Linklaters appoints Ron I. Erlichman to head America's energy and infrastructure team

Linklaters appoints Ron I. Erlichman to head America's energy and infrastructure team

UK firm's New York office hired Ron I. Erlichman to head America's energy and infrastructure team

The hiring of a partner from Sidley Austin to lead Linklaters' regional energy and infrastructure projects unit is a clear indication of the firm's intent to increase its share of the energy transition market in the United States.

To manage America's team of two partners, a counsel, and six associates, Ron I. Erlichman has become a partner at the UK Magic Circle firm and head of energy and infrastructure in the Americas.

Chambers and Partners, a legal guide, has placed this firm's international practice group in the highest possible category for international projects and energy, thus they will be joining forces with that.

Linklaters, along with its three worldwide UK Magic Circle rivals-Allen & Overy (A&O), Clifford Chance, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer-are all focusing on expanding their presence in the United States, and Erlichman's hiring is the latest in a string of top US laterals secured by the firm.

He has spent 20 years at Bracewell in Texas and has since spent the past three years at Sidley Austin, where he advised lenders, sponsors, private investment funds, and developers on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, including renewable energy and carbon neutrality initiatives. He has now joined Linklaters.

"Linklaters has unequalled experience in that arena advising on challenging transition assets," he added, "and there was a distinct and excellent chance in the US market to collaborate with an exceptionally strong team."

For many reasons, the United States has lagged behind other developed countries in terms of embracing the energy transition. Some regions of the world have made greater strides in developing wind and hydrogen energy as well as other space components, and this has taught me the necessity of knowing the market as well as the asset and its potential dangers. The availability of such knowledge in the United States and around the world is unprecedented.

Erlichman said he expected to increase the size of his team, but he wouldn't say when. He additionally anticipated growth in the renewable energy sector in the USA.

Whoever is in charge in the United States won't be able to stop the market from changing. Several variables, such as interest rates and supply chain enhancements, will determine the upcoming year's performance. Over the past 15 years, it has become clear to me that progress continues regardless of the circumstances.