Greenberg Traurig Expands Energy & Natural Resources Team with New Additions

Greenberg Traurig, LLP recently welcomed new additions to its Energy & Natural Resources Practice, which now includes Shareholders Eric Freedman, Elisabeth Yandell McNeil, and Claire Hansen Suni. This trio brings a wealth of experience in various energy transactions, with a focus on mergers and acquisitions (M&A), corporate, and contract matters within the renewable energy sector. The talented team joins Greenberg Traurig from K&L Gates LLP in Seattle.

The team covers a wide array of clients involved in intricate corporate transactions on both a national and international scale. They specialize in renewable energy, sustainability, and traditional power, offering expertise in representing corporate and institutional clients in significant carbon removal offtake transactions. These transactions involve collaborating with owners and operators of carbon capture and sequestration projects, ranging from nature-based projects to more technologically advanced ones like direct air capture facilities.

Brian L. Duffy, the chief executive officer of Greenberg Traurig, expressed enthusiasm about the new additions, highlighting how the team’s expertise significantly enhances their energy group. He emphasized the complexity of energy transactions and the need for careful guidance, underscoring how Eric, Elisabeth, and Claire’s experience aligns seamlessly with the firm’s strategic focus on the ever-evolving energy landscape.

This recent appointment follows the recruitment of Scott M. Rickard, the Head of the U.S. Electric Power & Utility Regulation Group, in the Portland office. Other strategic acquisitions in the Energy and Environmental practices include Shareholders Andrew Spielman, Courtney M. Shephard, and Eric Waeckerlin in Denver, as well as Paul M. Williams in Los Angeles and Austin, and Michael E. Kaufmann in Washington, D.C.

Eric Freedman boasts a strong background in energy and electric utility law matters, with a particular focus on transactional issues like power project development, M&A, joint ventures, carbon dioxide removal transactions, power purchases, renewable energy credits, and sales. Elisabeth McNeil’s expertise lies in energy and infrastructure transactions, M&A, joint ventures, investments, and advising on wind, solar, biomass, and other energy projects, in addition to carbon dioxide removal transactions. Claire Suni, a Corporate lawyer focusing on M&A, represents a diverse range of clients in sectors such as renewable energy and infrastructure, managing solar, wind, and biogas project investment transactions.

In a joint statement, Freedman, McNeil, and Suni shared their excitement about joining Greenberg Traurig, citing the firm’s expansive platform and dedication to bolstering its Energy Practice as significant factors in their decision. The team noted the firm’s presence in key markets and emphasis on energy transactions cutting across various specialties and regions as factors conducive to serving their clients effectively and expanding their practice.

Greenberg Traurig’s Energy & Natural Resources Practice combines extensive transactional, regulatory, and litigation experience across the energy industry. The firm’s expertise includes oil and gas, LNG, electricity, coal, wind, solar, and other renewable energy sectors.