Fulbright Adds FERC and Project Finance Partners to Expanding Global Energy Practice

Business Wire, May 13, 2008

NEW YORK -- Two lawyers with substantial experience handling matters involving the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including authorizations for LNG import projects, and a third with substantial project finance experience, have joined Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.'s recognized global energy practice.

Partners Lisa Tonery and Erik Swenson have joined Fulbright from King & Spalding L.L.P., while Mark Tibberts arrives from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP. Tonery and Tibberts will be based in Fulbright's New York office; Swenson will practice from Washington, D.C. All three routinely serve as lead counsel on energy infrastructure development matters.

"We have been adding experienced lawyers across the firm to assist our clients across all segments of the energy industry," said Steven B. Pfeiffer, the Chair of Fulbright's Executive Committee. "Our energy lawyers handle a broad range of international and domestic matters impacting the energy industry worldwide. The additional FERC, LNG and project finance and development experience this group brings will further enhance our ability to serve our clients."

In addition to energy transactions, the 220 lawyers in Fulbright's energy group regularly assist clients with dispute resolution, regulatory matters, intellectual property and environmental issues. The firm has served the energy industry for more than 70 years.

"Lisa, Erik and Mark add domestic strength to our energy team's substantial international LNG and project finance experience," said Michael Irvin, the head of Fulbright's worldwide energy practice. "They also bring a strong background in the electric industry, complementing our established practice. As we assist clients through regulatory issues, the FERC experience this group brings will be a real asset."

Tonery is a regulatory lawyer who represents independent developers of FERC-jurisdictional LNG import terminal projects, interstate natural gas pipelines and natural gas storage projects. She has also represented independent power producers and power marketers. Tonery has represented clients in the natural gas, oil and electric industries in proceedings before FERC, state commissions and federal courts.

"Erik and I have joined an impressive team at Fulbright, where providing the very best service possible to the firm's clients is the priority," Tonery said.

Swenson has more than 20 years experience practicing energy law. He represents energy project participants, including developers, equity investors and lenders. He also represents energy traders with respect to regulatory matters and industrial and commercial companies with regard to energy matters. His work includes guiding clients developing LNG import terminals and gas storage projects, assisting major energy companies with acquisitions and dispositions of substantial generating facility portfolios and representing a power marketer in FERC proceedings involving an allegation of gaming.

"Fulbright offered the right opportunity to further grow our domestic practice as Lisa and I searched for a team we both felt comfortable being a part of," Swenson said. "Fulbright's rich history and experience within the energy industry was a draw and we are happy to now be sitting at the table with a group of energy lawyers we have long respected."

Also new to the team is Tibberts, who has spent more than 18 years working with energy industry clients, focusing on the finance, development and sale and acquisition of energy infrastructure projects, such as power plants and gas pipeline and storage facilities. He has negotiated a wide variety of transactions ranging from bank financings to private placements, mergers and acquisitions and Rule 144A offerings. Additionally, Tibberts has handled a wide variety of project documentation, including construction contracts, power sales and fuel supply agreements and hedges and operation and maintenance contracts.

"This talented group is an important enhancement as we work to best serve our clients and build out our energy finance practice in New York," said William Bush, the head of Fulbright's New York office. "New York is the epicenter for financial markets and definitely at the heart of where some of the domestic energy deals are happening. To augment the legal services we provide to the global energy industry, it is important for us to expand our team on the ground."

Similarly, the head of Fulbright's D.C. office said having additional lawyers with FERC experience in D.C. is key at a time when government investigations are regularly initiated.

"Having Lisa and Erik positioned to work with our clients as they attempt to transcend an increasingly complicated regulatory environment is important as we go forward," said Joseph T. Small, Jr., the head of Fulbright's Washington, D.C. office. "Our goal is always to offer our clients the best and most comprehensive service possible. The talented team we have assembled is prepared to do just that."

Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.

Founded in 1919, Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. is a leading full-service international law firm, with nearly 1,000 lawyers in 16 locations in Austin, Beijing, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Munich, New York, Riyadh, San Antonio, St. Louis and Washington, D.C. Fulbright provides a full range of legal services to clients worldwide.