Polsinelli is pleased to announce that the firm has expanded its global project finance capabilities with Robert (Bob) L. Nelson Jr. Joining the firm as a principal in the San Francisco office, Nelson is considered one of the foremost energy and infrastructure attorneys in the world and has led on some of the world’s most significant transactions for landmark projects in this highly active and rapidly expanding practice area.

With a distinguished career spanning several decades, Nelson has been instrumental in the development and financing of more than 150 energy and infrastructure projects, including numerous high-profile initiatives that have received global attention. He advises clients, including project sponsors and strategic/private equity investors), on project construction, development, finance, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions and private equity in sectors including power, oil and gas/LNG, infrastructure and mining.

“Bob’s superior track record and experience in project finance are key additions to our nationwide team advising energy and real estate clients,” said Kraig Kohring, Polsinelli’s Real Estate & Financial Services Department Chair. “Project finance has been a strategic growth area for us, and we are looking forward to further strengthening our bench as we respond to the increasing opportunities for our clients in this space. With the national focus on the need for energy supplies critical to technological developments, including artificial intelligence and data centers, we are seeing a continuing surge in these projects and are well positioned to support clients in their growing needs for Bob’s level of leadership and experience in this area, including his extensive data center-related experience.”

 “Polsinelli’s substantial national growth in recent years reflects both the strong and future-directed leadership that the firm has enjoyed as well as the team-oriented approach that is baked into the DNA of its lawyers and practice groups,” said Nelson. “These qualities position the firm perfectly to enable its clients to meet the challenges and realize the substantial opportunities that are available to them, now and in decades to come. The firm’s wide array of experience and skills, deployed throughout an extensive national platform, provide us with the tools that we need to provide state-of-the-art guidance and impeccable execution in the financing, development and construction of large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. I look forward to the tremendous accomplishments for our clients that we can achieve together.”

Nelson’s extensive experience in guiding the financing, development and construction of power projects encompasses renewable, gas-fired/combined cycle and nuclear energy. He has worked on more than 100 power facilities involving a wide variety of technologies, including gas-fired, biofuels/biogas, biomass, cogeneration, energy storage, geothermal, hydro, nuclear, solar and wind facilities worldwide, including representing developers and lenders in solar projects across the globe. His nuclear experience spans large-scale reactors to small modular reactors (SMRs) and his infrastructure work includes data centers, transportation, water/wastewater, mining and sports and entertainment facilities, often involving public-private partnerships.

In addition to his experience in energy development financing, Nelson has guided clients through more than $50 billion in energy-related asset and corporate acquisitions. He is also a trusted advisor in complex cross-border disputes, having served as counsel or arbitrator in numerous domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings before major arbitral institutions, including construction, project agreement, infrastructure/real estate fund management, political risk insurance and investment treaty arbitration matters, including the successful resolution of arbitrations for clients where over $10 billion was at stake.

He is an appointed member of the Council on Foreign Relations and previously served on the board of directors and finance committee of the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum (USISPF), as well as the joint U.S.-Indian task force on trade and investment matters. He also previously served two terms as chairman of the International Bar Association’s Project Finance Subcommittee. He has been recognized by numerous prestigious publications as one of the world’s leading lawyers in project finance and energy/infrastructure.

Nelson earned his J.D. from Columbia Law School, his M.P.A. from Princeton University and his A.B., magna cum laude, from Harvard University.