Allen & Overy continues US expansion with appointment of project finance partner

Allen & Overy announced the appointment of Robert D. Kartheiser, Jr. to the partnership and the New York office. This latest development marks the further expansion of the firm's New York office and its US law capability, particularly in the area of international project finance.

Kartheiser joins Allen & Overy's Project Finance Group in New York from his previous position as Senior Vice President of Development at international independent power producer, Sithe Energies, Inc. in New York. He founded and led Sithe's Latin America development team on electricity generation and distribution acquisitions, and greenfield development efforts across Latin America. His transactions have also included energy restructurings and divestitures in markets that range from Colorado to Tunisia. At Sithe his team developed and financed "deal of the year" generation facilities in Mexico with a capital cost of over $700 million. Before joining Sithe, Kartheiser was a partner at Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy where he worked on power, transport and oil and gas financings and investments from the firm's New York, London and Moscow offices.

Commenting on the expansion of the firm's project finance capability, New York Project Finance partner David Slade said, "The need for infrastructure, oil and gas and power generation projects in particular markets remains strong, including in areas of Latin America. Bob brings to the table 17 years of sophisticated legal and commercial experience in cross-border development, financing and acquisitions of infrastructure. He understands the legal and economic drivers of a deal, and is very adept at operating in the cross-border transaction context. His addition fortifies the services that Allen & Overy delivers to developers, equity investors and lenders active in Latin America and elsewhere."

New York Managing partner Mark Welling adds, "The arrival of Bob Kartheiser is an exciting addition to both our Project Finance and Latin America practices as he brings a wealth of expertise in both areas. We are very pleased to be expanding our business in Latin America through participation in projects in power, transport and energy sectors throughout the region, and Bob will further propel this growth."