In addition to "expertise in energy and commodity enforcement defense, regulatory work and compliance issues," the "team also possesses extensive expertise in structured finance and M&A matters, and has expert knowledge of energy derivatives" - Chambers USA

Cadwalader’s leading energy and commodities team has broad and deep experience in all forms of complex regulatory, compliance, transactional, investigations, and enforcement defense matters involving energy, metals, and agricultural commodities and related listed and over-the-counter derivatives. We provide counsel to leading U.S. and international financial institutions; investment funds; oil, power and natural gas companies, producers, and developers; industrial and commercial customers; trade associations; commodity marketers; exchanges and clearing organizations.

Regulation & Compliance: We have extensive experience representing clients in all types of regulatory matters, including those before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), multiple state public utility commissions (PUCs), as well as regional transmission organizations (RTOs) and independent system operators (ISOs).

Investigations: We regularly represent clients before the CFTC, FERC, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), congressional committees, and in investigations performed by foreign regulators. We also advise on compliance and enforcement issues before NERC, and certain state PUCs.

Transactions: Our team has wide-ranging and extensive experience in all forms of complex transactional matters involving the energy, agriculture, metals and derivatives sectors and advises clients in mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, securities, private equity, structured transactions, all forms of debt finance, as well as restructuring should the need arise.

Renewables: We have more than two decades of experience in the renewable and alternative power project development and finance, emissions control and trading, energy efficiency and demand response, and the energy trading industries, giving our team an unparalleled understanding of the transformative impact of energy and climate change on international business.

With attorneys located in New York, Washington, DC, London and Houston, we offer clients practical insights into the evolving regulatory, business, and legal issues affecting the global energy and commodities markets. Many of the leading lawyers who comprise the team were previously affiliated with the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and commodity trading businesses. They are also long-time members of leading industry organizations, such as the American Bar Association’s Derivatives and Futures Law Committee, the Energy Bar Association, the Futures Industry Association Law and Compliance Division, SIFMA, and ISDA, giving them unique insight into, and knowledge of, this increasingly competitive and regulated industry.

We believe that our continued strength lies in ensuring that we attract, retain, and nurture the very best talent from all backgrounds, and we expect the future complexion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP will, with each passing year, more closely reflect the global community that we serve. 

Cadwalader has worked diligently to promote an inclusive work environment and, over the years, has developed many initiatives to fit our unique goals and challenges on issues of diversity and inclusion.  With the creation of the Cadwalader Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI), a central resource for the firm’s diversity programs, initiatives and policies, we aim to improve upon our successes and follow through on our promise to weave diversity and inclusion principles into the fabric of our culture. 

The mission of the CCDI is to enhance gender, racial/ethnic, and LGBT diversity and inclusion within the firm to create an unrivalled environment that attracts, retains and promotes the best and brightest talent available to serve our clients. Governed by the Global Diversity Committee, chaired by Patrick T. Quinn, Managing Partner, the CCDI is a vehicle to support the work we currently perform, to reinforce our dedication to that work, to recognize outstanding effort and to communicate - to each other and to the clients we serve - our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Recent Programs & Events

The Cadwalader Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts programs and events throughout the year that are designed to increase cultural competence, celebrate history and heritage and educate attorneys on how to work effectively on diverse teams.

From Megan’s Law to Bernie Madoff: A Conversation with Judge Chin

- July 23, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group hosted a conversation with the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.  During the interactive conversation, Judge Chin discussed his experiences as a federal judge and his path to the bench. Attendees had the opportunity to network and speak with Judge Chin during the cocktail reception that followed.

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court

- June 9, 2015

The Cadwalader LGBT Network and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hosted a Pride Month event, The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court, featuring Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and Janson Wu, GLAD’s Executive Director. During the presentation Mary discussed her experience arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court for marriage equality and Janson discussed the future of the LGBT rights movement.

Justice Denied: Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio

- May 12, 2015

Members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, including Cadwalader attorneys and the Honorable Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit presented a case reenactment of Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, a landmark employment discrimination case. The presentation told the story of the Wards Cove workers through narration, reenactment of court proceedings, and historic photographs. To view the performance, click here.

The Partner Track

- May 5, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group and the Women’s Leadership Initiative co-hosted a panel discussion with Cadwalader Partners, Ingrid Bagby, Kathy Chin and Athena Eastwood, focusing on their career experiences and paths to partnership. The panel was moderated by Helen Wan, author of The Partner Track, a fictional story about a young Asian-American corporate associate up for partner at her New York law firm.

“From Selma to Ferguson to Today: Why Civil Rights Matter,” featuring Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School

- April 29, 2015

The Cadwalader Black and Latino Association hosted a conversation with Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.  The conversation was followed by a cocktail reception where attorneys had the opportunity to network  and speak with Professor Ogletree.

The Art of Building Business Relationships and Executive Presence

- March 25, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative and Diane Darling, Founder of the Darling Institute, hosted a workshop on building business relationships and executive presence.  This interactive presentation explored how professionals at all stages of their career can integrate networking and relationship-building into their everyday lives. 

WLI London Client Event: “Walking the Nile” by Levison Wood

– March 12, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative hosted a special evening at our London office with Levison Wood, explorer, writer, and photographer. Formerly an officer in the British Parachute Regiment, Wood has led pioneering journeys into undiscovered regions, travelling to more than 80 countries. His nine-month walk along the length of the Nile, from source to sea, is chronicled in a recent Channel 4 documentary. During the presentation Wood described the amazing people, breathtaking places and shocking sights he encountered on his ground-breaking expedition.