Akin Gump today announced that David H. Sweeney has joined the firm as a partner in its energy practice in Houston. Mr. Sweeney, who advises clients on a broad range of U.S. domestic and international oil and gas, coal, and other natural resource, infrastructure and finance transactions, comes to Akin Gump from K&L Gates, where he was a partner.

Mr. Sweeney’s oil and gas work spans the full natural resource value chain, from exploration and production to processing, infrastructure and monetization. He has acted for clients in both in-house and outside counsel capacities. During the past 11 years, he has advised on energy-related M&A deals with an aggregate transaction value of more than $60 billion. He regularly represents capital providers, lenders, companies and management teams in connection with structuring and negotiating equity and debt transactions.

“David’s background and experience will be critical as we continue to see robust M&A activity in the oil and gas sector,” said Akin Gump chairperson Kim Koopersmith. “He is a very strong addition to a practice that is already among the top in the industry, and I know his skills and advice will be valued by our clients. I am very happy to welcome him to Akin Gump.”

Mr. Sweeney has played a key role advising on U.S. and international operational matters and projects, spanning more than 30 countries worldwide, including joint and unit operating agreements; joint development agreements; farmouts, farmins and other joint ventures and participation arrangements; and gathering, transportation, processing, production handling and similar midstream and downstream agreements.

“David is a smart, savvy oil and gas lawyer who is very highly regarded throughout the industry,” said Christine LaFollette, partner in charge of Akin Gump’s Houston office. “As someone with an extensive background both in private practice and as in-house counsel, including as a former landman, he knows how to negotiate the most complex deals, and his experience will be invaluable. I couldn’t be more excited to have David on our team.”

“Akin Gump has long been recognized for its strong global energy platform, so joining this team represents an incredible opportunity for my clients and me,” said Mr. Sweeney. “The firm has a reputation for handling some of the largest and most complex energy transactions, particularly within the oil and gas sector, and I am delighted to be here.”

About David H. Sweeney

Mr. Sweeney began his legal career at another large, international law firm. He subsequently served as vice president, legal and general counsel of Van Dyke Energy Company and assistant general counsel and chief compliance officer of a U.S. subsidiary of LUKOIL. He returned to private practice in 2014.

A frequent author and speaker on oil and gas topics, Mr. Sweeney has written Oil and Gas Joint Operating Agreements: A Comparative World-wide Analysis, a comprehensive book on worldwide oil and gas operating agreements, as well as another on worldwide farmout, participation and similar agreements. He currently sits on the Executive Committee of the Institute for Energy Law, which provides educational and professional opportunities for lawyers and other professionals in the energy industry. He is also chair of the organization’s Training Module Task Force and vice chair of its Academic Outreach Committee. In addition, he is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and is the immediate past co-chair of its Young Negotiators global leadership board.

Mr. Sweeney received his J.D., with honors, from the University of Texas School of Law and his B.A., cum laude, from Yale University, where he was a member of the 1999 Ivy League Championship football team.

About Akin Gump’s Oil and Gas Practice

Akin Gump’s oil and gas practice has been at the forefront of representing domestic and international oil and gas leaders in their transactions for more than 65 years. Through its integrated transactional, regulatory, policy and dispute resolution practices, the firm is able to provide top legal counsel globally to lenders; investment banks; private equity funds; underwriters; issuers; independent producers; major multinational and state-owned oil companies; national governments; energy service companies; processing, operations, transportation and pipeline companies; and refining and petrochemical companies. Akin Gump’s experience with the oil and gas industry spans the value chain from exploration and production activity through pipelines, LNG, refining and petrochemicals, with particular experience at the intersection of finance and commodities.

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