Foley & Lardner LLP announced today that Charles E. Schwenck has joined the firm as a partner in the Los Angeles office, working with the Energy Practice Group and Energy Industry Team, as well as the Transactional & Securities and Finance & Financial Institutions Practices. Previously, Schwenck was a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig, LLP where he served as co-chair of the Energy and Natural Resources Practice.
Schwenck brings more than 30 years of experience with energy, infrastructure and other commercial and industrial projects, both domestically and internationally. He has extensive experience structuring, drafting and negotiating arrangements for the development, construction, financing, fuel and feedstock supply, product sales, ownership and operation of such projects. In addition, Schwenck regularly represents developers of energy and water projects before federal and state regulatory agencies, companies involved in mergers and acquisitions in the energy industry, and lenders engaged in the acquisition of portfolios of energy loans and leases.
“Charlie’s arrival to Foley greatly enhances the firm’s capabilities in serving the energy industry,” said George W. Ash, chair of Foley’s Regulated Industries Department. “His deep knowledge of all aspects of energy-related matters, from start to finish, will be an immediate asset to our clients.”
Schwenck has represented developers and other industry participants in major energy and infrastructure projects in over 35 countries on six continents, with a constructed value in excess of $90 billion. His project finance work spans a variety of industries, including engineering and construction, traditional and alternative energy, mining, water supply and treatment, chemicals, transportation, and telecommunications. Schwenck has also testified on behalf of engineering, construction and electric power industries before various Congressional committees and state legislative bodies.
“Charlie has an impressive track record of success representing various stakeholders in energy and infrastructure projects, both in the United States and throughout the world,” said Steven Barth, co-chair of Foley’s Transactional & Securities Practice. “As we continue to help clients navigate the various financial and regulatory issues that arise in energy-related projects, Charlie’s wide-ranging experience will be instrumental in further strengthening our transactional capabilities.”
In addition to his experience in the traditional oil, gas and electricity industries, Schwenck possesses considerable experience in the alternative energy industry. His experience includes representations in connection with the production of electricity from various alternative energy sources; the production of ethanol, biodiesel and other synthetic fuels from various feedstocks; and the separation, sequestration and transportation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases and the utilization of the same for enhanced oil recovery and other industrial processes. Schwenck also represents companies engaged in the development of sustainable technologies for the energy, water, transportation and mining industries.
“Charlie is an exceptional attorney and his work across the full spectrum of energy and infrastructure transactions will greatly benefit our clients in California and across the globe,” said Richard W. Lasater II, managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. “We are pleased to welcome him to our team and look forward to the many contributions his wide-ranging experience will bring to our clients.”
Earlier in his career, Schwenck served as senior vice president, general counsel and a member of the board of directors of LG&E Power Systems. He also served as general counsel at Fluor Corporation and as division counsel for the Bechtel Group’s Power Division. Schwenck is a member of the Federal Energy Bar Association, American Bar Association, Green Task Force of the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, American Counsel on Renewable Energy and the advisory board for Cleantech Group, LLC.
