David E. Kronenberg joined Blank Rome as an energy finance partner in the firm’s finance, restructuring and bankruptcy practice group and as a member of the firm’s cross-practice energy industry team.

Kronenberg will be based in Blanke Rome’s offices in Washington, D.C., and Cincinnati and focus his practice on the intersection of energy hedging, financing and bankruptcy law, representing energy companies, financial institutions, hedge funds and private equity firms.

Kronenberg previously worked for Sidley Austin, serving as counsel in the firm’s energy group.

“We are delighted to welcome David to our firm’s leading finance practice, which recently added partners Cassandra K. Mott and Sarah H. Frazier in our Houston office, further enhancing the group’s ongoing strategic national growth,” Grant S. Palmer, managing partner and CEO of Blank Rome, said. “His extensive experience in the energy sector will significantly strengthen our bench of experienced attorneys in the finance and restructuring markets, ensuring that our clients receive optimal results.”

Kronenberg provides energy clients, including commodity hedge providers, pipeline operators, oil and gas producers, retail energy providers, power plant operators and renewable energy providers, with a range of legal services, including the structuring and negotiation of physical and financial commodities transactions, the structuring and analysis of secured energy transactions and the use and/or trading of renewable energy credits, carbon allowances and offsets. He also has a background in distressed energy M&A, helping energy companies buy and sell businesses. Additionally, Kronenberg provides his energy clients with counsel on bankruptcy-related issues, including the enforcement of energy contracts and other creditor rights issues in Chapter 11 proceedings and related litigation and the application of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code’s safe harbors to energy derivatives and other contracts. In 2021, Kronenberg assisted companies with bankruptcy matters and restructurings following the tragic Winter Storm Uri.

“David’s significant experience working in major energy corridors on the East Coast and in the Midwest will provide our clients with valuable counsel as well as the benefit of strong relationships built over many years of operating in these markets. Additionally, his experience with carbon markets and renewable energy credits will further expand our service capabilities and reach,” Lawrence F. Flick II, vice chairman of Blank Rome and chair of the firm’s financial services industry group, said. “We are thrilled to welcome David to the group, as his financial capability and notably deep background in the energy sector will expand our growing practice.”

“Blank Rome has outstanding finance, energy and bankruptcy practices and I am looking forward to working with my new colleagues across the country to serve clients from the Blank Rome platform. It is exciting to join a firm that has active practices and track records of success in every legal discipline and geographic area in which my practice is focused,” Kronenberg said. “Plus, I will be reunited with some former colleagues of mine, including partners Brendan Delany, Jason Eig and Ryan Craig, with whom I look forward to working alongside once again at Blank Rome.”

Kronenberg is also active in pro bono efforts, working on immigration and asylum cases. One of his more significant pro bono matters was representing various former appellate judges as amicus curiae in the U.S. Supreme Court case, Williams v. Pennsylvania. He also assisted President Barack Obama’s Clemency Initiative.