SRZ is hosting “Distressed Investment Opportunities in Oil and Gas,” a seminar being held today in New York. A panel of industry experts will discuss current issues facing hedge and private equity funds seeking investment opportunities in the energy sector. The event is by invitation only.
The seminar features SRZ M&A partner Robert Goldstein and business reorganization partner David J. Karp. The guest speakers are Timothy D. Fording, managing director of Cerberus Capital Management LP (“Cerberus”); and Lance Gilliland, managing director of Tudor, Pickering, Holt & Co., LLC (“TPH & Co.”).
Discussion topics will include: upstream and midstream mergers and acquisitions; exploration and production companies’ financing challenges; and the impact of bankruptcy and counterparty risk on royalty investments.
“With the dramatic decline in the price of oil, many companies active in the U.S. energy sector are confronting intense financial pressure as a result of lost revenue and substantial leverage. At today’s seminar, the speakers will discuss the specific opportunities for investors eyeing distressed situations,” commented Stuart D. Freedman, SRZ M&A partner and co-chair of the firm’s Business Transactions Group, who regularly represents U.S. and offshore money managers in the energy space.
“During today’s discussion, the experts will examine the drivers behind the deal activity in the oil and gas sector as well as the issues distressed investors may face,” added Adam C. Harris, chair of SRZ’s Business Reorganization Group and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, whose practice focuses on the representation of investment funds and financial institutions in distressed situations.
SRZ advises alternative asset managers in connection with the oil and gas, coal, and chemical and electric industries. The firm’s oil and gas experience extends to each link of the value chain. SRZ’s leading lawyers have advised on upstream transactions covering exploration and production; midstream transactions dealing with gathering, storage, transportation and processing; and downstream transactions that involve refining, marketing, petrochemicals trading and derivatives, transportation and shipping.
“For many years, our lawyers have advised on opportunities and deals emerging in the energy market. We are pleased to share our expertise at today’s event,” commented Alan S. Waldenberg, chair of the firm’s Executive Committee and chair of the Tax Group, who represents clients in mergers and acquisitions, restructurings and workouts, with a particular emphasis on matters involving investment funds.
About the Guest Speakers
Timothy D. Fording is a managing director of Cerberus. He has spent over 17 years with Cerberus and its affiliates focusing on direct lending to middle market companies. Mr. Fording has served in a number of different capacities including origination, underwriting and portfolio management. Prior to joining Cerberus, he was with Creditanstalt in Greenwich, Conn. and Congress Financial Corp. in New York and Chicago.
Lance Gilliland is a managing director of TPH & Co. He is responsible for the firm’s merger and acquisition activity, with particular focus on public company transactions, board and special committee advisory engagements, cross border and joint venture transactions. He also manages the infrastructure sector team. Previously, Mr. Gilliland was with Goldman Sachs in Houston, New York and Menlo Park, Calif.