“We are thrilled to add Matt to our energy transactions offering in Houston,” said Energy & Natural Resources chair Prajakt Samant in London. “His exceptional work for lenders and borrowers will help us meet high industry demand for reserve-based debt transactions. Additionally, his representation of hedge counterparties and upstream oil and gas companies in connection with structuring energy derivative transactions and the development of oil and gas assets will complement our robust commodities and energy transactions practice areas.”
Over the past 16 years, Lea has built a reputation as a go-to lawyer for conventional and mezzanine energy financings and related secured transactions including revolving and term credit facilities. Lea also focuses on alternative forms of debt transactions, for which he has handled a full range of financings, such as production payments (whether volumetric or dollar- denominated) and prepaid swap agreements.
Lea also advises on energy commodity and hedging transactions, including secured hedging and structured commodity deals. He also regularly negotiates, drafts and assists in-house counsel with intercreditor agreements, hedging arrangements (including ISDA Master Agreements and NAESBs), netting agreements, guarantees, and trade confirmations. In addition, he provides counsel to clients regarding Dodd-Frank compliance issues related to swaps, including the ISDA Dodd-Frank Protocols.
Lea’s experience with energy-related transactions also includes acquisitions, divestitures and joint ventures, and the preparation and negotiation of participation agreements, operating agreements, farmout agreements and other asset-level agreements.
“I am very pleased to join my new colleagues in Houston, and the global energy and commodities industry group, who are well versed in the type of work I do,” said Lea. “Reed Smith’s reputation for excellence in the energy sector and well-respected cross-border perspective is just the ticket to help my clients grow.”
In addition to his work in energy, Lea’s practice spans multiple industries in connection with a broad range of secured and unsecured commercial finance transactions, such as syndicated and asset-based financings, bilateral loans and workouts, and restructuring transactions, such as debtor-in-possession and exit credit facilities.
Lea obtained his B.A. from Vanderbilt University before receiving his J.D. from the South Texas College of Law, where he served as editor-in-chief of the South Texas Law Review.
Lea’s arrival marks the second lateral partner to join Reed Smith’s Energy & Natural Resources industry group this week, having earlier welcomed environmental, health and safety (EHS) partner Peter Trimarchi in New York.
About Reed Smith
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