Biography
Matthew Penny is a partner in the energy practice based in Jackson Walker’s Houston office where he focuses on energy-related and infrastructure construction and energy transactional law. With a deep understanding of developing, and managing contractors on, mega projects, Matthew guides his clients through strategic decisions involving contracting methodologies, alternative remuneration models, supply chain optimization and project financing. His long tenure as in-house counsel to both a global contractor (KBR, Inc.) and a supermajor energy company (Shell Energy plc) affords Matthew insight into both owners’ and contractors’ commercial drivers and processes – insight that he now uses to effectively and efficiently counsel and represent his clients’ interests.
Matthew has an exceptional record of strategizing on, drafting, and negotiating complex construction or procurement agreements for energy-sector, infrastructure, and manufacturing projects. Beyond the construction contracts themselves, his work necessarily includes associated corporate, commercial, project development, project management, and project financing documents. He brings to his practice more than 15 years’ experience representing both contractors and owners and working with all varieties of construction and project development-related agreements, including EPC, EPCM, FEED, Engineering Services, and procurement contracts, both on bespoke and global standardized contracts like FIDIC, BIMCO, and LOGIC. Matthew’s practice has covered the full lifecycle of project development from initial engineering and commercial agreements to project management and operational documents, including master service agreements and strategic partnership agreements.
In addition to transactional work, Matthew’s practice is strengthened by his background in construction litigation and contractor management. He provides clients with strategic and tactical guidance on contract management challenges, helping them anticipate, avoid, and mitigate potential disputes during contract preparation and project execution.
Education
B.A., Emory University
J.D., The University of Texas at Austin
Bar Admissions
Texas
California