Cadwalader Announces Launch of Energy and Commodities Advisory Practice

NEW YORK, Jan. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, a leading counselor to global financial institutions and corporations, today announced the launch of an Energy and Commodities Advisory Practice based in Washington, D.C., including a prominent industry team of nine partners.

The Energy and Commodities Advisory Group will offer unparalleled legal insight and expert counsel to Cadwalader clients on all aspects of energy and commodities business at a time when the sector faces increasing government oversight and competition.  Cadwalader plans to expand its Energy and Commodities Advisory practice in order to build on this foundation.  

"We are pleased to be able to add to expertise in the areas of energy and commodities law," said W. Christopher White, Chairman of Cadwalader. "As these industries face increased scrutiny from multiple regulators, our new colleagues will provide our clients the required sophisticated sector-specific expertise to meet these challenges."

He continued: "We are impressed by the work this team has delivered, from Paul Pantano's regulatory expertise to Karen Dewis' extensive global M&A experience.  We are delighted to welcome this exceptionally talented group."  

Mr. Pantano was head of McDermott's Energy and Commodities Advisory practice, focusing foremost on energy, commodities and derivatives law. Mr. Pantano provides counsel on transactional, regulatory, legislative and litigation issues for banks, brokerage firms, energy companies, and other commercial trading operations.  He represents companies on regulatory issues and investigations before a range of federal government agencies.

The D.C. M&A team will be led by Karen A. Dewis, who joins the team from her previous position as head of the Washington, D.C. corporate practice and co-head of its Global M&A group.  Ms. Dewis is experienced in representing clients on a wide range of corporate matters, with particular focus on mergers & acquisitions, private equity investments, securities offerings, spin-offs, governance and compliance in a number of sectors including energy and commodities, financial services, real estate, industrials and healthcare."

Both Mr. Pantano and Ms. Dewis will be joining the Cadwalader D.C. office along with five other McDermott partners including: Gregory Mocek, former head of McDermott's Energy and Commodities Advisory Practice Group Enforcement Defense Team; Daryl L. Rice, former co-head of the Energy Trading and Structured Transactions; Kenneth W. Irvin, former head of the regulatory practice; and Anthony M. Mansfield, former partner in the Washington, D.C., office.

Robert G. Stephens, former head of the McDermott's Houston office and head of the Energy Trading and Structured Transactions will open a new Houston office for Cadwalader. Gregory K. Lawrence, former head of the Renewables practice will reside in New York.  Doron F. Ezickson, former head of McDermott's International Energy and Commodities practice in London, will join the Cadwalader London office.

About Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, established in 1792, is one of the world's leading international law firms, with offices in New York, London, Charlotte, Washington and Beijing.  Cadwalader serves a diverse client base, including many of the world's top financial institutions, undertaking business in more than 50 countries in six continents.  The firm offers legal expertise in antitrust, banking, business fraud, corporate finance, corporate governance, environmental, financial restructuring and reorganizations, healthcare, intellectual property, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, private client, private equity, real estate, regulation, securitization, structured finance, and tax.  More information about Cadwalader can be found at www.cadwalader.com.

SOURCE Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft