LNG Lawyer Joins Baker & McKenzie (USA)

Natalie Regoli has joined Baker & McKenzie’s North America Banking, Finance and Major Projects Practice as a partner in Houston, further boosting the Firm’s oil and gas capabilities. Regoli has extensive experience advising on the entire lifecycle of liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, having recently served as the lead lawyer managing a $15 billion LNG facility in Angola, the largest in sub-Saharan African history.

“The emergence of shale gas in North America in recent years has caused a significant shift in the global energy market and spawned considerable investments in LNG export facilities in the U.S.” said David Hackett, Chair of the Firm’s North America Banking, Finance & Major Projects Practice. ”Natalie has very unique experience in the U.S. and global LNG area, including serving as one of the lead lawyers on the Angola LNG project for the last five years. Her insight and knowledge of these complex projects will be of great value to both our domestic and international energy clients.”

Regoli joins the Firm from Angola LNG Marketing Ltd., which is part of the Angola LNG Project group of companies. As an in-house lawyer, Regoli was responsible for legal matters pertaining to the Angola LNG facility. She also has substantial experience in the negotiation and drafting of engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts and with sale and purchase agreements (SPAs).

”We are continuing to see significant interest from our clients in the LNG area,” said Rick Hammett, Managing Partner of the Firm’s Houston Office. ”I know our energy clients will appreciate the perspective Natalie brings to these projects and we are delighted that she is joining our growing Houston office.”

Regoli joins an active and highly regarded Energy, Mining and Infrastructure Practice. The Firm received the American Lawyer’s 2013 Global Finance Deal of the Year award in the Project Finance (Asia) category for its role advising on the Ichthys LNG Project in Australia. In addition, the Practice recently released two high-profile reports examining Africa’s clean energy sector and the challenges and opportunities facing the world’s key mining destinations.

“Natalie adds not only depth to our global LNG practice but also breadth to the strong upstream oil and gas practice we already have in Houston,” said Michael Byrd, Chair of the North America Oil & Gas Practice. “We are thrilled to welcome her to our team.”

“Baker & McKenzie’s well-regarded energy practice, combined with its unmatched global network, provided me with a great platform to return to private practice.” said Regoli. “I’m very pleased to be joining the Firm and look forward to working with my colleagues around the world.”

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LNG World News Staff, September 13, 2013; Image: Baker & McKenzie