King & Spalding recruits one of Asia's leading energy lawyers

King & Spalding has recruited Richard Nelson, one of Asia's leading energy lawyers, as a partner in its Singapore office. Nelson will join King & Spalding from Herbert Smith Freehills in Singapore, where he is a partner and head of that firm's energy practice in Southeast Asia.

His start date at King & Spalding is still to be confirmed.Ken Culotta, Houston-based head of King & Spalding's global transactions practice group, said:

"Our firm's strategy calls for further investment in our energy practice, where we are already a leader in Asia and around the world. Richard has built an outstanding practice in all of the major energy markets in Southeast Asia, and as the region's leading energy M&A lawyer he perfectly complements our top-tier project development and finance capabilities. We are especially excited about the expertise Richard will offer our U.S.-based energy clients investing in Asia."

Nelson's deal list extends to mergers and acquisitions and development projects in the oil and gas, LNG and power sectors in countries such as Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand. His broad client base includes oil majors and independents, national oil companies, host governments and project sponsors and developers. He has worked in Asia for over 10 years, including stints in Hong Kong and Tokyo, and was seconded to BP in London. He is ranked by Chambers in band 1 for energy and natural resources for Singapore and for the Asia-Pacific region. King & Spalding is ranked by Chambers in band 1 for energy and natural resources in Singapore, as are its partners Merrick White and Dan Rogers.

John Savage, managing partner of King & Spalding's Singapore office, said:

"Richard's a great catch. He's been on our radar for a long time. He has a superb reputation in the market, and clients we have in common recommended him highly to us."

Nelson will be the fifth energy transactions partner in King & Spalding's Singapore office. The office also counts four partners in its top-ranked international arbitration practice, which focuses on high-stakes energy and infrastructure disputes. King & Spalding's Singapore office serves as a hub for the firm's work in energy, project finance and international arbitration throughout the Asia-Pacific region.