Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP is pleased to announce that partner Jeffrey R. Escobar has joined the firm’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance industry team in New York. He was most recently a partner at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP.
Escobar’s move to Sheppard Mullin follows partner Michael Malfettone, who joined the firm’s Energy team in New York last month. In the last 12 months, the firm has also added Energy partners Julie Marion, Jennifer Brough, Bruce Grabow and Thomas DeSplinter.
Escobar advises lenders, sponsors, investors, project companies, independent power producers and developers, public and private utility companies, private equity funds, private credit, joint ventures, institutional owners and closely held horizontal and vertical project owners and developers across the United States and throughout the Americas. He advises clients on debt, private credit and tax equity project and construction financing, structured financing, M&A, development and sale-leaseback of complex and large-scale utility grade renewable (solar, onshore and offshore wind), liquefied natural gas, geothermal and alternative energy (including green hydrogen, blue hydrogen, biofuel and emerging energy) projects, as well as battery energy storage, data center, large infrastructure, transportation and private-public development projects.
“Adding Michael Malfettone and now Jeff underscores our strategic focus to continuing to grow our Energy team with attorneys who have a deep understanding of this evolving industry,” said Luca Salvi, chair of Sheppard Mullin. “His expertise in project finance and infrastructure will add value to our firm and clients, enabling us to continue attracting work of the highest caliber.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to our Energy team,” said Tony Toranto, co-leader of the Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance industry team. “Jeff complements our energy practice with his extensive experience in project, infrastructure and construction finance.”
“I am excited to join Sheppard Mullin and am thankful for the opportunity to be reunited and continue collaborating with Michael and the rest of the firm’s talented energy lawyers,” said Escobar. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to contribute to the firm’s continued growth and to provide exceptional service to our clients.”
Escobar is an active member of several professional organizations, including as the chair of the New York City Bar Association Construction Law Committee, the American Bar Association Forum on Construction Industry Committee, Asian American Bar Association of New York and the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund Foundation. He also was previously appointed as a member of the New York City Community Board 8 Manhattan and served as a director of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation in New York.
Escobar received his B.A., Phi Beta Kappa, from the University of Washington and his J.D., with honors, from the New England School of Law.
About Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance Industry Team
Sheppard Mullin’s Energy, Infrastructure and Project Finance team, which includes more than 125 attorneys nationwide, is frequently ranked as one of the leading renewable energy and regulatory practices in the U.S. by Chambers USA, Legal 500 and among the Best Law Firms for Energy Law by Best Lawyers. The team was named a finalist for American Lawyer’s Energy Practice Group of the Year in 2024 and awarded Proximo’s 2024 North America Solar Deal of the Year for its work representing Greenbacker Renewable Energy in securing nearly $1 billion in financing for the Cider Solar project. The team is comprised of highly specialized attorneys with the requisite electrical power, oil and natural gas, renewables and biofuels experience to understand our clients’ objectives. Our collaborative and client-focused approach sets us apart from other law firms and is the reason the largest and most innovative energy industry players – including leading utilities, pipeline operators, municipalities, independent power producers, commercial banks, equity and tax investors, EPC contractors, and energy technology companies – come to us for assistance on their most important energy-related legal matters.