Edward Zaelke and Adam Umanoff have joined Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP's project finance practice as partners in Los Angeles. They are being joined by partners Thomas I. Dupuis and Lloyd MacNeil. The lawyers previously practiced at Chadbourne & Parke LLP and are nationally recognized leaders in project finance and the renewable energy industry.
Umanoff and Zaelke will serve as co-chairs of the firm's global project finance practice.
Zaelke, who was formerly the office managing partner for Chadbourne's Los Angeles office, focuses his practice on project development and finance, with a particular emphasis on representing companies engaged in the development, finance and operation of wind power, solar power and other alternative energy projects.
Umanoff has a practice concentrated on the development, financing, operation, disposition and acquisition of renewable energy projects and renewable energy companies.
Dupuis focuses his practice on the development, acquisition, sale and financing of commercial real estate and conventional and renewable energy projects, especially wind, solar and geothermal energy projects.
MacNeil's practice has an emphasis on project development, project financing and mergers and acquisitions in the energy and infrastructure sector, with a key focus on renewable energy.
The news, meanwhile, leaves a void at Chadbourne & Parke.
‘We are sorry to see them leave and wish them well,’ says Chadbourne & Parke spokesman Andrew Blum. ‘The firm has long maintained and will continue to maintain a leading role in project finance and energy, especially in renewable energy where we hold top tier rankings. We will continue to build and add to the very deep and talented bench of lawyers in all of our offices, including Los Angeles.’
