© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(April 20) – Barnes & Thornburg recently announced that Will Russ has joined the firm as its first real estate partner in Dallas.
Russ, who was most recently at Vinson & Elkins, said he was excited by the opportunity to build Barnes & Thornburg’s Dallas real estate practice from the ground up and expand its energy practice.
“I came from a firm with smart lawyers and good people and that same combination is here,” said Russ, who is the 14th lawyer in Barnes & Thornburg’s Dallas office.
Russ focuses his practice on M&A deals, secured financings, and projects across the energy value chain, including pipelines, gathering systems, refineries, traditional and renewable power plants.
One of the most significant developments affecting Russ’ practice was the bankruptcy judge’s ruling last year in the Sabine Energy Chapter 11 case that said the Houston company can reject contracts with two companies that gather, treat and transport oil and natural gas.
Russ says he has worked with a number of gathering companies to look at the potential risks in their contracts and strengthen their hand in the event a producer goes into bankruptcy and tries to reject the terms.
Renewable energy is an aspect of Russ’ practice that he anticipates will grow. He is currently helping a company buy ranch land in South Texas for a wind and renewable project, and he noted his new firm has clients that are looking at a number of renewable projects in Texas.
“Texas is strong in wind power, but is looking to solar more,” Russ said.
Total solar investment is expected to more than double this year from $937 million in 2016 to $2.2 billion, according to data from the Solar Energy Industries Association. The growth is driven in large part by investments in utility scale projects.
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