© 2017 The Texas Lawbook.
By Brooks Igo
(Feb. 28) – K&L Gates has added banking and asset finance expert Michael Cuda to its Dallas office as a partner, the firm recently announced.
Cuda, who was previously at Squire Patton Boggs, pointed to K&L Gates’ expertise and depth in debt finance and energy as reasons for joining the firm.
“I have a very active energy-based debt finance and energy investment practice that features several international financial institutions and energy development companies, so the global platform was very important,” he said.
Cuda, an Arlington native, added that the “cherry-on-top” was the firm’s Fort Worth office. He expects he will be better able to serve potential clients in Tarrant County.
Over the past couple of years, Cuda has advised on the development of multi-billion dollar LNG exportation terminals and represented companies in the development of Texas windfarms. He has also helped companies develop solar projects throughout the U.S.
Regulatory reform has the potential to drive significant opportunities in his asset finance practice, Cuda says.
“Traditional banks have faced more and more lending competition from investment funds that are not bound by the regulations facing national and state chartered banks,” he said. “Regulatory reform may level that playing field to some degree, allowing financial institutions to re-assert themselves in areas in which they have limited their loan portfolio.”
In his energy practice, Cuda says the big news is price stability and the Trump Administration. Cuda noted the “excitement in the air was palpable” at the North American Prospect Expo in Houston a couple of weeks ago.
“Continued price stability will drive significant energy deal growth in 2017 as well as national job growth,” he predicts.
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