The case arose from the CEO’s undisclosed attempt during COVID-19 lockdown to take for himself a corporate acquisition opportunity that belonged to ZipBy. Although the district court enjoined the CEO from proceeding with the acquisition, the seller ultimately withdrew from the transaction, which prevented ZipBy from completing the deal. The CEO’s conduct violated agreements with ZipBy regarding use of confidential information and breached his fiduciary duty to ZipBy, resulting in the damages awarded by the jury.

With the First Circuit affirming both the damages and fee award, the ruling represents a validation of ZipBy’s claims following years of litigation. The defendant’s assets remain frozen and are expected to satisfy much of the judgment.

The K&L Gates team was led by Boston partner John Cotter with assistance from associate Joshua Andrews.

“ZipBy is very pleased that the appeals court recognized the former CEO’s misuse of confidential information and upheld the US$1.5 million damages award for that violation and the award of attorneys’ fees,” Cotter said.

Released annually, Legal 500 rankings highlight the practice area teams and practitioners that provide the most cutting-edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Research is based on feedback from clients worldwide as well as interviews with leading private practice lawyers.

K&L Gates was ranked in the following practice categories. In addition, the firm was recommended as a “Firm to Watch” in Germany for Intellectual Property: Trade Marks and in Italy for Investment Funds.

Belgium 

• Aviation
• Competition: EU and global 
• Customs, trade, WTO and anti-dumping
• Industry focus: Transport 

France 

• Dispute resolution: Commercial litigation 
• Dispute resolution: International arbitration
• Employment
• Industry focus: IT and Internet 
• Insurance
• Real estate

Germany 

• Banking and finance: Lending and borrowing 
• Corporate and M&A: Corporate
• Corporate and M&A: M&A: mid-sized deals 
• Intellectual property: Trade marks (Firm to Watch)
• Media: Entertainment
• Public sector: Public procurement
• Real estate and construction: Real estate
• Transport: Advice to the transport sector

Ireland 

• Investment funds

Italy

• Banking and finance: Borrower side 
• Banking and finance: lender or arranger side
• Commercial, corporate and M&A
• Dispute resolution
• Employment
• Industry focus: Energy
• Investment funds (Firm to Watch)
• Real estate and construction 
• Restructuring and insolvency 
• Tax

Luxembourg

• Banking, finance and capital markets 
• Investment funds

Qatar

• Banking, finance and capital markets
• Commercial, corporate and M&A
• Dispute resolution 
• Projects, real estate and construction

United Arab Emirates 

• Construction 
• Corporate and M&A
• Dispute resolution: Arbitration and international litigation 
• Employment

Eleven K&L Gates lawyers were identified by Legal 500 as either a “Leading Partner,” “Next Generation Partner,” or “Leading Associate” in their respective practice areas. These lawyers, and the categories in which they are recognised, were:

• Nazanin Aleyaseen – Employment, United Arab Emirates [Leading Partner]
• Anna Amprimo – Real estate and construction, Italy [Next Generation Partner]
• Gayle Bowen – Investment funds, Ireland [Leading Partner]
• Simon Chan – Banking, finance and capital markets, Qatar [Next Generation Partner]
• Friederike Gräfin von Brühl – Media: Entertainment, Germany [Next Generation Partner]
• Amjad Hussain – Commercial, corporate and M&A, Qatar [Leading Partner] 
• Jaime Oon – Commercial, corporate and M&A, Qatar [Leading Associate]
• Paweł Piotrowski – Projects, real estate and construction, Qatar [Leading Partner]
• Vittorio Salvadori Di Wiesenhoff – Tax, Italy [Leading Partner]
• Francesco Sanna – Real estate and construction, Italy [Leading Partner]
• Jonathan Sutcliffe – Dispute resolution: Arbitration and international litigation, United Arab Emirates [Leading Partner]

To view the firm's full rankings, including the listed lawyers, visit The Legal 500 EMEA 2026 edition. To view the firm’s rankings in the UK, please visit The Legal 500 United Kingdom 2026 edition, published in October 2025.

The transaction forms part of Vietnam Airlines’ long-term fleet modernization strategy and underscores its focus on expanding capacity, enhancing service quality, and improving operational efficiency. The investment also reflects the continuing growth in commercial engagement between Vietnam and the United States, and the increasing role of cross-border transactions in strengthening bilateral economic ties.

The Boeing 737-8 aircraft are designed to deliver improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, reflecting Vietnam Airlines’ commitment to sustainable development and environmentally responsible growth. The new aircraft are expected to be deployed primarily on domestic and regional routes across Asia, responding to growing passenger demand and strengthening network connectivity.

As part of its broader long-term development strategy, Vietnam Airlines has also engaged in discussions regarding potential future investments to support the expansion of its international operations and long-haul network.

The deal team was led by Singapore partner and director Duc T. Nguyen and included colleagues from across the firm’s global aviation, finance, and regulatory practices, including Finance practice area leader Robert Melson (Tokyo) and counsels Eric Yong (Singapore) and Misha Kovacevic (Seattle).

Nguyen said: “K&L Gates is one of the largest global law firms in the United States with a strong and long-standing focus on Vietnam and the broader Asia-Pacific region. We were pleased to support Vietnam Airlines on this significant transaction, which forms part of a broader pattern of increasing cross-border investment and deepening economic cooperation between Vietnam and the United States. This deal underscores Vietnam Airlines’ long-term vision for sustainable growth and fleet modernization and reflects the increasing sophistication of aircraft procurement in the Asia-Pacific region.”

K&L Gates’ involvement in this transaction highlights the breadth and depth of its global aviation capabilities, specifically across the United States and Asia.

The firm’s Aviation Finance practice represents financial institutions, leasing companies, and airlines around the world in connection with aircraft finance and leasing transactions, including the structuring, documenting, and negotiating of aircraft finance transactions and cross-border transactions involving multiple jurisdictions. The team works closely with colleagues in the tax, regulatory, and litigation support practice groups to advise and assist financial institutions, leasing companies, and airlines on a variety of aviation matters.

The nominations, representing more than 100 participating companies, were judged by an independent panel of industry experts, with the awards presented in March.  

Raleigh partner Margaret Westbrook, a Restructuring and Insolvency practice group coordinator, Miami partner Jeff Kucera, Boston partner John Cotter, Raleigh partner Andrew Reibman, and Charlotte partners Coleman Wombwell and Sean Jones, a Capital Markets practice group coordinator, led the team that advised Akoustis in the deal.  

Now in its 20th year, M&A Advisor has been recognizing achievement, providing thought leadership, and connecting the elite professionals in turnarounds, restructuring, mergers and acquisitions both domestically in the United States and internationally. 

The following K&L Gates practices and lawyers are ranked:

Chambers Europe

• Ireland: Investment Funds 
• Italy: Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market
• Italy: Real Estate 
• Chiara Anceschi – Real Estate: Finance, Italy; Restructuring/Insolvency, Italy
• Vanessa Boato – Public Law: Zoning & Planning, Italy
• Gayle Bowen – Investment Funds, Ireland
• Francesco Carloni – Competition: EU, Belgium
• Hazel Doyle – Investment Funds, Ireland
• Shane Geraghty – Investment Funds, Ireland
• Roberto Podda – Employment, Italy
• Giampaolo Salsi – Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market, Italy
• Vittorio Salvadori di Wiesenhoff – Tax, Italy 
• Francesco Sanna – Real Estate, Italy
• Paul Tetlow – Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market, UK
• Bruno Vascellari – Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market, Italy

Chambers France

• France: Insurance
• Barthélemy Cousin – Insurance, France 
• Louis Degos – International Arbitration, France 
• Thomas Ehrecke – Real Estate: Finance, France 

Chambers Germany 

• Germany: Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market 
• Germany: TMT: Media 
• Germany: Transportation: Rail & Aviation Asset Finance
• Annette Mutschler-Siebert – Public Law: Public Procurement/PPP, Germany 
• Andrea Spellerberg – Real Estate: Finance, Germany
• Frank Thomas – Transportation: Rail & Aviation Asset Finance, Germany

These rankings are in addition to the practices and lawyers ranked in the 2026 edition of the Chambers UK guide, which released in October 2025.

To view the firm’s full rankings, visit the Chambers Europe, Chambers France, or Chambers Germany guides.

Jimenez concentrates his practice on representing employers in California wage and hour class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) matters, drawing on extensive experience in both state and federal courts. He has also contributed to California superior courts’ efforts to streamline case management in complex employment disputes. This background positions Jimenez to help clients navigate California’s ever-evolving employment landscape efficiently and strategically.

In his previous role, Jimenez represented employees in a range of wage and labor-related matters, providing him with considerable perspective in employment cases from both the plaintiff and defense sides of these disputes.

Gene Ryu, a leader of the firm’s Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice area, commented: “Carlos is one of the leading wage and hour class action litigators in California and brings a wealth of experience to our global platform. The State of California is especially nuanced regarding labor and employment law, and we are confident that Carlos’ deep subject matter knowledge will be valued across our global platform as he settles into his new role.”

Christina Goodrich, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Los Angeles office, stated: “Carlos is a highly regarded employment lawyer with deep knowledge guiding employers through complex workplace issues, and his knowledge of California’s evolving regulatory landscape will be an immediate asset to our clients. His addition underscores our continued investment in California and strengthens our ability to deliver seamless, business-focused counsel across the region and around the world.”

Lawyers in K&L Gates’ Labor, Employment, and Workplace Safety practice and Global Employer Solutions area advise domestic and international clients in the technology, pharmaceuticals, retail, banking, manufacturing, hospitality, transportation, broadcasting, construction, mining, energy, financial services, and health care industries, among others, on a variety of regional and cross-border labor and employment issues. K&L Gates’ Global Employer Solutions team counsels corporations and entities across numerous countries and jurisdictions in meeting the challenges of their global business needs. The practice also publishes its annual Global Employer Guide, which offers a concise, easy-to-read summary of employment law across numerous countries.

In a profile on the firm, Lexology editors write that K&L Gates' Data Protection, Privacy, and Security group "advises across the full lifecycle of data work – advisory and compliance, complex technology and commercial transactions, incident response, investigations and litigation. Its industry expertise spans AI, digital health, financial services and more.”

Partners leading the practice and identified in the profile include Melbourne partner Cameron Abbott and Seattle partners Whitney McCollum and Jake Bernstein.

Editors note the team is present in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia and describe the practice’s leaders as having “an unusual geographic spread, reflecting the nature of the work it undertakes.”

K&L Gates’ Data Protection, Privacy, and Security practice boasts more than 50 lawyers and professionals with experience in various technologies and methodologies. From assessing risk to incident response, breach, and crisis counseling globally, the team is qualified to handle most data privacy and security compliance issues. The practice also assists with cross-border mergers and acquisitions and specialized services focused on emerging areas such as biometric data compliance and defense.

The full K&L Gates profile can be read at Lexology 100: Data 2026 (subscription required).

London private equity partner Julian Grant led the team that assisted Flywheel on the transaction, assisted by senior associate Vijesh Parmar, associate Courtney Hunter, and banking partner Michael Anderson.

“It was an absolute pleasure advising longstanding client Flywheel on its milestone transaction with Solina,” Grant commented. “This deal demonstrates the strong value Flywheel built since its investment, alongside an exceptional management team. We are delighted to see Natural Innovations gain a market leading partner in Solina and we look forward to the next exciting phase of growth. This transaction underlines our private equity team’s ability to execute complex transactions, driving value for our sponsor clients.”

Daniel Greenaway, partner in the K&L Gates London private equity team and relationship partner for Flywheel, remarked: “We are delighted to have supported longstanding client Flywheel on this significant transaction. We have worked closely with the team over many years and look forward to continuing our partnership as they build their firm and pursue further successful acquisitions.”

Avital Lobel, Managing Partner at Flywheel Partners, said: “The team at K&L Gates was exceptional throughout the transaction and delivered a successful outcome in what was a complex transaction. We thank them for their commitment and ongoing support and look forward to continuing working with them on future opportunities.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

“Theo’s impressive qualifications and accomplishments speak for themselves,” Governor Ferguson said. “His colleagues praise his legal expertise, humility and integrity. Even opposing counsel who faced him in court describe Theo as ‘the smartest lawyer I’ve ever faced,’ and a decent, honorable person. He will serve the people of Washington well on our highest court.”

Angelis is an accomplished lawyer with 25 years of legal experience. He currently focuses on appellate work, intellectual property litigation, and general litigation as a partner at K&L Gates. Angelis also engages in extensive pro bono work, for which he has received numerous awards, including the American Civil Liberties Union’s Humanitarian Award for his work on behalf of unrepresented minors in immigration proceedings, as well as Northwest Immigrant Right’s Project’s Amicus Award, the King County Bar Association’s Mentor of the Year Award, and the Kids in Need of Defense Founder’s Award.

“Throughout my career, I have worked to promote access to the courts, a genuine commitment to the rule of law, and to use the law to help those in need,” Angelis said. “I thank Governor Ferguson for the opportunity to continue my service on our state’s highest court and Justice Madsen for her pioneering work making the courts more equitable for all Washingtonians.”

With roots in Seattle dating back to 1883, K&L Gates has long served the Puget Sound community and beyond, advising emerging companies, global businesses, nonprofits, and public sector clients across a full range of legal matters. K&L Gates also has a long tradition of alumni pursuing distinguished careers in public service in the state of Washington, across the United States, and around the globe.

In Washington state, the firm’s notable public servants include Washington Governor Bob Ferguson; the late Betty Binns Fletcher, who served on the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit for more than three decades; former US Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington Michael C. Ormsby; former US Senator Slade Gorton; and the late civic leader Jim Ellis.

More broadly, K&L Gates alumni have served as legislators, judges, senior government officials, and leaders of the legal profession. Among them are former US Senator Rick Santorum and longtime US Representative James T. Walsh; US District Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan; former US Attorney General and Pennsylvania Governor Dick Thornburgh; and former American Bar Association President Michael S. Greco.

“Theo is a remarkable leader and public servant. We are incredibly proud of him and his contributions to our firm and to the local legal community over the past two and a half decades,” said Julie Anne Halter, Seattle Office Managing Partner at K&L Gates. “We will miss him terribly around the office, but his commitment to the people of Washington and the rule of law is unmatched. We wish him the very best as he begins his next chapter in public service.”

“While we will miss Theo as a colleague, we are immensely proud that he will continue his legal career in service to the people of Washington at the highest level,” said Stacy Ackermann, Global Managing Partner at K&L Gates. “Throughout his career, Theo has exemplified legal excellence, an unwavering commitment to public service, and a deep dedication to access to justice. These values are central to who we are as a firm, and we are confident he will bring the same integrity, judgment, and fairness to the Washington State Supreme Court.”

The certification establishes a formal framework for the responsible development, deployment, and oversight of artificial intelligence systems. Following a comprehensive independent audit, the certification confirms that K&L Gates’ AI program operates with robust controls around accountability, risk management, ethics, transparency, data protection, and regulatory compliance.

