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Greenberg Traurig has hired renewable energy expert Jeffrey Chester from Morrison & Foerster to expand its energy and natural resources practice.

Chester, a project finance and renewable energy attorney in Los Angeles, joined Greenberg Traurig on July 1 as a shareholder and global head of the firm's energy project finance group. Before the move, he headed Morrison & Foerster's renewable energy efforts for more than a half-decade.

“Greenberg made me an offer I couldn't resist. It is really tied to the great platform they have,” Chester said, noting that he will continue to help the global firm expand its practice in the renewable energy sector.

Chester said he got more involved with renewable energy work in the early 1990s when his clients were increasingly investing in renewable energy projects. He's focused his practice on renewable energy for more than 20 years. Throughout his career, he has represented a wide range of clients on renewable energy finance transactions, including construction and term debt, tax equity and private equity capital financings. He has closed project financings for more than 100 wind and solar power projects throughout the United States and Mexico, according to Greenberg Traurig.

“Jeff's hiring demonstrates Greenberg Traurig's commitment to expanding its energy project finance and project development capabilities and its Energy Practice as a whole. He brings a tremendous wealth of experience and strong relationships, particularly in the renewable energy sector; and we are excited to welcome him,” said a joint statement from Kenneth M. Minesinger and William Garner, who co-chair the firm's energy and natural resources practice.

The energy and natural resources practice has also recently added attorney Thomas Brill as of counsel in the firm's Orange County office. Brill joined the firm from Sempra Energy, where he served as special counsel and director of regulatory and legislative policy at the San Diego-based energy infrastructure company. According to Greenberg Traurig's website, the firm has 44 full-time energy attorneys on the energy team and over 140 attorneys with energy law experience.

Morrison & Foerster did not respond to a request for comment on Chester's departure. The firm poached four Greenberg Traurig partners last month to establish a Latin America practice based out of Miami.

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