Kirkland & Ellis Adds Energy Infrastructure Partner

Kirkland & Ellis has significantly enhanced its energy and infrastructure capabilities with the addition of Christopher Peponis as a partner. This strategic move brings nearly two decades of specialized experience in the energy sector, encompassing both in-house operational roles and extensive private practice. Peponis arrives with a team of eight legal professionals, focusing on the intricate world of project development and finance within the energy and infrastructure arenas.

Peponis's unique background, blending legal acumen with a foundation in chemical engineering, positions him as a key asset. His career trajectory began at Shell, where he gained hands-on experience as a process engineer and commodity trader across multiple continents before moving into in-house legal counsel. This diverse experience, particularly his deep understanding of LNG liquefaction and regasification projects—spanning greenfield, brownfield, and floating facilities—allows him to navigate complex transactions with a holistic perspective.

The energy transition and decarbonization initiatives are central to Peponis's expertise. He has a proven track record advising sponsors and developers on critical aspects of gas and renewable energy projects. His contributions have not gone unnoticed, with consistent recognition from Chambers USA as a leading lawyer in Projects: LNG and a designation as a Project Finance Rising Star by Law360 in 2023. Prior to joining Kirkland & Ellis, Peponis was a partner at Latham & Watkins.

This appointment underscores Kirkland & Ellis's commitment to its integrated real assets platform, designed to address the growing synergy between real estate and infrastructure investments throughout their lifecycle. The firm highlighted that Peponis's arrival aligns with a period of robust investment in the energy and infrastructure sectors, fueled by technological advancements and evolving global regulatory environments. The global energy infrastructure market is projected to see substantial growth, with significant capital deployment expected in renewables and LNG over the next decade.

“Chris is a preeminent lawyer in the energy and infrastructure domain, bringing profound expertise in global LNG and other sophisticated energy projects,” stated Jon A. Ballis, Chairman of Kirkland & Ellis’s Executive Committee. “His addition further fortifies our leading energy practice, which is experiencing heightened demand due to technological shifts, changing regulatory landscapes, and sustained infrastructure investment.”

Peponis expressed his enthusiasm for the move, noting, “Kirkland’s industry-leading energy and infrastructure platform, coupled with its highly collaborative and integrated real assets team, presented an ideal alignment for my project development practice. I am eager to join a group that combines extensive technical and commercial insight to facilitate the execution of increasingly complex, large-scale projects for our clients.”