This milestone validates that governance principles are embedded across K&L Gates’ AI lifecycle—from evaluation and implementation to ongoing monitoring and improvement. As regulatory scrutiny and client expectations surrounding AI continue to evolve globally, the certification reinforces K&L Gates’ leadership in responsible AI adoption within the legal industry.

“This certification reflects our commitment to combining innovation with accountability,” said Stacy Ackermann, Global Managing Partner of K&L Gates. “Clients are embracing AI to transform their businesses, and they expect their law firms to responsibly do the same. Achieving ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification demonstrates that we have built a governance framework that prioritizes risk management, transparency, and trust while enabling us to deliver valuable insight and legal services to our clients.”

Harpreet Suri, Chief Technology Officer of K&L Gates, added: “As organizations across industries implement or evaluate AI technologies, they increasingly expect the same discipline and transparency from their legal advisers. Achieving ISO/IEC 42001:2023 certification is a direct result of the dedication and rigor of our technology, security and information governance teams, whose work ensures that AI is deployed responsibly, securely, and in alignment with our professional obligations. This certification enables K&L Gates to provide enhanced confidence in how AI is thoughtfully and responsibly integrated into our client service delivery.”

In 2023, K&L Gates established a cross-disciplinary AI Solutions Group to guide its firmwide AI strategy, advising clients on developing, deploying, and investing in AI technologies. The firm also implemented a comprehensive Generative AI Policy and AI Forward℠ framework that mandates approved platforms, transparency with clients, verification of AI outputs, and mandatory training, all guided by principles of responsible innovation and human-centric excellence.

As an early adopter of generative AI, K&L Gates employs centralized governance to oversee AI deployment across its global platform, ensuring alignment with confidentiality obligations, data-governance requirements, and professional standards. AI enhances legal research, drafting, contract review, due diligence, and discovery through vetted AI platforms including Legora, Vincent, Westlaw Precision AI, Relativity Analytics, CoCounsel, and Microsoft 365 Copilot.

Firmwide adoption is supported by role-specific training with AltaClaro, as its first law firm partner, and Hotshot Legal, emphasizing AI literacy, prompt engineering, and partner supervisory oversight. The firm’s leadership extends beyond internal operations through the K&L Gates Endowment for Ethics and Computational Technologies at Carnegie Mellon University in 2016 and a founding sponsor for the AI Access to Justice Summit. In 2025, K&L Gates was named an “Innovation Icon” by BTI Consulting Group for integrating AI into its global client-service strategy. 

In 2025, K&L Gates advised JAPEX in connection with its equity commitment in Peoria Resources. This 2026 transaction by Peoria Resources is part of JAPEX’s plans to grow its existing oil and gas business in the US.

The K&L Gates team for JAPEX was led by Houston partner Robert George, with assistance from Houston associate Hilary Soileau, Dallas associate Devon Poage, and Nashville associate Hunter Thornton.

In addition to the fireside chat, offices across K&L Gates’ global platform will honor International Women’s Day with thoughtful client-facing, internal, and community engagement activities that support and accelerate women’s equality around the world. The firmwide programming is centered on this year’s “Give to Gain” global theme, which highlights the profound impact of reciprocity and mutual support within our communities and recognizes that when women flourish, the positive effects extend outward.

“International Women’s Day is an opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made while recommitting to the work still ahead,” said April Boyer, a partner in the Miami office and chair of the firm’s global Women in the Profession Committee. “This year’s ‘Give to Gain’ theme reinforces a simple but powerful truth that when we invest in inclusion and opportunity, we strengthen our firm, our communities, and the profession as a whole."

Bicks commented: “Storytelling has the power to shape how we see ourselves and one another. I’m honored to join K&L Gates in celebrating International Women’s Day and to be part of a conversation about the importance of supporting women’s voices, sharing experiences, and creating space for authenticity—because when women are empowered to tell their stories, everyone gains."

K&L Gates continues to find ways to promote and grow opportunities for everyone at the firm because it is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone is and feels respected, heard, valued, and supported. One of the pathways through which the firm dedicates its efforts is through the firmwide Women in the Profession (WIP) Committee, which is open to women lawyers and their allies. The WIP committee empowers lawyers to reach and surpass their personal and professional goals and provides tools for lawyers to advance their careers through business development, strengthen their leadership skills, and become role models. The committee also enhances the sense of community across the firm’s global platform. K&L Gates, during women’s history month and as it celebrates International Women’s Day, honors the firm’s culture, values, and commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace, where our sense of community is as strong and resilient as each individual who is a part of it.

The K&L Gates Corporate deal team was led by Charlotte partner Sean Jones and Charleston partner Andrew Lloyd, with assistance from Charlotte associates Anna Sgrignoli and Andreas Myers. The multi-office team also included Charlotte partner Randy Clark for tax matters, San Francisco partner Rikki Sapolich-Krol for employee benefits matters, Raleigh partner Nicholle Allen-Steele for real estate matters, Raleigh counsel Mary Kristen Kelly for labor matters, and Washington, DC partner Vishal Mehta, Seattle associate Henry Brockway, and Washington, DC associate Carol Kim for antitrust matters.

“We’re proud to have advised Walex on its transformative partnership with Riverarch and look forward to the next phase of its growth,” noted Lloyd.

Jones added, “This transaction represents a testament to the foundation laid by Bill Williams and his father, Bob, almost 40 years ago, and the subsequent development of trusted brand names in a competitive industry.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions

Eucalyptus, an Australia-based digital health leader focused on direct-to-consumer telehealth services and chronic disease management, has served more than 775,000 customers and operates a portfolio of well-known brands. The deal, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals, is anticipated to close in mid-2026. 

Blackbird Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Australia and New Zealand that invests in early-stage and high-growth technology companies. Funds managed by Blackbird Ventures hold minority investments in hundreds of companies in Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. These companies are typically high-tech start-ups, focusing on software and frontier technologies such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, hardware, and the commercial space industry.

The K&L Gates team was led by Sydney Corporate partner Simon Leslie with support from senior associate Emanuel Penklis. Charlotte Corporate partner Patrick Rogers advised on US securities law issues. The firm previously advised Blackbird Ventures on its investments in Eucalyptus in 2019, 2023, and 2025, supporting the company’s growth and capital strategy throughout its development.

Simon Leslie said: "It has been a pleasure acting for longstanding client Blackbird Ventures on this transaction and to see the fruits of their earlier investments in this company. Exits like this are important not just for the company's own investors, but for the ecosystem as a whole – and demonstrate Australia's ability to build high-quality businesses with international reach."

Anthoney Duong, Head of Investment Legal at Blackbird Ventures, said: "Deals of this scale are rare in the Australian ecosystem, requiring hundreds of hours of work and exceptional legal partnership behind the scenes. K&L Gates has been with us on Eucalyptus since 2019, and their deep understanding of the business and practical, commercial advice on a complex cross-border transaction has been invaluable. It's rewarding to see years of careful work result in an outcome that benefits not just Eucalyptus and its investors, but the wider startup community, proving what's possible when Australian companies scale globally."

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

Gilmour, a Queensland-based firm, is building an end-to-end sovereign space capability spanning the design, manufacture, test, and launch of low-cost rockets and other space technology in Australia. The company also operates a spaceport and conducts hypersonic testing.

Proceeds from the raise will be used to support continued development and qualification of its Eris orbital launch vehicle, which attempted the first launch of an Australian-made rocket into orbit from Australian soil in July 2025.

It will also enable Gilmour to scale rocket and satellite manufacturing, expand test and launch infrastructure, and grow the company’s workforce to meet global demand for space launch services.

Blackbird Ventures is a venture capital firm based in Australia and New Zealand that invests in early-stage and high-growth technology companies. Funds managed by Blackbird Ventures hold minority investments in hundreds of companies in Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. These companies are typically high-tech start-ups, focusing on software and frontier technologies such as autonomous vehicles, robotics, hardware, and the commercial space industry.

The K&L Gates team was led by Sydney Corporate partner Simon Leslie, with support from partners Paul Lalich and Tom Young, special counsels Julie Brown and Justin Chenevier, and senior associate Emanuel Penklis.

Simon Leslie stated: “We are delighted to have supported Blackbird in this landmark capital raise. Australia’s commercial space industry is entering a new phase of accelerated growth, driven by increased investor interest in high potential launch and space technologies and reinforced by sustained government support to build sovereign capabilities. This funding also shows that Australian companies are playing an increasingly important role in the global space economy.”

Gilmour's Series E round was jointly led by Blackbird Ventures and the Australian Government established National Reconstruction Fund Corporation, with additional investment from existing shareholders Main Sequence and QIC Ventures, as well as a number of first-time investors, including Australian superannuation funds.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

The award highlights the significant economic development led by LS GreenLink USA, Inc. and its partners, including the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the City of Chesapeake, the Hampton Roads Alliance, and the Virginia Maritime Association, in connection with the establishment of a major advanced manufacturing facility in Chesapeake, Virginia. The project represents an initial investment of more than US$681 million and is expected to create over 330 jobs, underscoring a strong commitment to strengthening energy infrastructure and supporting regional growth.

K&L Gates served as legal counsel on this transformative initiative, advising stakeholders throughout the planning and development process. The facility will feature a 750,000-square-foot production plant and a 660-foot vertical continuous vulcanization tower for high-voltage direct current submarine cables.

Washington, DC partner and lead of the Global Location Strategies practice, Olivia Byrne, stated: “LS GreenLink saw possibility where others saw an undeveloped 100 acre site—transforming the long idle Chesapeake Deep Water Terminal property into a state of the art submarine cable facility. Led by Managing Director Patrick Shim, LS GreenLink’s vision, ownership strategy, and ingenuity turned an overlooked parcel into a powerful foundation for future growth. We’re excited to work alongside Patrick and his team on this highly innovative project, advising on site selection, incentives, and real estate matters. We are proud to celebrate this achievement and continue striving for excellence in fostering international partnerships that benefit our economies and communities.”

Tyler Hong Shik Won, Seoul managing partner, commented: “I am excited to share a remarkable development that underscores the power of international collaboration. As the Managing Partner of the Seoul office of K&L Gates, I am honored to comment on this significant milestone involving LS GreenLink USA and its partners. We are proud to have supported this landmark investment, which not only advances next-generation energy infrastructure in the United States but also demonstrates the growing strength of cross-border collaboration between Korea and the US. This project is a testament to the innovation and cooperation that drive progress in our industries. It is expected to create high-quality jobs and contribute to long-term economic growth in local communities. The dedication and hard work that have gone into facilitating these investments are truly commendable.”

The deal was led by Seattle partners John Wilson and Caitlin Velasco, with support from Seattle associate Kali Peeples.

Wilson stated: “This transaction reflects how our integrated firm supports clients like Bolt Ventures by bringing together the right team across our practices and offices to deliver an efficient and coordinated outcome. The transaction further reflects the depth and coordination of our Corporate practice and Sports Industry group in supporting deals of this kind.” 

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions. 

Coca-Cola Place comprises a prominent 28,340-square-metre modern A-grade office tower with expansive Sydney CBD and harbour views. The building is located close to the key public transport hubs of Victoria Cross metro station and North Sydney train station and comprises world-leading sustainability attributes, including a 6.0 star Green Star design rating, a 5.5 star NABERS energy rating, and a 4.5 star NABERS water rating.

The deal team was led by Sydney Real Estate partner Samuel Brown with support from lawyers Reilly King, Christina Tohme, and Prudence Birchall. Additional assistance was provided by Finance partner Harsharan Gill and lawyer Nam Nguyen, Tax partner Matthew Cridland and lawyer Alyse McDermott, and Competition Law partner Ayman Guirguis and lawyer Jenna Yim.

Brown said: “We are proud to have supported Soilbuild and Realmont in securing the strategic stake in one of North Sydney’s landmark assets – Coca-Cola Place is a world-class property with exceptional sustainability credentials. This investment reflects the confidence in long-term growth opportunities in Australia’s commercial real estate sector and underscores the resilience and attractiveness of Sydney’s premium office market. We look forward to seeing similar investment activity throughout 2026.”

Realmont commented: “This investment aligns with Soilbuild's strategy to expand its footprint in high-quality, sustainable office properties, and we appreciated working with the K&L Gates team to complete this transaction.”

Lawyers in K&L Gates’ large, diversified Real Estate practice advise clients in a variety of real estate investment, land use, planning and zoning, development and construction, financing, leasing, tax, and litigation matters around the world.

“Being recognised as Law Firm of the Year for the second consecutive year is a tremendous endorsement of the consistency, depth, and global reach of our private equity practice. It reflects the exceptional collaboration across our funds and transactional teams and our ability to support clients on increasingly complex, cross-border mandates,” said London partner Daniel Greenaway. “We are grateful to Private Equity Wire for this recognition and, above all, to our clients for the trust they place in us year after year.”

K&L Gates’ London private equity team supports sponsors and their portfolio companies across the entire spectrum of private equity, from fund formation and structuring to investment and exit strategies, and liquidity transactions, working closely with colleagues across the firm’s global platform.

The new Sydney Fish Market is a landmark mixed-use asset on Blackwattle Bay, comprising commercial fishery, wholesale, retail, hospitality, and tourism operations. The transformation from the old to the new site, comprising a modern, purpose-built market precinct, is expected to attract more visitors, enhance sustainability, and improve Sydney Fish Market's commercial vibrancy. The project’s final construction value is reported to be approximately AU$836 million.

K&L Gates has played a central and continuous role in supporting Sydney Fish Market through all stages of this project and its transition into the new market precinct. The firm assisted with negotiating the development agreement with Infrastructure NSW which was finalised in early 2019, establishing the framework for the development project and the move to the new site.

Since signing, K&L Gates has advised Sydney Fish Market with respect to the implementation of the development agreement as well as associated development-related matters and the leasing-up of the new site. This has included advising on bespoke property and commercial issues, managing interactions with government stakeholders, subtenants, and contractors, and helping to shape the ownership and operational structure of the precinct.

Stakeholder management has also involved supporting Sydney Fish Market with the relocation arrangements necessary to transition subtenants, vessel holders, and licensees of the old site to the new market. This has included negotiating non-retail and retail lease arrangements, coordinating access arrangements during construction, and ensuring continuity for long standing market participants and traders throughout the transition period.

The K&L Gates team advising on this project was led by Sydney Real Estate partner Samuel Brown with support from special counsel Timothy Jaeger, lawyers Christina Tohme and Prudence Birchall, and senior paralegal Fiona Reynolds. Additional support was provided by Corporate partner Murray Landis and Tax partner Matthew Cridland throughout the project.

Brown said: “We are so proud to have been involved and associated with such an iconic and transformative project. The new Sydney Fish Market precinct offers so much to visitors and stakeholders alike, I look forward to visiting the precinct for many years to come. Thanks to Sydney Fish Market for putting their faith in us to support them throughout the development and delivery process for this project.”

Lawyers in K&L Gates’ large, diversified Real Estate practice advise clients in a variety of real estate investment, land use, planning and zoning, development and construction, financing, leasing, tax, and litigation matters around the world.

Ridgepost Capital’s new Dubai office is licensed by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) and will deepen the company’s long-term commitment to the United Arab Emirates, supporting client partnerships across the Middle East. Through the opening of the new office within the DIFC, Ridgepost Capital and its clients will benefit from the advantages provided by working within the DFSA’s regulatory framework.

The deal was led by Dubai partner Farah Al-Nabulsi and senior associate Zaid Abu-Shattal.

Al-Nabulsi stated: “Ridgepost Capital’s expansion into the DIFC is a significant step that reflects both the firm’s long-term commitment to the region and the strength of Dubai as a global financial hub. We were pleased to support Ridgepost Capital through the regulatory and strategic considerations involved in establishing a DFSA-licensed presence, and we look forward to seeing the Dubai office play a key role in advancing the company’s growth and client partnerships across the Middle East.” 

“We are thrilled to announce Ridgepost Capital’s entry into the DIFC, a milestone made possible through the dedicated support of K&L Gates,” said Sarita Jairath, Ridgepost Capital’s Global Head of Client Solutions. “K&L Gates has been instrumental in guiding us through the complexities of establishing a regulated presence within the DIFC, ensuring that our expansion is both strategic and compliant with local and international standards. Their knowledge and experience have enabled us to navigate the region’s dynamic financial landscape, positioning Ridgepost Capital to deliver innovative solutions and long-term value to our clients.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions. 

Published annually, Chambers and Partners rankings are based on thousands of in-depth interviews conducted with lawyers and clients to evaluate the reputations and experience of lawyers around the world.

K&L Gates, as a firm, was recognized in the following categories:

Asia-Pacific Region

• Aviation: Finance

Australia

• Dispute Resolution
• Intellectual Property

China (including Hong Kong)

• Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)

Germany

• Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market

Indonesia

• Corporate & Finance (International Firms) - Expertise Based Abroad - Singapore

Ireland

• Investment Funds

Italy

• Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market

Japan

• Banking & Finance: International

Malaysia

• Corporate & Finance - Expertise Base Abroad - China
• Corporate & Finance (International Firms)

Qatar

• Banking & Finance
• Corporate/Commercial
• Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration
• Projects & Energy

Singapore

• Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Highly Regarded
• Dispute Resolution: Litigation
• Projects & Energy - Foreign Expertise - Indonesia
• Shipping: International: Litigation

Taiwan

• Capital Markets
• Corporate/M&A
• International Capabilities

United Arab Emirates

• Construction

USA

• Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation)
• Hedge Funds
• Investment Funds: Investor Representation
• Investment Funds: Regulatory & Compliance
• Registered Funds

K&L Gates individuals recognized were:

Asia-Pacific Region

• Samuel Kolehmainen - Aviation: Finance
• Robert Melson - Aviation: Finance
• Duc Nguyen - Aviation: Finance

Australia

• Tanya Denning - Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities
• Jonathan Feder - Intellectual Property: Trade Mark & Copyright
• Tim Webster - Dispute Resolution

Belgium

• Francesco Carloni - Competition: EU

China: International (including Hong Kong)

• Guiping Lu - Capital Markets: Debt (International Firms)
• Scott Peterman - Investment Funds (International Firms)

France

• Louis Degos - International Arbitration

Indonesia: International

• Marius Toime - Projects & Energy (Expertise Based Abroad - Singapore)

Ireland

• Gayle Bowen - Investment Funds
• Hazel Doyle - Investment Funds
• Shane Geraghty - Investment Funds

Italy

• Giampaolo Salsi - Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market
• Bruno Vascellari - Corporate/M&A: Mid-Market

Japan

• Dale Araki - Corporate/M&A: International
• Robert Melson - Banking & Finance: International Asset Finance
• Sebastian Smith - Banking & Finance: International Asset Finance

Qatar

• Simon Chan - Banking & Finance
• Burak Eryigit - Dispute Resolution: International Arbitration
• Amjad Hussain - Banking & Finance; Corporate/Commercial
• Paweł Piotrowski - Projects & Energy
• Matthew Walker - Dispute Resolution (Expertise Based Abroad - UK)

Singapore

• Henry Kim - Shipping: International: Litigation
• David Kuo - Corporate/M&A: International
• Marius Toime - Projects & Energy (Foreign Expertise - Indonesia)

Taiwan

• Billy Chen - Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A
• James Chen - Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A
• Jacqueline Fu - Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A

UK

• Arthur Artinian - Intellectual Property
• Ben Holland - Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes; International Arbitration
• Sarah Turpin - Insurance: Mainly Policyholders

United Arab Emirates

• Farah Al-Nabulsi - Commercial Contracts
• Jennifer Paterson - Construction: Dispute Resolution
• Jonathan Sutcliffe - Construction: Dispute Resolution; Dispute Resolution

USA

• Mark Amorosi - Registered Funds
• Jake Bernstein - Privacy & Data Security: Privacy
• Sasha Burstein - Private Equity: Fund Formation
• Michael Caccese - Registered Funds
• John Crossley - Projects: Renewables & Alternative Energy
• Kimberly Frank - Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation)
• Mark Goshko - Registered Funds
• Julie Anne Halter - E-Discovery & Information Governance
• Nicholas Hodge - Hedge Funds
• Donald Kaplan - Energy: Electricity (Regulatory & Litigation)
• Robert Leonard - Hedge Funds
• Pablo Man - Hedge Funds
• Ndenisarya Meekins - Registered Funds
• Margaret Niles - Investment Funds: Investor Representation
• Matthew Weldon - International Arbitration: Counsel
• David Wochner - Energy: Oil & Gas (Regulatory & Litigation)
• George Zornada - Registered Funds
• Robert Zutz - Registered Funds

To view the firm's full rankings, visit the Chambers Global guide.

Located in Locate di Triulzi, 15 minutes from the center of Milan, Scalo Milano Outlet & More was inaugurated in 2016 and subsequently expanded by 9,000 square meters, reaching a total GLA of about 44 thousand square meters. The center boasts a diverse mix of more than 180 national and international fashion and lifestyle brands, as well as offers a wide range of food & beverage options and a Design District, with more than 4 million visitors in 2025.

The deal team was led by Milan Finance partner Francesco Sanna, with assistance from associates Francesca Leonelli, and trainees Angelo Meglio and Alessia Rocchi. Partner Bruno Vascellari and associate Lorenzo Fidanza advised on various corporate and M&A issues.

Sanna stated: “Retail real estate in Italy continues to demonstrate strong momentum, particularly in the outlet segment, where high quality assets with distinctive brand mixes remain highly attractive to international investors. This transaction underscores that trend, and we are proud to have supported Lonati Group in achieving this important milestone. We congratulate our client on the successful sale of Scalo Milano Outlet & More and are pleased to have assisted them in bringing this significant deal to completion.”

Lawyers in K&L Gates’ large, diversified Real Estate practice advise clients in a variety of real estate investment, land use, planning and zoning, development and construction, financing, leasing, tax, and litigation matters around the world.

Following an 11-day trial, the jury concluded that Sompo failed to cover damage to Carlex’s float-line equipment, though no breach was found for business interruption losses.

The K&L Gates team was led by Washington, DC partner Geoffrey Greeves, with Nashville partners Ryan Lee and Jason Callen, and associate Travis Vest.

Greeves said: “We are pleased the jury recognized that Sompo did not fulfill its contractual obligations. Long overdue monies for the tornado-related float-line damage will now be paid to Carlex, along with years of prejudgment interest.”

Congratulations to the following lawyers on this distinction:

• Meg Aitken
• Arthur Artinian
• Simon Ashworth
• Ronald Aulbach
• David Bartz
• Samuel Brown
• Mark Busch
• Paul Callegari 
• Jackie Celender
• Shiau Yen Chin-Dennis
• Walker Coleman
• Christien Corns
• John Crossley 
• Ruth Delaney
• Lauren Donahue
• Daniel Eliades 
• Rong Fan
• Ron Feldman
• Christopher Finnerty 
• Brian Graham
• Bill Holmes 
• Robert Honeywell
• Tucker Idol
• Henry Kim 
• George Kontakis
• Paul Lalich 
• David Lehman
• Mark Leslie
• James Lonie
• Russell Lyons
• Jennifer Marsh 
• Andrew Massey
• Brian Montag
• Clair Pagnano
• Kathleen Parker
• Michael Pavlick
• Virginia Peters
• Naomi Philp
• Alex Rickarby
• Slade Sevier
• Yujing Shu 
• Kathryn Starshak
• Jonathan Sutcliffe
• Vincent Tso
• Artoush Varshosaz
• Coleman Wombwell
• Michael Zanic
• George Zornada

K&L Gates is recognized consistently for providing clients with the most sophisticated solutions to legal challenges around the world. For more information on the firm’s awards and recognitions, please visit: klgates.com/accolades. 

With more than 20 years of experience at the SEC, Bartmann brings deep experience across regulatory, enforcement, and compliance matters including the Investment Advisers Act, Investment Company Act, and securities enforcement. At the SEC, he led the team that adopted the Adviser Marketing rule, supervised IM’s enforcement and examination work, and served as a liaison to the Commission’s Crypto Task Force.  He brings knowledge of rulemaking, cross-border regulatory engagement, digital assets, and fund governance. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Thoreau to the firm,” said Clair Pagnano, a leader of the firm’s AMIF practice. “He brings valuable insight into the regulatory policy and enforcement considerations driving the modern regulatory landscape for asset managers, registered funds, private funds, and fintech innovators. Thoreau’s ability to translate complex regulatory considerations into clear, actionable guidance will further enhance the solutions we provide to clients.”

Thoreau’s arrival follows the addition of other AMIF partners over the past year including Huberta Chow in Hong Kong, Marianna Tothova in London, Eusapia Simone in Milan, and Robert Leonard and Derek Lacarrubba in New York. His arrival reflects the firm’s continued investment in Washington, DC following recent hires including nuclear law partner Tison Campbell, healthcare and FDA partner Mark Ogunsusi, public policy and law lawyers Marne Marotta, David Skillman, Varun Jain, and Tara Ganapathy, energy partner Thomas Allen, and the firm’s first national security advisor Marissa Cloutier.

David Wochner, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Washington, DC office, commented: “Washington is where policy, enforcement, and market innovation intersect, and that is exactly where Thoreau has spent his career. With decades of experience at the SEC, he brings the valuable combination of rulemaking perspective and enforcement pragmatism our clients need to navigate new rules, exams, and investigations with confidence.”

K&L Gates’ AMIF practice has more than 50 years of experience in the financial services industry and comprises nearly 150 lawyers throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. These lawyers provide advice to investment companies and advisers, broker-dealers, emerging managers, and institutional investors across a range of areas, including on investment, hedge, private equity, and real estate funds, regulated funds and exchange-traded products, capital markets and derivatives, ERISA, ESG, and global regulation and distribution, among others.

As a firm, K&L Gates was ranked in the following categories:

• International (Recommended)
• Australia (Firms: enforcement and litigation) 
• Australia (Firms: prosecution and strategy)
• United Kingdom (England and Wales, Firms: prosecution and strategy)
• United States (Illinois, Firms: prosecution and strategy)
• United States (Massachusetts, Firms) 
• United States (Texas, Firms) 
• United States (Washington, Firms)

Recommended individual lawyers ranked in the 2026 edition include:

• London partner Arthur Artinian (United Kingdom: England and Wales)
• Boston of counsel Kathleen Burch (United States: Massachusetts) 
• Boston partner David Byer (United States: Massachusetts)
• London partner Simon Casinader (United Kingdom: England and Wales)
• Chicago partner Alexis Crawford Douglas (United States: Illinois)
• Melbourne partner Jonathan Feder (Australia)
• Austin partner Christopher Graff (United States: Texas)
• Chicago partner Sana Hakim (United States: Illinois)
• Seattle partner Pam Jacobson (United States: Washington)
• Pittsburgh partner Curtis Krasik (United States: Pennsylvania)
• Frankfurt partner Daniel Marschollek (Germany)
• Frankfurt counsel Manuel Merling (Germany)
• Melbourne partner Chris Round (Australia)
• Chicago partner Kathryn Starshak (United States: Illinois)
• Melbourne partner Tony Watson (Australia)

Now in its 16^th year, the World Trademark Review 1000 survey is one of the industry’s highly regarded publications and is based on face-to-face and telephone interviews with hundreds of lawyers and clients in the trademark industry, taking into account depth of expertise, market presence, and the level of work typically handled.

K&L Gates’ IP practice boasts more than 215 lawyers and professionals – including more than 110 registered patent lawyers, agents, and technology specialists with technical or advanced science degrees, more than 40 with doctorates – who devote their practices to helping clients establish, enforce, and leverage their intellectual property rights worldwide. The practice filed 5,475 patent applications and 4,020 trademarks worldwide in 2025. The firm remains the only globally financially integrated law firm offering clients IP services across four continents.

Following this investment, CLI will become a strategic investor in ALP. This new capital infusion builds upon ALP’s successful “Taiwan Model” and its proprietary OMEGA smart logistics infrastructure, underscoring strong international confidence in the company’s regional expansion during a period of global supply chain re-configuration and increased demand for resilient, low-carbon logistics solutions.

The Corporate deal team was jointly led by Singapore partner David Kuo and counsel Eric Yong, with support from senior associate Ying Chern Tan and associate Esther Neo.

Kuo stated: “We are pleased to have supported ALP on this important investment, which represents a strong endorsement of ALP’s vision, technological leadership, and growing regional footprint. We look forward to working closely alongside ALP, as they continue to advance next-generation logistics infrastructure across Asia and beyond.”

Stella Chang, General Counsel of ALP, commented: “We are excited with CLI’s strategic investment in ALP and the complementary synergies this relationship brings. ALP’s end-to-end capabilities, covering smart warehouse development, proprietary automation technology, as well as operations and maintenance, remain a cornerstone differentiator for us in meeting the demands of our valued clients as we navigate the rapidly evolving and complex supply chain landscape in the dynamic world we live in today. We thank K&L Gates for their helpful guidance and support throughout this process, which has allowed us to embark on our ambitious expansion across APAC and beyond and accelerate our next phase of growth.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

* All Singapore lawyers are members of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC, the Singapore office of global law firm K&L Gates.

Seoul managing partner Tyler Hong Shik Won, an intellectual property and antitrust lawyer, was the relationship partner providing Korean and US resources. Chicago corporate/M&A and private equity partner Todd Southwell led the large international transaction team for K&L Gates, which included Corporate/M&A Nashville associate Leah Eubanks and Chicago associate Jamie Thompson. K&L Gates frequently represents clients in similar cross-border M&A transactions and advises companies seeking to conduct transactions and business in the United States.

