In a strategic move to bolster its U.S. project development and finance practice, Latham & Watkins has hired five partners from Baker Botts, Sidley Austin, and Orrick, amid intensifying competition for energy and infrastructure work. The standout addition is Jason Bennett, who previously headed Baker Botts’ global projects group after a 28-year tenure at the firm.
Joining Latham in Houston are Bennett and former Baker Botts partner Matt Fusina, while Thomas Holmberg will be based in Washington DC. Completing the recruitment are Jessica Adkins from Sidley Austin and Charles Armbrust from Orrick, bringing the total to five new partners.
Bolstering Energy and Infrastructure Expertise
These appointments reflect the growing demand for legal services driven by increased investment in LNG, power generation, AI data centers, and other critical infrastructure. For Latham, the focus extends beyond traditional energy deals, as complex projects now require lawyers skilled in financing, regulatory compliance, joint ventures, and detailed commercial agreements.
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This recruitment highlights a recurring theme in BigLaw: as investment surges in a sector, competition for lawyers with key client relationships intensifies. Latham’s latest move adds another seasoned energy team to the increasingly competitive race for infrastructure mandates.
Enhancing a Global Leadership Position
According to Latham’s media release, the five partners bring top-tier project development and finance expertise across LNG, power, renewables, data centers, oil and gas, and other vital energy and infrastructure sectors. Their arrival expands Latham’s capabilities at a time when sophisticated advice is in high demand across the entire lifecycle of energy and infrastructure projects.
Rich Trobman, Chair and Managing Partner of Latham & Watkins, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Jason, Matt, Tom, Jessica, and Chase to Latham. They are proven leaders and highly accomplished practitioners in the energy and infrastructure sector, and their decision to join Latham is further evidence that we continue to be the destination of choice for the market’s top talent.”
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Meeting Evolving Sector Demands
Justin T. Stolte, Global Chair of Latham’s Energy & Infrastructure Group, commented, “Whether in AI infrastructure, LNG, power, or other critical energy and infrastructure investments, our clients increasingly need advisors who can support every facet of their projects. The arrival of this group was a strategic opportunity to strengthen our ability to meet that demand, expanding the depth and breadth of our market-leading projects practice in energy and infrastructure.”
The addition of these five partners significantly enhances Latham’s energy and infrastructure capabilities in Texas, complementing the firm’s existing global platform. Nick Dhesi, Managing Partner of Latham’s Houston office, noted, “Their arrival marks a significant expansion of our energy and infrastructure capabilities in Texas.”
The partners bring diverse backgrounds: Bennett earned his JD from Georgetown University Law Center and his BA from The University of Texas, while Fusina holds a JD from the University of Virginia School of Law and a BA from the University of Virginia.
