April 6, 2009 (New York, NY) - To better address the needs of clients in the burgeoning area of infrastructure, Proskauer Rose LLP has announced the formation of an interdisciplinary group of lawyers to address the public, private, financial and legal aspects of new projects around the world. The firm's Infrastructure Group brings together lawyers from its U.S., Latin America, European and Asian offices.

With extensive expertise in the planning, structuring, development, acquisition, financing, operation and disposition of infrastructure assets in the United States and around the world, Proskauer serves clients in the public and private sectors in asset class areas that include: airports; energy; hospitals; maritime and ports; metals and mining; oil and gas; prisons; roads and rail; stadiums and arenas; telecommunications; water, waste and sewage; and wind power.

According to James Gerkis, co-head of the new practice group, the policy goals of the Obama administration and an emphasis on infrastructure projects around the world served as the impetus for the firm to organize its related capabilities in one group.

"Infrastructure is a key stimulus for economic growth and a measure of global competitiveness. The creation of a formal group to house our existing expertise in this vital area will allow us to better serve our clients as they address the range of issues that arise in all aspects of these projects, from the development, financing and acquisition of projects to assisting private equity sponsors in raising infrastructure-target investment funds, to labor relations matters," he said.

Joshua Thompson, a fellow co-head of the practice group, concurs, emphasizing: "Public and private partnerships for infrastructure projects require integrated and customized legal solutions. Our team has a thorough understanding of risk allocation, tax structuring and transaction delivery in this sector. We engage with clients to engineer solutions for complex deals." 

While Proskauer lawyers regularly assist clients with infrastructure matters, what truly distinguishes the firm is its ability to handle the multitude of issues arising in the context of each engagement. The firm's Infrastructure Group platform encompasses practitioners from a range of relevant disciplines, including finance, mergers and acquisitions, investment funds, sports, health care, capital markets, labor, government relations, litigation, environmental, insurance coverage, lodging and gaming, real estate and tax.