The core transaction team was closely supported by a dedicated group of K&L Gates partners, counsel, associates, and paralegals. In particular, Pittsburgh partner Scott Graham coordinated certain financing matters, San Francisco partner Natalie Rainer addressed food regulatory issues, Seattle counsel Jacob Moss handled real estate transactions, Chicago partners Mitch Weiss and Jacob Trevick worked on international tax matters, and Charlotte partner Devan Patrick advised on domestic tax issues.

Southwell commented: “We were thrilled to represent a great Korean company like SFOOD Inc. and its US subsidiary S Foods USA Inc. as they broaden their influence in the highly competitive food sector. It was wonderful to work with the dedicated and business-savvy people from SFOOD and S Foods USA. In addition, working together with smart and hard-working team from Kim & Chang helped make this a successful transaction. This deal showcases how K&L Gates is positioned to bring lawyers from across many practice groups and offices to handle complex transactions and nuanced substantive matters for clients.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

Lu focuses his practice on international debt and equity capital markets transactions. He represents underwriters, issuers, and investors in high-yield and investment-grade debt offerings, convertible bonds, medium-term note programs, and a broad range of liability management transactions, and advises investment banks and issuers on equity offerings, including Hong Kong IPOs with Rule 144A tranches. Lu also advises clients on cross-border M&A, venture capital, and pre-IPO financings, as well as US securities law matters.

Adam Tejeda, lead practice area leader for the Corporate practice, said: “Guiping’s return deepens our corporate bench across the full deal lifecycle. He brings pragmatic, issuer- and underwriter-side perspective to complex financings and strategic M&A, and his US securities experience will further strengthen how we help clients navigate Hong Kong-US cross-border transactions.”

Ryan Dwyer, Asia regional managing partner, commented: “Clients across Greater China and the broader Asia region are seeking seamless support for multijurisdictional capital markets activity. Guiping’s track record spanning PRC, Hong Kong, and US matters aligns squarely with that demand and with our strategy to continue scaling integrated transactional capabilities in Asia.”

Vincent Tso, Hong Kong office managing partner, added: “Hong Kong remains a dynamic venue for IPOs, follow ons, and debt offerings. Guiping’s experience on listings and related corporate transactions complements our office’s strengths and enhances the collaborative way we deliver for local and inbound clients.”

Lu is the third partner to join the firm’s Hong Kong office in the last year, following Asset Management and Investment Funds partner Huberta Chow’s arrival earlier this month and Capital Markets partner Janney Chong’s arrival in April 2025.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers assisting clients in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions. The group serves as counsel to a broad array of Global 500, Fortune 100, FTSE 100 corporations, privately held and venture-backed companies, partnerships, private equity firms, other investment funds, management groups, and entrepreneurs, helping to earn K&L Gates the distinction of Corporate “Law Firm of the Year” in the 2024 and 2022 editions of Best Law Firms®.​

Recognised for his two decades of experience in resolving complex disputes, international arbitration, regulatory investigations, and incident response, Brabant has advised Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders on some of the most high-profile matters across the Asia Pacific. His practice is distinguished by a focus on energy transition disputes, including those related to decommissioning, climate change, renewable technologies, and carbon capture and storage.

Brabant regularly assists clients with investigations across a broad range of subjects, including those involving anti-bribery, corruption, dawn raids, fraud, cybersecurity, environmental compliance, antitrust, and tax. His diverse client base spans the energy and resources, chemicals, mining, construction, projects and infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, technology, and financial services sectors.

He also completed a two-and-a-half-year secondment with Chevron, where he managed disputes and investigations for the Downstream, Chemicals, and Midstream businesses across the Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa – further deepening his understanding of industry dynamics and cross-border challenges.

Melissa Tea, lead practice area leader of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice, stated: “Peter’s arrival marks a significant step in expanding our global disputes and investigations capabilities. His multijurisdictional experience and forward-thinking approach to emerging trends – particularly in energy transition and regulatory enforcement – will enable us to deliver even greater value to our clients worldwide.”

Jason Opperman, Australia managing partner, added: “We are delighted to welcome Peter to the firm. His deep understanding of the Australian market, combined with his broad regional experience, will be instrumental in enhancing our ability to support clients facing complex regulatory and commercial challenges in Australia and throughout Asia Pacific. Peter’s sector knowledge and client relationships will be a tremendous asset as we continue to grow our regional offering.”

Brabant’s arrival follows the additions of Perth partner Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia, Washington, DC partner Thomas Allen, Wilmington partner Robert Beste, New York partner Todd Fishman, and Orange County partner Eva Weiler to the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice since 2025.

He is also the fourth partner to join the Australian partnership in the last year who has an energy sector focus, following Tanya Denning in Brisbane, Matthew Osborne in Melbourne, and Ruffié-Farrugia in Perth.

As a fully integrated global law firm, K&L Gates’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice is positioned to assist clients in resolving their disputes at the local, national, and international levels. The firm’s litigators are some of the foremost practitioners in their field, with many ranked nationally and internationally and including fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the American Law Institute, and the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, among others.

Published annually, the guide recognizes the top lawyers and law firms with rankings based on thousands of in-depth interviews conducted with lawyers and clients to assess the reputations and experience of lawyers around the world.

K&L Gates, as a firm, was recognized in the following categories:

China

• Corporate/M&A: Highly Regarded (International Firms)
• Tax: Mainland China-based (International Firms)

Taiwan

• Capital Markets
• Corporate/M&A
• Dispute Resolution
• Real Estate & Projects

K&L Gates individuals recognized include:

China (including Hong Kong)

• Roberta Chang – Tax: Mainland China-based (International Firms)
• Scott Peterman – Investment Funds (International Firms)
• Eugene Yeung – Restructuring/Insolvency (International Firms)

Taiwan

• Billy Chen – Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A
• James Chen – Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A
• Jacqueline Fu – Capital Markets; Corporate/M&A

To view the firm's full rankings, visit the Chambers Greater China Region guide.

The K&L Gates M&A team was led by Pittsburgh partner Ron Aulbach and Charlotte partner Kevin Stichter, and included Charlotte partner Nick Kitko, Charlotte associates Kristin Taylor, Torie Ainsztein, and Andreas Myers, as well as Nashville associates Brad Kilborn and Mary Blomquist. Other key members of the K&L Gates team advising on the deal included Pittsburgh partners Ragae Ghabrial (intellectual property) and Lauren Crossett (employee benefits), and Washington, DC partner Vishal Mehta (antitrust), among many others. The team guided Matthews through all aspects of the transaction, including negotiation of the equity purchase agreement, management of complex diligence matters, structuring of transition services arrangements, and resolution of regulatory and contractual issues.

Aulbach stated: “We are thrilled for our long-standing client Matthews. This deal was an important part of the Matthews strategic alternatives plan. It was a great collaborative effort by the Matthews and K&L Gates teams.”

Matthews General Counsel Brian Walters commented: “We’re exceedingly grateful for the proficient counsel consistently provided by the entire K&L Gates team in helping us first thoughtfully consider the structuring of several complicated transactions and then K&L Gates’ ability to rally so many firmwide resources to cost-effectively lead the completion of the divestiture under such a challenging timeline. This is the second such large scale transaction that K&L Gates has completed for us in the past 12 months and we remain thoroughly impressed by both the wide breadth of their firm’s capabilities and the practical approach their deal team takes in offering creative and workable solutions.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and closing of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

The investment in Tierra Seca and Seven Flags represents Kyuden’s first venture into US-based BESS, following its previous investments in a solar power generation portfolio and four combined cycle gas turbine power plants.

The K&L Gates team was led by New York partner Toshi Yoshida with support from Austin partner Maria Faconti, Brussels partner Francesco Carloni, Harrisburg partner Tad Macfarlan, Nashville partner Ryan Lee, New York partner Jay Buchman, Washington, DC partners Steven Hill, Vishal Mehta, and Marty Pugh, and Kansas City partners John Crossley, Kaitlyn DeYoung, and Brogan Sullivan. Portland of counsel William Holmes, Kansas City associates Jenny Bartos, Andrew Stephens, and Kate White, New York associate and Jane Steffens, Harrisburg associate Sam Boden, and Washington, DC associate Rebecca Kim also advised on the matter.

Yoshida stated: “It is our honor and privilege to be of assistance to Kyuden’s expansion of renewables business in the US. Kyuden’s established electric power experiences in Japan would certainly benefit Spearmint as they jointly pursue renewables power supply in the US market.”

Daisuke Nakai, General Manager, Americas Business Development Unit for Kyuden International, commented: “With deep knowledge in renewables, the K&L Gates team effectively navigated us through our first acquisition of battery storage projects in the US.”

Published annually, The Legal 500 rankings highlight the practice area teams and practitioners that provide the most cutting-edge and innovative advice to corporate counsel. Research is based on feedback from clients worldwide, as well as interviews with leading private practice lawyers.

K&L Gates was ranked in the following practice categories. In addition, the firm was recommended as a “Firm to Watch” in Australia for Environment and planning.

Australia

• Banking and finance
• Competition and trade
• Corporate and M&A
• Dispute resolution: litigation
• Energy (transactions and regulatory)
• Environment and planning
• Fintech and financial services regulatory
• Infrastructure projects and construction
• Intellectual property
• IT and telecoms
• Labour and employment
• Labour and employment: workplace health & safety (WHS)
• Real estate
• Restructuring and insolvency
• Tax
• Transport: aviation

Brunei (as K&L Gates Straits Law LLC)

• Leading Firms

China

• Corporate and M&A: foreign firms
• Intellectual property: foreign firms
• Investment funds: foreign firms
• Tax: foreign firms

Hong Kong

• Capital markets (equity)
• Corporate (including M&A) 
• Fintech and financial services regulatory
• Intellectual property
• Investment funds
• TMT 

Indonesia

• Foreign firms

Japan

• Labour and employment: International firms and joint ventures

Malaysia (as K&L Gates Straits Law LLC)

• Foreign firms

Singapore (as K&L Gates Straits Law LLC)

• Asset finance
• Banking and finance: local firms
• Construction: Local firms
• Corporate and M&A: foreign firms
• Dispute resolution
• Energy: foreign firms
• International arbitration
• Investment funds: foreign firms
• Labour and employment: foreign firms
• Projects: foreign firms
• Shipping: foreign firms

Taiwan

• Capital markets
• Corporate and M&A 

Twenty-five K&L Gates lawyers were identified by The Legal 500 as either a “Hall of Fame” member, “Leading Partner,” “Next Generation Partner,” or “Leading Associate” in their respective practice areas. These lawyers, and the categories in which they are recognised, were:

Australia

• Julie Brown – Transport: aviation [Leading Associate] 
• Samuel Brown – Real estate [Leading Partner]
• Ayman Guirguis – Competition and trade [Leading Partner]
• Stephen Hardy – Labour and employment [Next Generation Partner]
• Betsy-Ann Howe – Tax [Leading Partner]
• Sandra Steele – Infrastructure projects and construction [Leading Partner]
• Tim Webster – Dispute resolution: litigation [Leading Partner]
• Rob White – Project finance [Leading Partner]

Brunei (as K&L Gates Straits Law LLC)

• Eric Yong – Leading firms [Leading Associate]

China

• Roberta Chang – Tax: foreign firms [Next Generation Partner
• Edward Yao – Intellectual property: foreign firms [Next Generation Partner]
• Anita Zhou – Tax: foreign firms [Leading Associate] 

Hong Kong 

• Scott Peterman – Investment funds [Hall of Fame]

Japan

• Takahiro Hoshino – Labour and employment: International firms and joint ventures [Leading Partner: Bengoshi]
• Robert Melson – Banking and finance: International firms and joint ventures [Leading Partner: Gaiben]
• Nobuki Wada – Labour and employment: International firms and joint ventures [Next Generation Partner: Bengoshi]

Singapore (as K&L Gates Straits Law LLC)

• Alexandra Jones – Energy: foreign firms [Leading Associate]
• Samuel Kolehmainen – Asset finance [Leading Partner]
• Joan Lim-Casanova – Dispute resolution [Next Generation Partner]
• Jason Nelms – Investment funds: foreign firms [Leading Partner]
• Christopher Tan – Labour and employment: foreign firms [Leading Partner]

South Korea

• Sarah Park – Projects and energy: foreign firms [Next Generation Partner]

Taiwan

• Billy Chen – Capital markets [Leading Partner]; Corporate and M&A [Next Generation Partner]
• Jacqueline Fu – Corporate and M&A [Hall of Fame]; Capital markets [Leading Partner]
• James Chen – Corporate and M&A [Leading Partner]

To view the firm's full rankings, including the listed lawyers, visit The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2026 edition.

Lightwave sold 11,666,667 shares of common stock in the offering at a price of US$3.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds of US$35 million. The common stock trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “LWLG.” 

Lightwave plans to allocate the net proceeds to accelerate its commercialization timeline, accelerate and expand U.S. production capacity to support its customers, onboard additional large scale design-ins, pursue strategic M&A opportunities or invest in complementary technologies or businesses, and for working capital and other general corporate purposes. 

The Corporate deal team was led by Miami partner Clayton Parker, with support from Miami partner Erin Fogarty, Nashville partner Lauren Ammons, Seattle partner Robert Starin, and Miami associate Stephen Vinson. 

“This offering marks an important step in Lightwave’s commercialization journey. We were pleased to advise the company on a transaction that supports its ability to scale US production, deepen customer partnerships, and pursue strategic opportunities as demand for high performance photonics continues to grow,” said Parker.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

With nearly two decades of experience advising leading asset managers and institutional investors, Chow brings deep knowledge of structuring and restructuring private investment funds and alternative arrangements across multiple jurisdictions. She has advised more than 100 fund managers and investors, designing legal structures that align with client objectives, ensuring regulatory compliance while supporting long-term growth potential.

Chow is recognized for her ability to deliver practical, cost-effective solutions on complex, multijurisdictional matters. Her practice spans hedge funds, private equity, hybrid funds, funds-of-funds, and co-investment arrangements, with experience in Cayman, Hong Kong, Jersey, and other key jurisdictions. Her clients include sovereign wealth funds, government authorities, investment banks, financial institutions, and prominent asset managers.

Additionally, she helped frame Hong Kong’s landmark legislation for a domestic private fund industry and write the Limited Partnership Funds Ordinance (Cap. 637).

Chow is admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales and Hong Kong and is fluent in Mandarin and Cantonese.

Clair Pagnano, lead practice area leader of the AMIF practice, stated: "Huberta’s arrival further strengthens our global AMIF platform and enhances our ability to serve clients in Asia with innovative fund solutions. Her experience in structuring complex investment vehicles and navigating regulatory frameworks will be invaluable as we continue to support clients in an evolving market."

