Arbis LLP, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP Join Forces in London and Geneva, Bolstering Services to Energy Clients

HOUSTON, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Arbis LLP and Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP are pleased to announce that they have combined to create a premier global energy practice with significant depth and experience advising on physical and derivative commodity trading transactions and disputes.

"We are delighted to join forces with Sutherland," said London Co-Partner-in-Charge Paul Sinnott. "Together, we now have a strong presence in London, Geneva and Houston, where many of our clients, including numerous in common, have offices or do business."

"Our clients will immediately benefit from this natural combination and the depth and breadth that Sutherland's energy practice brings. Sutherland has for decades represented market leaders across the full spectrum of legal issues, including extensively in recent times in relation to significant U.S. regulatory developments," said London Co-Partner-in-Charge Mark Aspinall.

Arbis LLP is a boutique law firm with offices in London and Geneva and features a highly regarded energy practice. The boutique focuses on transactional, regulatory, dispute resolution and crisis management services. The firm is consistently recognized as a leader in both the physical and derivative commodity markets, and its clients include major investment banks (financing and trading divisions), state-owned and leading commodity traders, producers, ship owners, insurers, Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Clubs, and governments.

"We are thrilled about the combination of Sutherland with such a highly respected London firm," said Sutherland Managing Partner Mark D. Wasserman. "The Arbis team complements and expands the services we provide, particularly in the shipping, downstream transaction, and shipping and trade dispute resolution sectors. Between our firms, we represent 11 of the top 15 global independent energy trading houses and seven of the top 10 investment banks. The new combined international practice takes the service of both firms' clients to a new level. In particular, our London presence and the energy experience of our new London partners will provide tremendous value to Sutherland's Houston-based energy sector clients with increasing international legal demands."

Sutherland's leading Energy, Environmental & Commodities Practice Group includes more than 70 lawyers who counsel crude oil, natural gas, LNG, electric power, electric cooperative, renewable and alternative energy, oil pipeline and nuclear energy clients. The firm is known throughout the industry for its in-depth understanding of and significant experience in complex offshore exploration and production disputes, energy trading and other energy-related transactional matters. Sutherland's energy practice also includes more than 20 lawyers and other professionals who advise clients on regulatory, transactional and enforcement matters related to the trading of commodity futures, swaps and other derivatives.

ABOUT SUTHERLAND.
Sutherland is an international legal service provider comprised of associated legal practices that are separate entities, doing business in the U.S. as Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP and as Arbis Sutherland LLP in London and Geneva. More than 435 lawyers, help the world's largest companies, industry leaders, sector innovators and business entrepreneurs solve their biggest challenges and reach their business goals. Seven major practice areas—corporate, energy and environmental, financial services, intellectual property, litigation, real estate and tax—provide the framework for an extensive range of focus areas.

SOURCE Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP