Andrews & Kurth Adds Two New Energy Partners

HOUSTON -- Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. announced today that Mark J. Thurber and Dahl C. Thompson have joined the firm`s internationally recognized energy project development and project finance practice as partners in the Houston office. With a combined 24 years of experience working with energy clients, Thurber and Thompson further enhance the firm`s presence internationally, having worked on energy development and infrastructure projects on five continents.

Andrews & Kurth most recently was recognized by Petroleum Economist`s Annual Energy Finance Awards as one of the top energy law firms in the world. "The addition of Mark and Dahl adds high caliber depth to our already strong energy project development and project finance practices. We had been competing for business from common clients with Mark and Dahl for some time, and in this case, it made sense from a strategic perspective to combine forces," said David Runnels, business transactions partner and management committee member.

"We saw that Andrews & Kurth, with its depth and breadth of energy practice experience, is one of the select few firms that is uniquely positioned to take advantage of Houston`s emergence as the energy capital," said Thurber and Thompson.

Thurber`s practice focuses on representing developers and equity investors, as well as fuel transportation, construction and management providers, in connection with a broad range of domestic and international cross-border energy and infrastructure projects.

Thompson has represented lenders and project companies in connection with a wide variety of transactions pertaining to international infrastructure projects including structuring, financing and sell-down of energy development companies and partnerships.

The firm`s energy project development and project finance group has a track record of helping its clients successfully develop, finance, restructure, purchase and sell worldwide energy and other infrastructure projects. Having represented all types of energy industry participants - from developers and institutional investors to underwriters and unregulated utility subsidiaries - A&K`s energy group has extensive experience with projects such as electric generating facilities, gas gathering systems, industrial plants, pipelines, storage facilities and other infrastructure projects.

Andrews & Kurth L.L.P. was founded in Houston in 1902 and today has 235 lawyers in offices in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, London, New York, The Woodlands and Washington D.C. The firm`s practice areas include bankruptcy, business transactions, energy, environmental, corporate and securities, labor and employment, litigation, public law, project finance, real estate, structured finance, technology and tax law for U.S. and international clients.

Additional Information:

Both Thurber and Thompson were previously in the Houston office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. Thurber received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, his M.B.A. and undergraduate degree from Brigham Young University. Thompson received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law and his undergraduate from Utah State University.