Ryan Dwyer, Asia regional managing partner, said: "Asia remains a critical growth region for asset management, and Huberta’s deep industry knowledge and cross-border experience position us to meet increasing client demand. We are excited to welcome her to our team and look forward to the impact she will make across the region."

Vincent Tso, Hong Kong office managing partner, added: "Huberta’s reputation for delivering practical, business-focused advice aligns perfectly with our commitment to client service. Her addition reinforces our Hong Kong office as a hub for sophisticated asset management work and strengthens our ability to provide seamless global solutions."

Chow is the newest addition to a growing roster of standout partners joining K&L Gates’ global AMIF practice over the past year, alongside Marianna Tothova in London, Eusapia Simone in Milan, and Robert Leonard and Derek Lacarrubba in New York. Her arrival further accelerates the firm’s momentum across Asia, strengthening an already highly collaborative regional team. Working closely with AMIF lawyers Scott Peterman and Sook Young Yeu in Hong Kong, Chloe Duan in Shanghai, and Jason Nelms and Edward Bennett in Singapore, Chow enhances the firm’s ability to deliver seamlessly coordinated, cross-border counsel to clients worldwide.

K&L Gates’ AMIF practice has more than 50 years of experience in the financial services industry and comprises more than 150 lawyers throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. These lawyers provide advice to investment companies and advisers, broker-dealers, emerging managers, and institutional investors across a range of areas, including on investment, hedge, private equity, and real estate funds, regulated funds and exchange-traded products, capital markets and derivatives, ERISA, ESG, and global regulation and distribution, among others.

With a significant background working in and with the Texas Legislature and state agencies, Wright focuses her practice on public policy, procedure, and legislative law. She has extensive experience counseling clients on procedural rules, ethics, campaign finance, open records, and bill drafting. Her government practice includes representing clients on legislative, regulatory, and administrative matters across a wide range of policy areas, with an emphasis on housing, transportation, municipalities, local governments, nonprofit organizations, technology, healthcare, and veterans.

Wright advises clients in their interactions with Texas government, including advocating before the state legislature, assisting with the rulemaking process, advising on regulatory matters before state agencies, boards, and commissions, and handling open records matters before the Texas Attorney General.

Prior to entering private practice, Wright served as deputy general counsel and policy advisor to the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives. In that role, she advised on hundreds of pieces of legislation, including priority bills focused primarily on the budget, transportation, veterans, housing, the judiciary, and local governments.

“Kate brings an intimate understanding of the Texas legislative process, state agencies, and the relationships required to navigate them successfully,” said Robert McCarthy, managing partner of K&L Gates’ Austin office. “With K&L Gates’ long-standing presence in Texas, Kate’s experience advising clients on matters specific to Texas law across a wide range of industries further strengthens our ability to serve clients on the issues that matter most in the state.”

The arrival of Wright follows the addition of several new lawyers and policy professionals who have joined the firm’s Public Policy and Law practice in the last year, including partners Marne Marotta and David Skillman, of counsel Varun Jain, government affairs advisor Dr. Alexis Gutierrez, and counsel Tara Ganapathy.

Michael Scanlon, a leader of K&L Gates’ global Policy & Regulatory practice area, remarked: “Kate’s experience allows her to guide clients through nearly every stage of the public policy process in Texas, from legislative strategy to regulatory implementation. She understands how policy decisions are made and how to help clients engage effectively, pragmatically, and ethically to achieve their objectives.”

With a significant team of bipartisan lawyers and policy professionals who have more than 500 years of combined government experience, members of K&L Gates’ Public Policy and Law practice work with clients through the entire policy life cycle—from legislation to regulation and dispute resolution. The group is one of the largest public policy practices of any global integrated law firm.

K&L Gates Global Managing Partner Stacy Ackermann stated: “We are proud to welcome such an accomplished group to our partnership. Their skill, integrity, and unwavering commitment to client service strengthen our global platform and the collaborative culture that defines K&L Gates. We congratulate each of them and look forward to the positive impact they will make for our clients and communities in the years ahead.”

The lawyers joining the firm’s partnership are:

Lauren Ammons (Nashville) represents clients in public and private securities offerings, including initial public offerings, follow-on offerings, high-yield and investment grade debt offerings, and de-SPAC transactions. She regularly counsels public companies regarding Exchange Act reporting and disclosure, proxy solicitation, shareholder activism, stock exchange rules, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, Section 16 reporting, and corporate governance.

Samantha Beatty (Pittsburgh) advises on ERISA and tax compliance issues with regard to the design, drafting, and administration of tax-qualified and non-qualified employee benefits plans. She also focuses on public company executive compensation governance and disclosure issues (principally in connection with proxy statements), pension de-risking transactions, and benefits matters in mergers and acquisitions.

Christopher Bozydaj (New York) focuses on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments and financings, and general corporate governance matters. He has represented clients in a broad range of industries, including life sciences, digital advertising, industrial goods, electronic chemicals, and renewable energy.

Brian Bozzo (Pittsburgh) counsels clients on preserving and enforcing intellectual property rights for emerging technologies, including cryptocurrencies, the internet-of-things, quantum computing, and the emerging commercial space industry, and is intimately familiar with the flowdown of intellectual property rights earned under government contracts.

Karla Cure (Washington, DC) focuses her practice on US customs laws, trade remedies, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), export controls, economic sanctions, and related areas of national security and international trade laws.

Kaitlyn DeYoung (Kansas City) advises developers, sponsors, and financing parties throughout the full lifecycle of energy and infrastructure projects, including site control, permitting, financing, construction, operation, and the purchase and/or sale of both development and operating projects. Her experience spans a broad spectrum of energy technologies, including renewable energy, conventional power, and emerging technologies.

Neil Eddington (Los Angeles) handles a broad range of employment-related cases. He is most often called upon to leverage his experience litigating and advising on wage and hour issues. He oversees single plaintiff and collective actions (class action and PAGA claims) alleging wage and hour violations, including regular rate of pay, overtime and meal and rest break issues, to name a few.

Jonathan Edel (Charlotte) focuses his practice on restructuring and insolvency matters, including bankruptcies (whether under Chapter 7, 11, or 15), assignments for the benefit of creditors, distressed sales and acquisitions, and other out-of-court arrangements. His clients span the spectrum of interested parties in restructuring cases, including debtors and creditors, affiliates of and investors in debtors and potential debtors, and defendants in related litigation. 

Cecilia Ehresman (Charleston) represents employers of all sizes across numerous industries in complex employment and trade secret misappropriation litigation, wage and hour class and collective actions, high-stakes governmental investigations, and with employment diligence in corporate transactions. Her experience spans federal and state courts and regulatory agencies across the nation, and she routinely handles employment-related matters and issues outside of the United States.

Harsharan Gill (Sydney) is a banking and finance lawyer who regularly advises global financial institutions, private debt funds, investors, sponsors, and borrowers on a range of finance transactions, whether in the domestic or cross-border market. With significant experience in syndications, private credit and restructures, Harsharan advises clients across a variety of industries on corporate and acquisition finance, funds finance, resource and renewable financing, real estate finance and derivatives.

Thibaut Gribelin (Paris) assists policyholders under a broad range of insurance policies such as fraud, cyber risks, product recall and liability, property damage, business interruption, and professional liability. More recently, he has started acting on behalf of crypto-assets holders claiming coverage against insurers covering blockchain-related risks.

Adam Husik (Newark) has a proven track record in successfully managing, litigating, and resolving complex cases and large dockets, including multi-district and other consolidated litigation. He is particularly well-versed in the e-discovery space, leveraging his technical experience to optimize the discovery process and skillfully gather critical evidence.

Nicholas Kitko (Charlotte) focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, private equity investments, joint ventures and general corporate matters. He regularly represents both strategic and financial buyers and sellers of businesses, debt and growth equity investors, and other participants in a variety of transactions across a number of industries, including business services, manufacturing and distribution, environmental services, telecommunications, healthcare, life sciences, technology and media.

Geoffrey Locher (Pittsburgh) focuses his practice on mergers and acquisitions, venture capital financing, asset and corporate finance, and general corporate governance. He represents clients in multiple industries of varying sizes, ranging from start-ups to large public companies.

McNair Nichols (Research Triangle Park) serves as counsel for broker-dealers, investment advisers, registered investment companies, cryptocurrency exchanges and issuers, banks, publicly-traded companies, hospitals, and other entities and individuals in connection with investigations and enforcement inquiries from the US Securities and Exchange Commission, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, the Department of Justice, US Attorneys' Offices, and a wide range of state regulatory authorities.

Lucas Nicolet-Serra (Singapore) advises clients across the life sciences, digital health, and fintech sectors. His practice focuses on complex cross-border transactions, regulatory compliance, and technology-driven innovation, with a particular emphasis on AI, data privacy, digital assets, and medical technology. He is qualified in France and England & Wales. He is also registered to practice in Singapore on corporate and commercial matters only. 

Christopher Phillips-Hart (Boston) focuses on advising both established and emerging sponsors of private funds with respect to legal and regulatory issues associated with private fund formation and ongoing operational matters related to private funds. He has advised both institutional and boutique sponsors on fundraises in the United States, Europe, and globally. 

Jessica Pingleton (Portland) advises clients on domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, from early-stage growth investments to large multi-party acquisitions. Representing buyers, sellers, and investors across diverse industries, she advises companies on all aspects of the merger and acquisition lifecycle, helping clients navigate complex legal and commercial issues while staying focused on business objectives. She also regularly advises corporate clients on commercial contracting and licensing, contract management, regulatory compliance, commercial leasing, and commercial real estate purchase and sale transactions.

Wesley Prichard (Pittsburgh) has diversified experience across all phases of litigation and includes the areas of industrial incidents, emerging chemicals such as ethylene oxide, deal litigation, mass torts, environmental claims, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duties, closely held businesses, and construction disputes.

Jarel Rosser (New York) focuses his practice on commercial real estate finance and loan servicing. He regularly represents national, international, and regional lenders and servicers in connection with various structured finance transactions, including CMBS and balance sheet mortgage loans, private bank lending, mezzanine debt, and other credit facilities secured by all commercial asset classes.

Christian Scarlett (Seattle) represents clients on a range of commercial real estate transactions including financings, acquisitions, joint ventures, and development projects across diverse asset classes such as hospitality, office, multifamily, retail, industrial, data centers, and agribusiness. He has extensive experience on both the lending side, handling loan originations, intercreditor and co-lending structures, and secondary market transactions, and the ownership side, particularly representing hospitality owners, operators, and investors in negotiating their acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures, and management agreements.

Jenny Sneed (Raleigh) advises both public and private companies on transactional and corporate governance matters, including mergers and acquisitions, venture capital, securities and general corporate law matters.

Elle Stuart (Washington, DC) advises clients on statutes and regulations related to the US maritime sector, including cabotage laws, US Customs and Border Protection rulemakings, and Federal Maritime Commission regulations. She also advocates before the US Congress and various federal agencies for a wide variety of maritime industry companies and organizations, including ship owners and operators, equipment providers, and trade associations that support the domestic maritime industry.

Derek Sutton (Raleigh) has particular experience defending companies in class action and multidistrict litigation, as well as in enforcement actions brought by the US Department of Justice Antitrust Division, Federal Trade Commission, and state attorneys general. 

Zachary Timm (Los Angeles) focuses his practice on intellectual property litigation, complex commercial disputes, and appeals. He has represented public and private companies in high-stakes litigation involving claims for trade secrets misappropriation, tortious interference, privacy, consumer protection, breach of contract, false advertising, unfair competition, and fraud.

Brett White (Raleigh) has more than 10 years of experience in drafting and prosecuting patent applications and is skilled in novel artificial intelligence architectures and their innovative uses, including large language models (LLMs) and generative models. He also assists in patent-related diligence matters for mergers, acquisitions, and asset purchases.

Ektimo is a leading provider of air quality, odour, and emission monitoring services to the energy, resources, infrastructure, and manufacturing sectors – sectors facing increasingly stringent environmental and regulatory requirements amid Australia’s decarbonisation push.

The transaction, signed on 23 December 2025, positions Ektimo for accelerated growth as PEMBA partners with the company to expand its service offerings and geographic footprint.

The deal team was led by Melbourne partner Harry Kingsley, with support from senior associate Andrew Saunders, and lawyers Rami Maserow and Seb Kostas. KMPG’s Luke Lawrentschuk and Lauren Morcom acted as corporate financial advisers to Ektimo, ensuring seamless execution of this complex transaction.

Kingsley stated: "This transaction underscores the growing importance of environmental consulting as businesses navigate complex regulatory landscapes and pursue emissions reduction targets. We are proud to have supported Ektimo in achieving this milestone and thank PEMBA Private Equity for their collaborative approach throughout the process.  We look forward to seeing Ektimo accelerate its growth through this strategic partnership."

Matthew Heskin, CEO and Co-Founder of Ektimo, said: "This partnership marks a pivotal moment for Ektimo. PEMBA’s investment will allow us to scale our capabilities, broaden our service offerings, and continue delivering industry-leading environmental solutions nationwide. We greatly appreciate K&L Gates’ guidance and support in navigating this transformative step for our development.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

To learn more about this transaction, see additional coverage in the Australian Financial Review.

The deal team was led by Singapore Corporate partners David Kuo and Meraj Noor, with support from senior associate Ying Chern Tan and associate Esther Neo. Specialist support was provided by US partners Rikki Sapolich-Krol (Employee Benefits, San Francisco), Jay Buchman (Tax, New York), and Maria Caceres-Boneau (Employment Law, New York).

Kuo stated: “HBox is transforming virtual care with an AI-first approach that meaningfully improves outcomes for patients living with chronic conditions while giving providers scalable, data-driven tools. We’re proud to have supported HBox and its shareholders on this milestone transaction and look forward to seeing the company accelerate its impact in partnership with Charlesbank.”

Banuprasad Dhanakoti, co-Founder and CEO of HBox, stated: “This was a complex, high-stakes growth investment, and K&L Gates delivered exceptional results. Their ability to bring together a coordinated, cross-border team with deep domain expertise made a real difference for us. They anticipated issues, provided clear and practical advice, and operated as a true extension of our management team. We couldn’t have asked for a better legal partner for this milestone transaction.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

* All Singapore lawyers are members of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC, the Singapore office of global law firm K&L Gates.

Delivered under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) structure, the transaction required complex negotiations with a global investor consortium comprising UCC Holding, Assets Investments USA, Cengiz, and Kalyon. K&L Gates provided strategic advice on the project’s Public-Private Partnership (PPP) structure, international market alignment, regulatory compliance, financing considerations, and multi-phase dispute-resolution mechanisms.

“Our role reflects the trust placed in us to deliver legal solutions for the most complex and high-impact developments across the Middle East,” said Doha partner Paweł Piotrowski. “This project exemplifies our Doha office’s ability to mobilize deep cross-border capabilities, drive investor confidence, and enable transformative infrastructure delivery.”

