Akin Gump Further Expands Project Finance and Renewable Energy Capabilities

WASHINGTON, Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP announced today that it has expanded its project finance and renewable energy capabilities with the addition of partners Thomas B. Trimble and Jeremy R. Schwer, who have re-joined the firm's Washington, D.C. office from Hunton & Williams LLP, where both were partners.  Mr. Trimble was co-head of the renewable energy practice group at his former firm and a leading practitioner in the emerging markets practice.

Firm chairman R. Bruce McLean remarked, "We are very excited to welcome back Tom and Jeremy to the Washington office.  Their arrival continues the momentum of our project finance team expansion, which had a big boost last quarter on the West Coast with the arrival of Ed Zaelke and Adam Umanoff and their team from Chadbourne and Parke."  As a partner in the international corporate transactions practice, Tom will lead the growth of the firm's international power platform.

Rick Burdick, managing partner for the firm's international offices, stated, "I am thrilled that Tom and Jeremy have re-joined the team.  Tom's broad experience with marquee international infrastructure transactions in key industries and Jeremy's knowledge of development and financing in traditional and renewable energy projects will deepen and strengthen our global transactional capabilities and enhance our ability to address growing client demand and opportunity for global infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and telecom sectors."

Regarding his decision to return to the firm, Mr. Trimble noted, "We were impressed by Akin Gump's global platform, its stellar list of overseas engagements, its superior brand in both emerging markets and private equity as well as its commitment to grow its international business, especially in Asia.  This is an extremely positive move for us and our clients."

Mr. Schwer added, "It's clear that Akin Gump is serious about building and consolidating a top-notch project finance team that can comprehensively address client needs.  This is a tremendous opportunity."

Widely recognized and quoted for his knowledge of, and facility with, infrastructure transactions, Mr. Trimble has over two decades of experience counseling energy, telecommunications and other infrastructure facilities, including transactions in more than 35 countries across five continents, and has advised U.S., European and Asian companies, private equity funds and foreign governments in connection with equity and asset acquisitions and sales, project finance and infrastructure development transactions and renewable energy transactions.

Mr. Schwer's practice focuses on acquisitions and dispositions, financing and development of power and infrastructure projects across the spectrum of traditional and renewable sources of energy.  For over a decade, Mr. Schwer has represented domestic and international clients in the energy sector, including Fortune 500 companies, private equity funds, lenders, utilities, investors, sponsors and developers in the United States, Europe and emerging markets.

Founded in 1945, Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, a leading international law firm, numbers more than 800 lawyers and advisors in the United States, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

To download a headshot of Mr. Trimble, please click the following link: http://www.akingump.com/files/upload/TrimbleTom.jpg.

To download a headshot of Mr. Schwer, please click the following link: http://www.akingump.com/files/upload/SchwerJeremy.jpg.

SOURCE Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP