Skadden is pleased to welcome Sarah Ridel back to the firm as a partner in the Energy and Infrastructure Projects Group in its Houston office. Ms. Ridel most recently served as assistant vice president and assistant general counsel at Pattern Energy Group, a leading developer and operator of wind, solar, transmission and energy storage projects. She has more than a decade of experience advising on complex development and finance matters, including build-transfer transactions, power purchase agreements, construction financings, back-leverage financings, tax equity bridge loans and private placements.
Ms. Ridel has extensive transmission experience, having worked on several of the most notable transmission and transmission-related projects in the United States. Most recently, Ms. Ridel played a leading role in Pattern Energy’s $11 billion financing of its 550-mile SunZia Transmission Line from central New Mexico to south central Arizona and related generation projects, alongside a team from Skadden. Ms. Ridel’s deep experience at the intersection of energy development and transactional law, combined with her familiarity with Skadden’s platform, positions her to provide immediate value to clients navigating the evolving energy landscape.
Noelle Reed, head of the Houston office, stated: “Sarah’s addition to our Houston team reflects our deliberate investment in the Houston market and in key practice areas where we see opportunity for our clients. Having served in senior in-house roles within the energy sector, Sarah brings a distinctive perspective that enables her to anticipate and address the challenges our clients face — an invaluable tool as we continue to grow our presence in this region.”
“Sarah’s return reflects our commitment to strengthening our energy and infrastructure practice in Houston and beyond,” said Aryan Moniri, global head of Skadden’s Energy and Infrastructure Projects Group. “Sarah’s first-hand and practical experience in project development and finance will be invaluable as we help our clients navigate the energy transition and growth and seize opportunities in one of the most dynamic sectors of the economy.”
“We are excited to welcome Sarah back to the firm,” said Eric Otness, head of the M&A/Corporate Group in Skadden’s Houston office. “Her arrival is a tremendous asset to our team and strengthens our ability to deliver best-in-class counsel to sponsors, lenders and investors across the full spectrum of the energy market.”
“I’m thrilled to return to Skadden, where I began my legal career, and continue working with colleagues who have helped shape the country’s energy landscape,” Ms. Ridel said. “With unprecedented load growth, emerging technologies and renewed interest in transmission development, this is one of the most dynamic periods the energy sector has seen in a generation. The firm’s depth across transmission, solar, wind, energy storage and other generation types — combined with its track record of closing groundbreaking infrastructure transactions — makes it the ideal platform to help clients seize the opportunities ahead.”
Skadden continues to expand its presence in Houston, having more than doubled the number of partners in the office since 2024. The firm recently welcomed M&A partners Emery Choi, Steve Gill and Mingda Zhao, along with complex litigation and trials partner Michelle Scheffler. These additions further position the firm to deliver a full spectrum of legal services as companies navigate increasingly complex transactional, litigation and regulatory matters.
Ms. Ridel earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her undergraduate degree from The University of Texas at Austin.