Oil and Gas Lawyer Karl V. Hopkins and Team Join SNR Denton

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February 15, 2012 // Franchising.com // WASHINGTON, DC - SNR Denton announced today that Karl V. Hopkins has joined the firm as a partner, Shon C. Ramey has joined as counsel and Sinan Pismisoglu has joined as a Foreign Legal Specialist. The group continues the growth of SNR Denton’s Corporate practice and are members of its award-winning 350-member Energy, Transport and Infrastructure sector team. All three will be resident in SNR Denton’s Washington, DC office. The group joins the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf in Houston.

"Karl offers a sophisticated global practice at the intersection of energy and global security. His oil and gas and infrastructure project deals practice, together with related international arbitration matters, built on the foundation of his key Middle East relationships, makes him an exceptional strategic fit for SNR Denton," said Joe Andrew, SNR Denton’s Global Chairman.

Hopkins’ practice concentrates on the development, construction, start-up and operation of large international energy projects. Hopkins has represented a number of prominent companies including: national oil companies (NOCs), independent oil and gas producers, refining companies, pipeline companies and oilfield service companies.

He has represented clients on energy-related matters in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Turkey, Syria, Brazil, Columbia, Venezuela, Russia, China, Singapore, Vietnam, Australia, Philippines and Canada. Hopkins has experience in managing matters relating to large asset-based transactions, including the sale of oil and gas interests, the development of oil and gas production facilities, both onshore and offshore, pipelines, refineries, terminals, LNG liquification and regas facilities and related infrastructure projects.

SNR Denton has had a constant presence in the Middle East for more than 40 years. The firm has 10 offices in nine jurisdictions, with more than 170 lawyers and legal staff resident in the region.

Hopkins is a trusted advisor in connection with development strategies with respect to major NOCs and regularly counsels clients on infrastructure, petrochemical and oil and gas development in the Middle East. He heads the NOC committee for the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators and will work closely with SNR Denton Washington, DC-based energy partner Jonathan Cahn, who recently joined the firm from Baker & McKenzie, and Dallas-based Stephen Molina to represent Chinese oil companies and NOCs globally. In addition, Hopkins has represented clients in various arbitration tribunals, including the AAA, ICDR, LCIA, ICC and UNCITRAL. He has represented international oil companies, host country oil and gas producers, petroleum refiners, pipeline companies, oilfield service companies and energy investment companies.

Ramey’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions, dispositions, joint ventures and financings. He represents various multinational and stand-alone, midmarket companies, primarily in the energy and energy-related sectors, in accomplishing strategic initiatives primarily through the acquisition and disposition of businesses, divisions or subsidiaries. As a former general counsel of publicly traded, venture capital portfolio and private companies, Ramey brings significant experience and a pragmatic approach to representing his corporate clients. Ramey’s most recent assignment prior to moving to SNR Denton was in Abu Dhabi, UAE where among other engagements he was the senior foreign counsel representing a sovereign wealth fund in the privatization of their national air carrier.

Pismisoglu’s practice focuses on the representation of public and private entities in international litigation, project finance, privatization, construction, real estate development and management. He has also participated in major power project finance performed in Turkey, and performed due diligence for IFC and EBRD with respect to their investments in Turkey. Pismisoglu represented clients in energy-related matters in Turkey, Brazil, Kuwait, France, Poland, Pakistan and Kazakhstan.

"SNR Denton’s strong presence in the Middle East, Africa and the firm’s expanding presence in Texas, make this move for me and my clients an easy decision," said Hopkins. "Shon, Sinan and I look forward to once again joining forces with familiar and new colleagues to combine perspectives and client services relating to the Middle East and China."

About SNR Denton

SNR Denton is a client-focused international legal practice delivering quality and value. We serve clients in key business and financial centers from more than 60 locations worldwide, through offices, associate firms and special alliances across the US, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Russia and the CIS, Asia Pacific and Africa, making us a top 25 legal services provider by lawyers and professionals Joining the complementary top tier practices of its founding firms— Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal LLP and Denton Wilde Sapte LLP—SNR Denton offers business, government and institutional clients premier service and a disciplined focus to meet evolving needs in eight key industry sectors: Energy, Transport and Infrastructure; Financial Institutions and Funds; Government; Health and Life Sciences; Insurance; Manufacturing; Real Estate, Retail and Hotels; and Technology, Media and Telecommunications. Please see snrdenton.com for more information and Legal Notices.

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