Mark Sigrist

Associate

Practice Description

Representative Matters

• Representing the U.S. Department of Energy in connection with proposed guaranteed loans to (i) Georgia Power Company, Oglethorpe Power Corporation, and Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia for the financing of the 2,214 MW Vogtle nuclear power project in Georgia, and (ii) Calvert Cliffs 3 Nuclear Project, LLC for the financing of the 1600 MW Calvert Cliffs 3 Nuclear Power Project in Maryland, sponsored by UniStar Nuclear Energy, LLC.
•  Represented WestLB AG, New York Branch, as agent for the lender group, in connection with the bankruptcy and restructuring of three ethanol projects in the midwestern United States owned by VeraSun Energy Corporation, including related debtor-in-possession and bankruptcy-exit loan facilities, and the acquisition of two of the projects pursuant to a credit bid by the lenders in a Section 363 Bankruptcy sale.
• Represented the International Finance Corporation in connection with an equity investment of up to $110 million to support the modernization and expansion of HeidelbergCement AG's operations in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Represented the International Finance Corporation in a $95 million financing package for the construction and operation of a 120,361-square-meter warehouse and logistics center in Novosibirsk, Russia.
• Represented the lenders, including IFC, ADB, the Export-Import Bank of Korea, the Korean Export Insurance Corp., BNP Paribas, and a syndicate of Indian banks led by the State Bank of India, in connection with the $4.25 billion project financing of the 4000 MW Mundra coal-fired ultra mega power project in Gujarat, India, sponsored by Tata Power.  This transaction was named "Deal of Year-Asia Pacific" 2008 by Project Finance International.
• Represented WestLB AG, New York Branch, as agent for the lender group, in connection with a $100 million project financing for two existing ethanol plants, and the construction of one new ethanol plant, in South Dakota, and in connection with the restructuring of the debt facilities for this project.  
• Represented WestLB AG, New York Branch, in a $115 million project financing for the construction of an ethanol plant in Georgia.
• Represented the developer in connection with the Amman East Power Project, a 400 megawatt combined cycle power plant and the first Independent Power Project in Jordan.
• Represented Saudi Aramco in connection with the project financing of petroleum export refinery and petrochemical projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including at Yanbu, Jubail and Rabigh (named 2006 "Middle East Project Finance Deal of the Year” by International Financial Law Review). 
• Represented the government of the United Arab Emirates in connection with the $1.72 billion privatization and project financing of the Fujairah independent power and water project.
• Represented IFC, the Bank of Nova Scotia, DEG and COFACE as senior lenders in connection with a debt rescheduling for the approximately US$200 million project financing of the Caucedo deep water port facility project in the Dominican Republic.
• Represented BNP Paribas in a $500 million warehouse facility loan for the financing of commercial aircraft for Aviation Capital Group. 
• Represented Cendant Corporation in the spin-off of its Budget truck rental business to a new dedicated subsidiary. 
• Represented the consultant to the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities in connection with antitrust-related proceedings arising from the proposed merger of Exelon and PSE&G. 
• Represented New York-based Godlight Theatre Company in a pro bono matter regarding incorporation under the New York not-for-profit corporation law and obtaining 501(c)(3) tax exempt status.

Activities and Affiliations

During law school, Mr. Sigrist was the President of the J.B. Moore Society of International Law, a Volunteer Coordinator for the International Rescue Committee of Charlottesville, and served as a summer intern with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Damascus, Syria. During 1997-2001, Mr. Sigrist served as Country Director In Syria for AMIDEAST.  AMIDEAST is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation between Americans and the peoples of the Middle East and North Africa.

He is currently a member of the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Publications