DALLAS - Continuing its Texas expansion, O’Melveny announced today that renowned energy dealmaker Monica Hwang has joined the firm as a partner, based in the firm’s new Dallas and Austin offices, a press release states.
Ranked by Chambers and by Legal 500, Hwang will be a member of both O’Melveny’s Project Development & Real Estate Practice Group and the Energy Industry Group.
Hwang, who joins O’Melveny from another Am Law 100 firm, brings more than 14 years of experience advising developers and energy companies on infrastructure projects and commercial transactions. One of the nation’s leading authorities on liquefied natural gas (LNG), crude oil, and liquefied petroleum gas exports, Hwang has advised on many of the largest “mega-LNG” ventures, including Freeport LNG's US$14 billion export terminal, Total’s US$20 billion Mozambique LNG project, and the US$29.7 billion Wheatstone LNG plant in Australia.
Hwang also counsels clients on midstream and downstream projects and commercial matters, including gas storage, pipelines, and terminals, and helps clients on customized joint venture arrangements and commercial transactions in support of new ventures and mergers and acquisitions.
“As the world continues to demand cleaner, more efficient forms of energy, Monica brings a rare practice strength that will immediately benefit our clients,” said O’Melveny Chair Bradley J. Butwin. “She will join with our colleagues in Austin and Dallas—and with energy-focused lawyers across the firm—to guide clients on innovative LNG projects, other complex energy transactions, and cutting-edge initiatives, including carbon sequestration and green hydrogen. We’re thrilled to have her aboard.”
Hwang has been nationally recognized as a top “Energy Transactions: Oil & Gas” lawyer by Legal 500 and by IFLR 1000. And Chambers Global named her an Up and Coming lawyer in its Global rankings for Projects: LNG.
“Monica is a sophisticated, experienced advisor who strengthens our energy capabilities and furthers our Texas growth strategy,” added Eric A.S. Richards, Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Corporate Department. “Our recent additions of nationally recognized energy partners in Texas expanded our core capabilities in midstream and downstream project development across conventional power, petrochemicals, gas-to-liquids, renewable energy, new energy transition technologies, and related infrastructure. Monica gives us important LNG project development experience, and our renewable energy, infrastructure, and expanded conventional energy practices will all benefit from her expertise.”
“Monica brings vital experience in areas that are strategic imperatives for many of our energy-sector clients and a large number of our private investor and venture-capital clients,” added C. Brophy Christensen, Co-Chair of O’Melveny’s Corporate Department. “She will enhance our ability to help clients capitalize on long-term emerging geographic, technological, and policy trends across the entire energy industry.”
Hwang also fits perfectly with O’Melveny’s dedication to public service. A longtime volunteer for Habitat for Humanity International, she has made numerous trips overseas to build homes as part of the organization’s Global Village program. Hwang also serves on the Steering Committee of the Women’s Initiative of her local United Way, which helps students in Greater Houston succeed in school and families in gaining financial stability.
Hwang earned a B.A. in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center.
O’Melveny opened in Texas in June, establishing offices in Austin and Dallas. In August, nationally-ranked litigator Timothy Durst joined the Dallas office, which also includes partners Louis Strubeck Jr., Scott Paul Drake, Douglas Wabner, and Gregory Wilkes. O’Melveny’s Austin office is led by four Chambers-ranked lawyers: partners Phillip Oldham, Katie Coleman, and Benjamin Hallmark, and senior counsel Rex VanMiddlesworth.