Doha senior partner Amjad Hussain commented: “Successfully advising on a project of this strategic and economic importance highlights our firm’s strength in guiding market-defining infrastructure transactions. We are delighted to play a role in the enhancement of regional connectivity and support a long-term vision for Syria’s future.”

With a planned passenger capacity of 31 million per year, the redeveloped Damascus International Airport will serve as a modern aviation hub connecting regional and global markets. The project is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs and catalyze broader infrastructure revitalization and economic recovery initiatives.

The K&L Gates team that advised GACA was led by Piotrowski and Hussain with support from Doha partner Simon Chan, special counsel Guillaume Hess, associate Christopher Abraham, paralegal Ryan Sedgley, and Washington, DC partner Steven Hill.

K&L Gates’ involvement in this mandate continues the trajectory that recently earned the firm the “International Law Firm of the Decade” award at the Qatar Business Law Forum Awards — demonstrating its leadership in delivering operational excellence, strategic coordination, and market-shaping outcomes across the region’s most critical projects.

Following the acquisition of Therme Erding in 2024, the deal marks a further step in the strategic expansion of the Therme Group. With five premium destinations – four in Germany and one in Romania – and 5.3 million guests annually, Therme Horizon is strengthening its role as one of the leading operators of thermal and wellbeing destinations. 

As a joint venture partner, CVC Capital Partners sees this as a milestone in the further development and professionalization of the portfolio – as well as in the continuation of the entrepreneurial vision of the late Josef Wund and his family. The Josef Wund Foundation emphasizes the preservation of its founder's life's work and its close connection to the regions concerned.

The advice was provided under the leadership of Munich partner Dr. Martina Ortner with support from Munich senior associate Richard Resch and counsels Dr. Andrew Stanka and René Wölfer. Additional support was provided by Frankfurt partners Dr. Bastian Bongertz and Karsten Seidel, Berlin partners Dr. Annette Mutschler-Siebert, Nils Neumann, Dr. Christian Hullmann, Dr. Thomas Nietsch, Dr. Ramona Ruf, and Dr. Georg Foerstner, Munich partners Dr. Michael Kreft, Dr. Philipp Riedl, and Dr. Hilger von Livonius, Berlin counsel Marion Baumann and Dr. Patricia Prelinger, Frankfurt counsel Tobias Kopp, Munich counsel Jennifer Hock and Dominik Sailer, Berlin senior associates Jenny Kirschey, Leonie Abendroth, and Dr. Gabriella Piras, Munich senior associate Patrick Glück and Dr. Judy Witten, and Berlin associates Nils Oberstadt, Judith Hirnstein, Isabelle Reinolsmann, Andreas Müller, and Julius Stoltz. The London office was also involved in the transaction.

The acquisition of Lamar Technologies complements Hartzell Engine Tech’s growing suite of firewall-forward engine accessories. Lamar Technologies supplies original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and supports a robust global distribution network.

The K&L Gates team was led by Seattle partner Jessica Pearlman with support from partner Adam Heyd and associates Mark Lively and Devin Woodson. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to help Hartzell Engine Tech further its focus on building sector leading platforms,” said Pearlman. “Adding Lamar Technologies’ capabilities strengthens its offerings to commercial and military aviation equipment manufacturers.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

The project is expected to be the largest single capital investment in the region’s history and will create more than 430 jobs. It will include copper rod production, magnet wire manufacturing, and rare earth magnet production, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting US energy independence.

K&L Gates represented LS Cable & System in connection with the project. The firm’s work was led by Seoul partner Tyler Won, Washington, DC partner Olivia Byrne, and other members of the firm’s Global Locations Strategies practice.

^{K&L Gates partner Olivia Byrne with LS Cable managing director Patrick Shim}

“We are honored to be working on this significant project assisting on the real estate and incentives matters under the impressive leadership of Patrick Shim, Managing Director of LS Cable and System,” said Byrne. “It was great to see President, CEO Bon-Kyu Koo and Regional President of North America Gisu Kim at the announcement in Richmond having flown over from Seoul, Korea for this very important event.”

Shim said: “This investment represents much more than expanding our manufacturing footprint in Chesapeake. We are deepening our partnership with the Commonwealth of Virginia, the City of Chesapeake, and the Hampton Roads region as we build capabilities that strengthen US energy leadership, secure critical supply chains, and support industries essential to the nation’s security and future. We look forward to continue working with K&L Gates on this meaningful project to further enhance our growing presence in the United States.”

The announcement follows LS Cable’s earlier LS GreenLink groundbreaking in Chesapeake, Virginia, a submarine cable manufacturing facility valued at nearly US$700 million, for which K&L Gates also served as legal counsel.

The firm also won two Team of the Year awards in the Banking and Finance and Corporate categories, along with honourable mentions in the Construction Dispute Resolution and Arbitration categories.

Doha senior partner Amjad Hussain, who accepted the awards on behalf of the firm, stated: “It is a tremendous honour to be named International Law Firm of the Decade. This recognition is a testament to the deep relationships we have built with our clients over the years and our shared ambitions. We have advised on some of the most significant and impactful legal matters, and I am grateful for the continued trust and confidence our clients place in us, as well as the unwavering commitment of our talented Doha team, supported by our global platform. We look forward to continuing to support our clients with the highest standards and to play a role in shaping the legal landscape in Qatar.”

The Qatar Business Law Forum Gala Dinner & Awards honour outstanding contributions across the legal profession, from in-house legal teams to private practice firms. All entries were reviewed by an independent panel of judges, composed of industry leaders, academic experts, and senior government officials.

As K&L Gates’ Doha office approaches its 15th anniversary in 2026, this recognition underscores the office’s status as one of Qatar’s most established and trusted international law practices, known for delivering integrated advice across corporate and commercial matters, banking and Islamic finance, projects and infrastructure, real estate and construction, technology, regulatory and legislative drafting, and complex dispute resolution.

Published annually, the guide recognises the top lawyers and law firms with rankings based on thousands of in-depth interviews conducted with lawyers and clients to assess the reputations and experience of lawyers around the world.

K&L Gates, as a firm, was recognised in the following categories:

Asia-Pacific Region

• Aviation: Finance

Australia

• Aviation
• Competition/Antitrust
• Construction
• Dispute Resolution
• Employment: Victoria
• Financial Services Regulation
• Intellectual Property
• Investment Funds
• Real Estate
• Restructuring/Insolvency
• Sports Law
• Tax
• TMT: IT & Telecommunications

Indonesia

• Corporate & Finance (International Firms)

Japan

• Banking & Finance: International

Malaysia

• Corporate & Finance (International Firms)

Singapore

• Aviation: Finance
• Dispute Resolution: Arbitration: Highly Regarded
• Dispute Resolution: Litigation
• Employment: International
• Investment Funds: International
• Shipping: International: Litigation

K&L Gates individuals recognised include:

Asia-Pacific

• Samuel Kolehmainen – Aviation: Finance
• Robert Melson, Jr. – Aviation: Finance
• Duc Nguyen – Aviation: Finance 

Australia

• Cameron Abbott – TMT: Information Technology
• Simon Ashworth – Construction
• Samuel Brown – Real Estate
• Jim Bulling – Financial Services Regulation
• Andrew Chambers – Restructuring/Insolvency
• Matthew Cridland – Tax
• Tanya Denning – Energy & National Resources: Utilities
• Jonathan Feder – IP Trademark & Copyright
• Ayman Guirguis – Competition/Antitrust
• Betsy-Ann Howe – Tax
• Ravi Jayemanne – Superannuation
• Daniel Knight – Financial Services Regulation
• Paul Lalich – Environment & Planning
• Simon Moen – Real Estate
• Michaela Moloney – Employment (Victoria)
• Jason Opperman – Restructuring/Insolvency
• Nick Ruskin – Employment (Victoria)
• Sandra Steele – Construction
• Tim Webster – Dispute Resolution
• Tom Young – Aviation

Indonesia

• Marius Toime – Projects & Energy (International Firms) 

Japan

• Dale Araki – Corporate/M&A: International
• Robert Melson, Jr. – Banking & Finance: International Asset Finance
• Sebastian Smith – Banking & Finance: International Asset Finance

Singapore

• Henry Kim – Shipping: International: Litigation
• Samuel Kolehmainen – Aviation Finance
• David Kuo – Corporate/M&A: International
• Jason Nelms – Investment Funds: International
• Duc Nguyen – Aviation: Finance
• Christopher Tan – Employment: International

To view the firm's full rankings, visit the 2026 Chambers Asia-Pacific guide.
 
All Singapore rankings relate to practices and individuals who are members of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC, a Singapore law firm which is the Singapore office of K&L Gates.

Robert Melson, a partner in the Tokyo office and a leader of K&L Gates’ global Aviation Finance practice said: “I’m incredibly proud of the calibre and volume of matters our global team handles across Asia year after year. The continued trust from our clients drives us to execute complex, cross border work with the same rigor, speed, and commercial focus—consistently and at scale.”

The awards are based on votes, references, and qualitative feedback from in-house counsel and legal professionals in Japan and around the world. This recognition underscores our commitment to delivering exceptional legal services and innovative solutions to clients in the aviation sector.

To learn more about our Japan practice and capabilities, visit our website.

• FinTech Legal (Australia)
• FinTech Legal (USA - Nationwide)
• Fintech Legal (International Firms) (China: International)
• FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (USA - Nationwide) 
• FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending (USA - Nationwide)

 
K&L Gates individuals recognized were:

• Daniel Knight - FinTech Legal (Australia)
• Jeremy McLaughlin - FinTech Legal: Blockchain & Cryptocurrencies (USA - Nationwide) 
• Judith Rinearson - FinTech Legal: Payments & Lending (USA - Nationwide)

To view the firm's full rankings visit the Chambers FinTech 2026 guide.

In the first transaction, the firm advised CCBank in connection with its purchase of 2024 tax credits from solar and battery storage projects in Arizona, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Mississippi, and Texas. This deal involved both Section 45 production tax credits and Section 48 investment tax credits. The closing occurred on August 25, 2025, with the purchase of all of the tax credits in a single tranche.  

In the second transaction, the firm counseled CCBank in connection with its purchase of 2025 Section 45Z production tax credits from the production and sale of ethanol from a facility in North Dakota. The first tranche of this deal closed on November 4, 2025. The closing for the second tranche is expected to occur in the first quarter of 2026. Section 45Z tax credits are available for the production and sale of low carbon transportation fuels.

The K&L Gates team advising CCBank provided structuring, documentation, due diligence, and closing execution for these transactions. The team was led by Washington, DC partner Marty Pugh and Kansas City partner Brogan Sullivan, with support from Washington, DC associate Rebecca Kim and Kansas City associate Andrew Stephens. 

Pugh stated: “The successful structuring and closing of these deals reflects our team’s deep understanding of the tax and commercial aspects of clean energy tax credit transfers. We were able to leverage this expertise to help CCBank achieve its financial objectives.”

CCBank President Matt Field added: “The K&L Gates team clearly understands these types of transactions inside and out, and provided clear and practical guidance in our first deals in this new market.”

Corcoran leverages more than two decades of experience in financial services and real estate finance representing clients across a variety of commercial real estate lending and servicing transactions. He represents financial institutions and servicers in all aspects of securitization, servicing and commercial real estate finance including defaulted loans, assumptions, modifications, cash management and leasing. His practice also includes counseling parties to commercial mortgage-backed securities trust termination and asset purchases.

Rudd’s practice centers around representing financial institutions and servicers in the origination and servicing of commercial mortgage loans. In his decades long practice, Rudd has developed deep experience in commercial mortgage loan origination, servicing, and securitization transactions.  His background spans both transactional work and complex default matters, positioning him to serve institutional lender clients across diverse asset classes nationwide.

“Scott and Sean bring a wealth of knowledge that will significantly enhance our Finance practice,” said Bo Manuel, a leader of the firm’s global Finance practice. “Their expansive experience in real estate finance brings  further depth to our team and strengthens our ability to deliver solutions for clients across the country and globally. Their addition underscores our ongoing commitment to expanding finance capabilities and providing exceptional service in complex transactions.”

“Welcoming Scott and Sean to our Charlotte office marks another meaningful advancement in our strategic growth,” said Brett Durham, Managing Partner of K&L Gates’ Charlotte office. “Their strong ties to the local legal and commercial real estate finance communities, along with their proven experience, will deepen our capabilities in Charlotte and reinforce our commitment to delivering exceptional service across our global platform.”

These hires continue to enhance the firm’s global Finance practice following the addition of several new partners this year including Seth Ivey also in Charlotte, Gareth McCarter in London, and Rob White in Sydney.

K&L Gates’ global Finance practice integrates the many disciplines involved in financing and restructuring transactions across markets and industries around the globe. With lawyers in offices across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America, the practice maintains a balance between buy-side and sell-side representation in its work on behalf of lenders, borrowers, servicers, collateral managers, trustees, rating agencies, investors, and other participants in a wide array of financing transactions.

The litigation centered on allegations concerning the AAF’s sudden halt of operations and subsequent bankruptcy. In its decision, the court found that the league’s collapse stemmed from substantial preexisting liabilities predating DCP’s involvement, and concluded that Dundon and Zutter acted appropriately and in good faith in their efforts to stabilize the organization. The ruling affirms that neither executive caused the league’s demise and instead made significant attempts to sustain its operations under extraordinarily challenging circumstances.

“Tom came in hopeful that he could save the AAF and make it a permanent fixture on the professional sports scene,” said K&L Gates Dallas partner Brent Hockaday. “Despite his efforts, energy, and financial commitments, it quickly became clear that the AAF’s leadership had misrepresented its standing, and the league was simply beyond repair. We are very grateful for the court’s determination. This was a team win for our clients first and foremost, but also our firm and my friends at Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP, with whom I started this journey six years ago and worked hand-in-hand through nearly every critical step and juncture through trial.”

The K&L Gates team representing DCP and its executives throughout the multi-year litigation was led by Hockaday, with support from Dallas associates Ben Nabors and Suzi Goebel, and Chicago of counsel Alicia Hawley.

The win was covered by several media outlets including The Texas LawBook, Texas Lawyer, Bloomberg Law, The Am Law Litigation Daily, Sportico, and the San Antonio Express News. 

The trains will be leased via Rock Rail ENORM Limited, a leasing company, to DB Regio AG enabling the provision of the transport services commissioned by the State of Saxony-Anhalt, the State of Brandenburg, Landesnahverkehrsgesellschaft Niedersachsen mbH and Regionalverband Großraum Braunschweig. Financing is provided through equity from Infracapital and Rock Rail and debt financing from various European infrastructure debt investors arranged by MEAG.

Rock Rail Holdings Limited is a UK-based independent developer, owner, asset manager and lessor of rolling stock and other rail infrastructure established in 2014. Since 2016, the company has acquired over £3 billion worth of rail assets.

Infracapital is part of M&G Plc and a leading European infrastructure investor, investing in, building and managing a diverse range of essential infrastructure to meet the changing needs of society and support long-term economic growth. The founder-led team of experienced specialists has worked with more than 60 companies around Europe and has raised and managed over €9 billion of client capital across seven funds. 

This includes advising Rock Rail and Infracapital on operating lease arrangements for multiple Lots of the MDSB 2025+ electric trains in 2023 and 2024, as well as on August 2025 transaction concerning operating lease agreements for battery-electric passenger trains, and providing advice to Rock Rail in the tendering process of the Westphalia-Lippe Local Transport Association (NWL) for the financing and provision of 61 new battery trains for the Northern Westphalia network via a leasing model, for which Rock Rail was awarded the contract in September 2025.

The team that advised Rock Rail Holdings Limited and Infracapital was jointly led by Frankfurt partner Dr. Frank Thomas and Munich counsel Anne Thümmel-Barz (both Banking & Asset Finance), supported by Munich senior associate Patrick Glück (Banking & Finance), Berlin partners Dr. Annette Mutschler-Siebert (Procurement Law) and Dr. Christian Hullmann (Public Law) and Berlin counsel Dr. Olaf Fiss (Intellectual Property (IP).

For the ninth quarter in a row, the firm has been recognized by The Deal among the top 50 law firms in private equity rankings. This comes following K&L Gates’ recognition as the lead outside counsel for one of the top 50 US based private equity sponsors based on the number of deals done since 2023 and the size of those transactions.

Pittsburgh partner Chris Thel stated: “We are proud of the continued recognition of our firm as a global leader in private equity and other corporate transactions. K&L Gates’ breadth of knowledge throughout the world is a key differentiator that allows us to consistently deliver exceptional service to our clients. We are most honored to partner with so many innovative clients, including our long-standing relationships with top private equity sponsors.”

The Deal 

• Top 50 legal advisers for Global Private Equity Deals for nine consecutive quarters. 

Pitchbook

• Top 25 law firm advising on private equity deals in the IT sector. 
• #6 law firm, most active in representing investors outside of US and Europe; #9 law firm, most active in venture capital deals outside of US and Europe; and #24 law firm, most active in early stage.

LSEG 

• Top 10 legal adviser in Global M&A Small-Cap with Australia and New Zealand involvement for three consecutive quarters. 
• Top 20 legal adviser in Global M&A Mid-Market with Australia and New Zealand involvement for six consecutive quarters. 
• Top 20 global legal adviser to companies on LBO & Related Rounds based on number of rounds.
• Top 20 legal adviser to companies in the Asia Pacific region in all private equity stages based on round value for three consecutive quarters.  
• Top 25 global legal adviser to companies at all private equity stages based on number of rounds.

Bloomberg 

• #1 legal adviser by deal count and #2 legal adviser by deal volume in AIM Equity Offerings.
• Top 10 legal adviser in Australia/New Zealand Equity & Rights Offerings for six consecutive quarters. 

MergerMarket 

• Top 20 legal adviser for M&A in Australasia for seven consecutive quarters. 

S&P 

• #5 legal adviser by deal count and #6 by deal value in specialty finance and mortgage REIT. 

Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Seattle, Washington, LIGHTEL designs, manufactures, and supplies a broad range of products and services for the global fiber optics industry. It operates R&D, manufacturing, and management centers in the United States, China, and Taiwan.

The team that advised LIGHTEL on the listing was led by Taipei partners James Chen and Cheryl Hsieh, with support from counsel Albert Wang. Seattle-based partner Christopher Cunningham advised on US legal issues.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.
 

The K&L Gates team advising Bluestone Bank is being led by Boston partners Rob Tammero and Grant Butler with support from Boston associate Anastassia Korin, Seattle partner Doug Love, Pittsburgh partner Michael Hart and associate Samantha Beatty, Boston partners Kathleen Parker, Joel Almquist, Stan Ragalevsky, and James Fajkowski, Harrisburg partner Tad Macfarlan, and Chicago partner Corey Bieber.

Founded in 2008, Acumen has built strong momentum within the Sage ecosystem, providing implementation and support services for solutions including Sage 300 and Sage Intacct, with particular strengths in the hospitality and heavy equipment sectors. Under the transaction, Acumen will continue its operations within Pine Services Group, expanding Pine’s Sage expertise and vertical capabilities.

The K&L Gates team was led by Seattle corporate partner Adam Heyd and corporate associates Mark Lively and Kali Peeples, with support from Rob Starin, Catherine Smith, Yami Hurtado, Karrie Diaz, and Mark Wittow.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

Honea focuses his legal practice on a host of matters related to maritime law. In particular, Honea has considerable experience with cases involving major maritime casualties including fires, collisions, oil spills, groundings, and cargo container stack collapse. He has also defended clients concerning regulatory violations, environmental pollution, charterparty disputes and arbitration, cargo damage, and vessel arrests.

Before embarking on his legal career, Honea served as a commissioned officer in the US Navy, where he was stationed aboard a guided missile destroyer and various patrol craft. He qualified as both a deck and engineering watch officer and as the ship’s principal navigator. Honea led a team of 11 sailors responsible for the operation and maintenance of the destroyer’s missile system and later oversaw patrol boat operations during two six-month deployments in the Persian Gulf, leading a maritime boarding party.

“Tanner’s arrival marks an exciting development for our firm. His hands-on experience and proven leadership in the US Navy bring a valuable perspective to our clients facing maritime challenges,” said John Crossley, leader of K&L Gates’ global Energy, Infrastructure, and Resources practice. “Beyond the maritime sector, Tanner’s operational insight and strategic approach will positively influence our Energy practice as a whole, enhancing our ability to deliver practical, forward-thinking counsel to clients navigating complex issues across the energy and infrastructure landscape.”

John Bicks, managing partner of K&L Gates’ New York office, stated: “Tanner’s arrival further strengthens our Maritime practice across our global platform. His legal career and operational experience in the US Navy—whether guiding teams through complex litigation or leading demanding deployments—align with our commitment to delivering practical, strategic counsel to clients worldwide. We look forward to the contributions Tanner will make as we continue to serve the maritime industry on an international scale.”

Honea’s arrival closely follows the additions of Dr. Alexis Gutierrez and Michael Heard Snow, whose experience with the US Department of Commerce's National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration also enhance the firm’s internationally focused maritime law capabilities.

K&L Gates offers the US and international maritime industry comprehensive legal, transactional, legislative, and regulatory capabilities. The lawyers’ combined knowledge and experience, along with the firm’s global presence, enables the Maritime group to assist clients seamlessly with their legal service needs, including, among others, corporate, vessel finance, trading activities, insurance coverage issues, charter parties, cargo claims, casualty, admiralty, ship building, and Jones Act issues.

Now celebrating its fifth edition and marking 25 years of ETFs, Europe’s most important ETF awards remain the benchmark of success for the ETF industry and celebrate the achievements of the European ecosystem. 

The editorial team at ETF Stream selected the shortlist following a rigorous review of more than 350 entries. Two judging panels of 18 external experts from across the European ETF industry and buyside will evaluate the submissions and cast their votes to decide the winner in more than 20 awards categories. 

To learn more about K&L Gates’ ETF services, please click here.

The K&L Gates team that advised WesBanco on this matter was led by Pittsburgh partner Jeff Acre with support from Pittsburgh partner Henry Snyder, Charlotte partner Sean Jones, New York partners Rob Sichel and Marc Veilleux, New York associate Leigh Krafchek, and Pittsburgh associate Michael Stepan.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

With more than 18 years of experience, Kostytska has acted as lead counsel in investor-state and commercial arbitration and litigation across both civil and common law jurisdictions. Her experience spans a wide range of sectors, including oil and gas, renewable energy, utilities, infrastructure, banking, aviation, and manufacturing. She also regularly serves as an arbitrator.

Kostytska is admitted to practice in the United States (New York and Washington, DC), France (Paris), and England and Wales (Barrister). She is fluent in English, French, Ukrainian, Russian, and Spanish.

Previously, she served as a Court Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in Paris and as a founding Council Member of the Georgian International Arbitration Centre (GIAC) in Tbilisi. Additionally, she is a member of the Panel of Arbitrators of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC).

“Maria’s arrival is a significant enhancement to our International Arbitration practice, regionally and globally,” said Melissa Tea, leader of K&L Gates' global Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice. “She is the third international arbitration partner to join our team this year with extensive experience in the energy, infrastructure, and resources sector, following additions in Washington, DC and Perth. Together, they reflect our continued investment in building a globally integrated team that can meet the evolving needs of clients who are increasingly facing complex, high-stakes disputes.”

“We’re thrilled to welcome Maria to the firm,” stated Louis Degos, Paris office managing partner. “Her leadership skills and arbitration experience, especially her knowledge of the energy and infrastructure sectors, further strengthen our ability to advise clients on sophisticated disputes across Europe and beyond. Her arrival bolsters our regional and international practice credentials, underscoring our commitment to delivering exceptional legal advice from Paris.”

Kostytska’s arrival follows the additions of Perth partner Rodolphe Ruffié-Farrugia, Washington, DC partner Thomas Allen, Wilmington partner Robert Beste, New York partner Todd Fishman, Orange County partner Eva Weiler, and Seattle partner John Bender to the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice in the last year.

The firm’s International Arbitration practice group comprises more than 100 lawyers in key arbitration centers, including New York, Miami, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Sydney. The group is active in domestic and international arbitrations across a wide range of sectors, from construction and engineering to insurance coverage to sports to securities, administered by arbitration institutions around the world. 

At closing, Albemarle and KPS, through affiliates, will own approximately 49% and 51% of Ketjen, respectively, with KPS having a majority of the Board of Directors and operational control of Ketjen. Separately, Albemarle will sell the entirety of its 50% interest in the Eurecat joint venture to Axens SA. The transactions are expected to close in the first half of 2026, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals. Across the two transactions, Albemarle expects to receive total pre-tax proceeds of approximately $660 million, while also retaining an approximately 49% stake in Ketjen.

The K&L Gates M&A team was led by Charlotte partner Leah Baucom, with assistance from Charlotte associates Nick Kitko, Anna Sgrignoli, and Dylan Blackburn, and Raleigh associate Austin Panameno. Charlotte partner Randy Clark counseled on tax matters. The securities team was led by Charlotte partners Sean Jones and Coleman Wombwell. San Francisco partner Rikki Sapolich-Krol and Seattle associate Rachel Morowitz advised on employee benefits and executive compensation matters, and Pittsburgh partner Michael Pavlick, Raleigh partner David Lindsay, and Charlotte associate Brittany Raia provided advice on labor, employment, and workplace safety matters. Boston partner James Fajkowski provided intellectual property counsel, Seattle partner Jake Bernstein and Washington, DC associate Eric Vicente Flores advised on data privacy and security matters, Harrisburg partner Tad Macfarlan and associate Sam Boden provided advice on environmental matters. Pittsburgh partner Jessica White advised on real estate issues. Charlotte based partner Marla Tun Reschly also provided strategic advice on the transaction.

The sale of Ketjen’s Eurecat interest was led by Paris partner Raphael Bloch, with assistance from Paris senior associate Martin Borey.

Baucom stated: “This transaction showcases K&L Gates’ ability to seamlessly coordinate across our global platform and draw on the strengths of our multidisciplinary teams. Advising Albemarle on complex cross-border deals reflects our commitment to delivering comprehensive solutions that address every facet of our clients’ strategic objectives. We are proud to support Albemarle in advancing its vision and look forward to seeing Ketjen thrive in its next chapter.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

The fundraising, which raised approximately £10.5 million in aggregate, included a £0.5 million retail offer via the Winterflood Retail Access Platform. The proceeds will support Gelion’s continued development of its innovative energy storage technologies and commercial growth initiatives.

The K&L Gates team that advised on the transaction was led by London partner James Green, with support from Rob Boughey and Anna Carter.

Green commented: “We were delighted to have worked with Strand, Allenby Capital, and Oberon on this successful fundraising by Gelion. This was the fourth fundraising for Gelion that we have advised on since 2021, when we advised on Gelion’s admission to AIM.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

The new partnership with CraneWorks provides the company with capital and strategic support to expand its fleet, deepen its service offerings, and reinforce the CraneWorks culture of quality and safety. It also continues Carousel Capital’s longstanding focus on partnering with founder-led businesses in the Southeastern United States.

Jason Schmidly, Managing Partner of Carousel, commented: “K&L Gates was a fantastic partner throughout this process. Their team brought sharp insight and steady guidance that helped us work through the details and get the deal done right. We made some important commitments to the CraneWorks owners, and with the support of the K&L Gates team, we were able to deliver on every one of them. We’re excited about what’s ahead for CraneWorks, and grateful for the support that helped make it happen.”

“We are thrilled for Carousel Capital as they look forward to a great partnership with the CraneWorks’ team,” said K&L Gates partner Britt Doolittle. “We are grateful for the longstanding relationship with Carousel, and to have such a talented bench of colleagues across disciplines who enabled us to provide a successful outcome for our client.”

The K&L Gates team was led by Charlotte partners Britt Doolittle and Kevin Stichter with support from Charleston partner Jennifer Thiem, Charlotte partners Christine Hoke and Jared Mobley, Chicago partner Kate Starshak, Raleigh partners Stanford Baird and David Lindsay, San Francisco partner Rikki Sapolich-Krol, Seattle partner Jake Bernstein, Charlotte counsel Hillary Dawe, Charleston associates Claire Healy, Ryan DeSimone, and Paul Hotchkiss, Charlotte associates Dylan Blackburn, France Beard Johnson, Luke Kessel and Tyler Wyckoff, Chicago associate Aylissa Ritterhoff, Pittsburgh associate Samantha Beatty, Raleigh associates Ninamarie Moore and Caitlin Sarpal, and Seattle associate Jane Petoskey.

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices across the globe providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

This year, K&L Gates received more than 200 first-tier practice rankings and 316 rankings overall, including nearly 35 national first-tier rankings and more than 170 first-tier honors across 22 state and metropolitan regions. The firm’s achievements span 70 different practice areas, highlighting its wide-ranging capabilities and commitment to excellence.

The practices in which K&L Gates has been recognized with national first-tier rankings in the 2026 edition are:

• Admiralty and Maritime Law
• Banking and Finance Law
• Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
• Commercial Litigation
• Copyright Law
• Corporate Law
• Criminal Defense: White-Collar
• Employment Law - Management
• Energy Law
• Environmental Law
• Financial Services Regulation Law
• Health Care Law
• Labor Law - Management
• Land Use & Zoning Law
• Litigation - Bankruptcy
• Litigation - Environmental
• Litigation - Intellectual Property
• Litigation - Labor and Employment
• Litigation - Patent
• Litigation - Securities
• Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants
• Mergers & Acquisitions Law
• Oil & Gas Law
• Patent Law
• Private Funds / Hedge Funds Law
• Real Estate Law
• Securities Regulation
• Securitization and Structured Finance Law
• Tax Law
• Technology Law
• Trademark Law
• Trust and Estates Law
• Venture Capital Law

The Best Law Firms publication, now in its 16th year, evaluates top-performing firms across 127 practice areas and 188 jurisdictions nationwide. Rankings are determined through client feedback, peer reviews, leader interviews, and analysis of firm data. This year’s survey incorporated over 26 million evaluations of more than 129,000 individual lawyers from more than 24,000 firms. A complete list of K&L Gates’ 2026 rankings can be found here. 

The firm assisted with key legal aspects of the expansion, including advising on equity structuring, negotiating shareholders agreements, share subscription agreements, and lease agreements, as well as assisting with employment and intellectual property related matters for the new entity, enabling Healthy Strides to establish a strong legal and operational foundation for its first international clinic.

Founded by Dayna Pool, the Foundation is known for its innovative, research-driven model of care and its commitment to improving the lives of children with neurological challenges. The Singapore launch marks a significant milestone in the Foundation’s mission to expand access to high-quality paediatric therapy across the region.

The Singapore Corporate team was led by partner Marius Toime, with support from partner Christopher Tan (Employment), of counsel Lai Foong Chan (Real Estate), senior associate Su Yun Kiew, and associate Esther Neo. Additional support was provided by Australian Corporate partner Adam Levine and Intellectual Property partner Chris Round. 

Toime stated: “We are proud to support Healthy Strides Foundation in bringing its transformative work to Singapore. This initiative reflects the power of cross-border collaboration in advancing paediatric care and community impact.”

Levine stated: “Supporting Healthy Strides Foundation in its international expansion has been a deeply rewarding experience. This initiative not only reflects the strength of Australia’s charitable innovation but also demonstrates how thoughtful legal structuring can empower organisations to scale their impact globally. We’re proud to help lay the groundwork for a clinic that will change lives across borders.”

Dayna Pool, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Healthy Strides Foundation, said: “Our growth has only been possible because of the kind of support the K&L Gates team has provided.  We couldn’t have navigated this unknown territory without them steering us in the right direction every time we faced obstacles and uncertainty.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices on five continents providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

* All Singapore lawyers are members of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC, the Singapore office of global law firm K&L Gates.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first half of 2026 pending regulatory approval and customary closing conditions, marks Federated Hermes’ second private markets acquisition of 2025. It follows the firm’s April purchase of Rivington Energy Management and underscores its continued expansion into alternative asset classes.

FCP specializes in US multifamily real estate, deploying both equity and select debt strategies. Since its founding, the firm has invested in, operated, or financed more than US$14.6 billion in gross asset value, including more than 75,000 apartment units. FCP’s team of more than 75 professionals will continue to manage the business from its six US offices, maintaining deep coverage across 19 high-growth metro areas.

The deal was led by Chicago partner Brent Williams with relationship partners Clair Pagnano, leader of the firm’s global Asset Management and Investment Funds practice, and Michael Caccese, firm co-chair.

Pagnano stated: “This acquisition underscores Federated Hermes’ strategic commitment to expanding its private markets platform and strengthening its position in real estate investment management. We’re proud to be advising Federated Hermes on this transaction with FCP and look forward to a successful closing and supporting their continued success in this dynamic space.”

“On behalf of Federated Hermes, we would like to thank K&L Gates for their expert advice, counseling and active support in the lead up to, and execution of, the definitive transaction agreement between Federated Hermes and FCP Fund Manager, LP. We look forward to continuing to work with K&L Gates towards a successful closing of the transaction,” said George Magera, Federated Hermes’ general counsel.

K&L Gates served as corporate counsel and fund counsel on this deal. The team was led by New York partners Ed Dartley and Adam Tejeda and included Charleston partner Andrew Lloyd, New York partners Jonathan Barron and Chris Carson, and New York associates Brigitte Shaw, Benjamin Augugliaro and Jamie Robinson.

“Advising Terramont on its acquisition of Bull Moose Capital, both as US deal counsel and fund counsel, underscores the strength of our platform,” said Dartley. “This transaction drew on our deep bench across private equity, cross-border M&A, and fund formation, and reflects our ability to deliver seamless support across disciplines. We’re pleased to continue partnering with Terramont as they execute on their investment strategy.”

“This strategic investment reflects our commitment to supporting essential infrastructure businesses that deliver sustainable and scalable solutions,” said Michael Lehman, Managing Partner of Terramont Infrastructure Partners. “With K&L Gates’ guidance, we’re excited to have successfully closed this transaction, and we look forward to working with Bull Moose to accelerate its growth and continue serving the midstream sector with reliability and impact.”

Based in New York and San Francisco, Terramont invests in best-in-class businesses alongside top-quality management teams. Investment sectors include renewable power, sustainable energy, transportation, digital, environmental, and other infrastructure businesses.

The London-based K&L Gates team was led by real estate special counsel Chris Swallow who was supported by private equity partner Julian Grant and construction senior associate Jim Alexander.

“We are pleased to have advised LBS Properties on their appointment as development manager,” Swallow said. “This transaction reflects both the increasing investor confidence in the Central London office investment market and LBS’s deep experience and track record in delivering strategic and sustainable high-quality developments. It was a privilege to work alongside the LBS team on this appointment and we look forward to seeing the development take shape over the coming months.”

Nick Crawford, CEO of LBS Properties, commented: “We are excited to be appointed as development manager for 105 Jermyn Street, and are delighted to work with Victory Group. This project aligns with our commitment to delivering high-quality, sustainable developments alongside our partners. Thanks to K&L Gates for their valued advice.”

The practices in which the firm’s Paris office received first-tier rankings are:

• Arbitration and Mediation 
• Insurance Law 
• International Arbitration - National
• Privacy and Data Security Law 
• Real Estate Law

The inaugural Best Law Firms™ - France rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process that includes the collection of client and professional reference assessments, peer review from leading lawyers, industry leader interviews and review of additional firm highlights provided by law firms as part of the formal research cycle. In the 2026 edition, 748 firms earned recognition across multiple practice areas and jurisdictions. In France, this analysis spanned 50 areas of law and 14 jurisdictions, producing 3,177 regional rankings.

A complete list of K&L Gates’ 2026 rankings can be found on Best Law Firms.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit upheld a 2023 decision by the US International Trade Commission (ITC), which had found Brita’s US Patent No. 8,167,141 invalid due to insufficient written description and enablement. The court held that the patent failed to explain how to achieve the claimed filtration properties or support the use of filtration materials beyond carbon block filters, effectively ending Brita’s efforts to block LifeStraw’s product imports.

This precedential ruling by the Federal Circuit confirms the invalidity of Brita’s asserted patent and allows manufacturers of gravity-fed water filters to continue to import their products into the United States. Although an administrative law judge initially sided with Brita, the full Commission reversed that decision, citing inadequate disclosure in the patent. The Federal Circuit’s affirmation not only clears the way for LifeStraw and other companies to continue importing their products but also influences how similar patent claims may be evaluated in the future.

K&L Gates partners Jeffrey Gargano and Michael Murphy represented LifeStraw in this matter.

Gargano commented: “We are obviously pleased that the Federal Circuit confirmed the Commission’s decision that Brita’s patent was invalid. We believe the Federal Circuit’s opinion is well reasoned and fully supported by the facts in this case.”

Heather Pratt, General Counsel of LifeStraw said, “This outcome affirms our commitment to developing products that make a difference and to protecting innovation that drives our business.”

K&L Gates’ IP practice boasts more than 215 lawyers and professionals – including more than 100 registered patent lawyers, agents, and technology specialists with technical or advanced science degrees, 35 with doctorates – who devote their practices to helping clients establish, enforce, and leverage their intellectual property rights worldwide. The practice filed more than 5,540 patent applications and 4,400 trademarks worldwide in 2024. 

The BTI Litigation Outlook 2026 report is an independent and unbiased analysis based exclusively on surveys with over 350 leading legal decision makers at large organizations, each with USD$1 billion or more in revenue. BTI designs its annual outreach to target top legal decision makers in high-spending industries, as well as thought leaders and innovative corporate counsel, ensuring a comprehensive and relevant perspective on litigation trends.

This recognition follows a series of honors from BTI Consulting Group in 2025, including recognizing K&L Gates to its Client Service A-Team for delivering exceptional client service, naming the firm an “Innovation Icon” for its forward-thinking client solutions, and listing the firm among the most recommended law firms in the BTI Most Recommended Law Firms 2025 report.

K&L Gates is recognized consistently for providing clients with the most sophisticated solutions to legal challenges around the world. For more information on the firm’s awards and recognitions, please visit: klgates.com/accolades. 

Commercial and certain selling shareholders of Commercial sold 7,173,092 shares of common stock in the IPO at an initial public offering price of US$24.00 per share, resulting in gross proceeds from the IPO of more than US$172 million. Commercial’s common stock now trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol “CBK.”

The Corporate deal team was led by Nashville partners Adam Smith and David Bartz, with support from San Francisco partners Ali Nardali and Rikki Sapolich-Krol, Raleigh partner Leann Walsh, and Nashville associates Lauren Ammons, Mary Blomquist, Justin Kleckner, Brad Kilborn, Alexandra Lynn, and Hutton Baker.

Smith stated: “It was a privilege to partner with Commercial on one of the largest bank IPOs in Tennessee history. Our team of Financial Services professionals worked seamlessly across offices and practice disciplines to support Commercial on what will be a transformative transaction for the company. We admire the Commercial team and look forward to what the future holds for Commercial as a public company.”

K&L Gates’ Corporate practice is one of the most substantial in the legal industry, with hundreds of lawyers in offices on five continents, providing clients with practical legal solutions in the structuring, financing, and completion of domestic, international, and cross-border transactions.

Published annually, the guide recognises the top lawyers and law firms with rankings based on thousands of in-depth interviews conducted with lawyers and clients to assess the reputations and experience of lawyers around the world.

K&L Gates, as a firm, was recognised in the following categories:
 
UK-Wide

• Asset Finance: Aviation Finance
• Capital Markets: AIM
• Transport: Rail: Projects & Infrastructure

 London (Firms)

• Construction: Contentious
• Construction: Non-contentious
• Corporate/M&A: £10-100 million
• Real Estate: £50-150 million

 K&L Gates individuals recognised include:

• Arthur Artinian - Intellectual Property - London (Firms)
• James Green - Capital Markets: AIM - UK-Wide
• Daniel Greenaway - Investment Funds: Private Equity: Venture Capital - UK-Wide
• Kevin Greene - Construction: Non-contentious - London (Firms)
• Ben Holland - Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes - UK-Wide; International Arbitration - UK-Wide
• Andrew Massey - Financial Services: Non-contentious Regulatory - UK-Wide
• Dylan Moses - Corporate Crime and Investigations - London (Firms); Financial Crime: Individuals - London (Firms); Health & Safety - UK-Wide
• Pete O’Hare - Asset Finance: Aviation Finance - UK-wide
• Matthew Smith - Construction: Contentious - London (Firms)
• Paul Tetlow - Capital Markets: AIM - UK-Wide; Corporate/M&A: £100-800 million - London (Firms)
• Sarah Turpin - Insurance: Mainly Policyholders - UK-Wide
• Matthew Walker - Construction: International Arbitration - UK-Wide

To view the firm's full rankings, visit the Chambers UK 2026 guide.

The firm has been named a finalist in the Innovation in Training & Development category for empowering the next generation of AI-literate lawyers. In addition, Director of Practice Innovation Carolyn Austin has been shortlisted in the Legal Intrapreneurs category for her work embedding innovation firmwide.

To learn more about K&L Gates’ Artificial Intelligence services, please click here. 

The transaction marks MUFG’s first collaboration with VinFast and reflects a strategic commitment to supporting sustainable growth in the EV sector. The loan also marks the beginning of their long-term relationship to advance green transformation goals and unlock future development in the rapidly growing EV industry. The facility’s proceeds will be used to bolster VinFast’s expansion in key markets across Asia, as well as for continued innovation in electric mobility.

Takao Nozaki, MUFG Managing Director, Regional Head of Vietnam, stated: “Our partnership with VinFast aligns with MUFG's strategic priorities in promoting net-zero cooperation, supporting the green transition and the growth of clean energy solutions globally. We look forward to seeing VinFast's continued success and are proud to be part of their journey towards a sustainable future.”

The K&L Gates team was led by Singapore partner Duc Nguyen with support from legal executive Dat Le.

Nguyen stated: “We are proud to have advised MUFG on this landmark green loan facility, which supports VinFast’s bold vision for electrification and global growth. The transaction reflects a strong commitment from both parties to driving the green transition in Vietnam and beyond. It was a privilege to support MUFG in structuring a facility aligned with global green loan principles, and we look forward to the positive environmental and commercial impact this partnership will deliver.”

The transaction highlights K&L Gates’ deep experience in cross-border finance, sustainable lending, and the rapidly evolving clean energy and mobility sectors in Asia.

K&L Gates’ global Finance practice integrates the many disciplines involved in financing and restructuring transactions across markets and industries around the globe. With lawyers in offices across Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America, the practice maintains a balance between buy-side and sell-side representation in its work on behalf of lenders, borrowers, servicers, collateral managers, trustees, rating agencies, investors, and other participants in a wide array of financing transactions. 

* All Singapore lawyers are members of K&L Gates Straits Law LLC, the Singapore office of global law firm K&L Gates.

The modern battery-powered trains, supplied by Siemens Mobility and called BEMUs, are the latest generation of rolling stock and will be deployed on routes in the Northern Westphalia network starting in December 2029. With the completion of this project, NWL will have Germany’s second largest fleet of battery-powered trains, marking a big step towards modernizing regional train travel and making it more environmentally friendly.

Rock Rail Holdings Limited is a UK-based independent developer, owner, asset manager, and lessor of rolling stock and other rail infrastructure, founded in 2014. Since 2016, the company has acquired over £3 billion of rail assets. 

K&L Gates regularly advises Rock Rail Holdings Limited on the acquisition and financing of rolling stock for regional passenger transport in Germany. This includes advising Rock Rail and Infracapital on rail projects in January and May 2024, which involved operating lease arrangements and financing for multiple Lots of the MDSB 2025+ electric trains, as well as on a September 2025 transaction concerning operating lease agreements for battery-electric passenger trains. 

The German team advising Rock Rail Holdings Limited was jointly led by partners Dr. Frank Thomas (Banking & Asset Finance, Frankfurt) and Dr. Annette Mutschler-Siebert (Procurement Law, Berlin), with support from partner Christoph Mank (Corporate, Berlin), counsels Anne Thümmel-Barz and Marion Baumann, and associates Patrick Glück and Maxim Horvath.