Matthew Penny, an energy and infrastructure partner, has joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher in Houston and Dallas from Jackson Walker. He will focus his practice on the development and construction of energy and infrastructure projects, including engineering, procurement and construction matters and data center development.
Before joining Willkie, Penny spent about a year and a half at Jackson Walker as a partner, as well as a year and a half at White & Case as counsel before that. Before that, Penny spent nine years at Shell as Senior Legal Counsel and later as Lead Contract Management.
“Our clients are undertaking increasingly complex, large-scale projects that require strategic guidance. We are thrilled to add Matthew’s EPC experience at this exciting time in the market,” said Eric Pogue, Willkie’s Global Chair of Power and Renewable Energy. “Matthew’s addition deepens our ability to provide practical, commercial counsel on the development of energy and infrastructure projects, including data centers and large-scale generation projects.”
Managing Partner of the Dallas office, Holt Foster, said that Penny brings “first-in-class experience” for the firm’s energy and data center clients: “We are thrilled to welcome Matthew to Willkie.”
The firm’s Texas lawyers generated $87.7 million in revenue last year, an increase of 15.4 percent, according to the Lawbook 50.
AREAS OF FOCUS
Penny advises developers, investors, lenders, manufacturers and end-users on the development and construction of energy and infrastructure assets. His practice covers power generation, including fossil fuel, nuclear and renewable projects, electric and gas energy storage, data centers and transmission infrastructure and traditional oil and gas assets, including liquefied natural gas. He also advises on contracting structures, supply chain optimization and project financing and has experience in construction litigation and contract management.
EDUCATION
The University of Texas School of Law (JD, 2002)
Emory University (BA, 1999)