Reed Smith announced today that seasoned dealmaker Matthew Lea has joined the firm’s global Energy & Natural Resources Group as a partner resident in the Houston office.
Related Professionals: Matthew D. Lea Prajakt Samant
“We are thrilled to add Matt to our energy transactions offering in Houston,” said Energy & Natural Resources chair Prajakt Samant in London. “His exceptional work for lenders and borrowers will help us meet high industry demand for reserve-based debt transactions. Additionally, his representation of hedge counterparties and upstream oil and gas companies in connection with structuring energy derivative transactions and the development of oil and gas assets will complement our robust commodities and energy transactions practice areas.”
Over the past 16 years, Lea has built a reputation as a go-to lawyer for conventional and mezzanine energy financings and related secured transactions including revolving and term credit facilities. Lea also focuses on alternative forms of debt transactions, for which he has handled a full range of financings, such as production payments (whether volumetric or dollar- denominated) and prepaid swap agreements.
Lea also advises on energy commodity and hedging transactions, including secured hedging and structured commodity deals. He also regularly negotiates, drafts and assists in-house counsel with intercreditor agreements, hedging arrangements (including ISDA Master Agreements and NAESBs), netting agreements, guarantees, and trade confirmations. In addition, he provides counsel to clients regarding Dodd-Frank compliance issues related to swaps, including the ISDA Dodd-Frank Protocols.
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