Ms Katy Gottsponer > Vinson & Elkins LLP > Washington DC, United States > Lawyer Profile
Vinson & Elkins LLP Offices
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Ms Katy Gottsponer
+1 202 639 6633	kgottsponer@velaw.com
Work Department
Energy Transactions
Katy's practice involves energy infrastructure investment, project development and project finance transactions. Katy represents investors, sponsors and lenders in complex domestic and international energy infrastructure projects. Katy has extensive experience in structuring transactions and negotiating project development and finance agreements for major projects with a focus on midstream natural gas, including gas storage, gas processing and gas gathering and transportation facilities, and power transmission and generation projects.
Adjunct Professor: Georgetown University Law Center, Project Development and Finance
Katy graduated from Georgetown University, B.A. in English in 2000, and Tulane University Law School, J.D. cum laude in 2003. Admitted to the Texas Bar in 2003. Admitted to the District of Columbia Bar in 2010.
United States > Finance > Project finance
Vinson & Elkins LLP is highly regarded for its expertise in handling finance mandates relating to energy and infrastructure projects. Kaam Sahely, who jointly heads the energy, transactions and projects department with John Connally, is advising Woodside Petroleum on its potential participation, as co-sponsor with Sempra, in the $10bn Port Arthur LNG project; he is also advising Gulf Coast Ammonia on the $800m development and project financing of a hydrogen-based ammonia production facility in Texas. Maritza Okata and Karen Smith in New York advised Tyr Energy, alongside Trina Chandler and Washington DC-based Katy Gottsponer, on the financing and development of the Hickory Run Energy Center, a natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. Smith also advised Babson Capital Management on the $34.5m purchase of secured promissory notes issued by nine subsidiaries of Cypress Creek Renewables for the permanent financing of each issuer's utility-scale tilt solar array project in North Carolina. Mark Spradling, Mark Brasher and Keith Fullenweider are also recommended, as are New York-based David Wicklund and John Grand in Dallas. Senior associate Simone King in New York is also a key figure, as is Eamon Nolan who joined in 2019 from Linklaters LLP. Named individuals are based in Houston unless stated otherwise. Former department co-head James Cuclis joined White & Case LLP in 2018.
United States > Industry focus > Energy: transactions: conventional power
Vinson & Elkins LLP is instructed by electric generation and transmission companies, distribution utilities, independent power producers, financial institutions, clean energy companies, power traders, and private equity and venture capital investors in M&A, investment transactions and project development and finance matters. According to one client, Houston-based practice head Trina Chandler is 'one of the best M&A lawyers in the industry'. Also recommended is Dallas-based Chris Rowley, who advised Oncor Electric Delivery Company on a $400m transaction with Sharyland Utilities to exchange Sharyland's retail distribution operations for a set of Oncor's transmission lines in West and Central Texas. Other key contacts include Katy Gottsponer in the Washington DC office, Maritza Okata in New York, and Houston-based Kaam Sahely, who is noted for his 'deep industry knowledge and experience'.
Vinson & Elkins LLP combines 'high quality work with consistent availability', underpinned by 'a pleasant demeanor'. The team, which is praised by clients for its 'commitment to success', is led by Ferguson McNiel and Kaam Sahely, both based in Houston. The team is experienced in complex infrastructure projects and is representing Texas Central Partners as project counsel in the multibillion-dollar development of a high-speed rail project between Dallas and Houston. Mark Brasher and Sahely led, supported by a team across the firm's Dallas, New York and Houston offices, including 'fantastic' associate Stephanie Coco, who is based in Houston and is 'developing a great practice with respect to complex construction documentation'. Brasher also acted as project counsel to LNG21, which is developing a $2.4bn LNG platform in the Gulf of Mexico; the team advised LNG21 on joint venture agreements and equity negotiations. Alongside the Washington DC-based John Decker, Brasher also advised New Fortress Energy on various LNG projects. Katy Gottsponer, who is based in Washington DC, and senior associate Luke Edney in Houston supported on this matter. Edney, alongside Brasher and Coco, supported Sahely on Gulf Coast Ammonia, a joint venture that is developing and financing a hydrogen-ammonia production facility in Texas. Also active on this matter was Houston-based senior associate Alan Alexander, who is praised by one client as 'one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with' and offers 'partner counsel for an associate rate'. Houston-based James Loftis, who, alongside the London office, handled a series of arbitrations for the Panama Canal Authority relating to the ongoing expansion project, is also noted; McNeil supported on this matter.
Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas
Industry focus > Energy regulation: oil and gas
Industry focus > Energy: transactions: oil and gas
Capital markets: debt
Capital markets: equity offerings
Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings
Civil litigation/class actions: defense
Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional
Energy: renewable/alternative power
Energy: transactions: conventional power
Environment: transactional
M&A litigation: defense
Private equity buyouts
Venture capital and emerging companies