, he has a deep regulatory focus and specializes in federal and state regulatory proceedings before FERC, governmental affairs, transactions, compliance and enforcement and other affairs.  

Based in Houston, Texas, Robert G. Stephens focuses on transactions, and project finance related to the energy sector for a range of financial institutions, energy clients, and private investors.  

About Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established in 1792, is one of the world's leading international law firms, with offices in New York, London, Charlotte, Washington and Beijing.  Cadwalader serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's top financial institutions, undertaking business in more than 50 countries in six continents.  The firm offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, business fraud, corporate finance, corporate governance, environmental, financial restructuring and reorganizations, healthcare, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private client, private equity, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, and tax.  More information about Cadwalader can be found at www.cadwalader.com.

SOURCE Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft