Rendering of the Orlando International Airport Terminal C, above

ORLANDO, Fla. — Since the 2018 merger between Broad and Cassel and Nelson Mullins, group leaders have dramatically expanded a once-regional infrastructure practice to a national scale.  Led by Robert Alfert on infrastructure delivery and Joe Stanton on capital projects finance, the group now has projects throughout the U.S., including New York, Texas and California, in addition to its traditional Southeast core. This year alone, the group has been heavily involved in over $12 billion in major infrastructure and construction project transactions, including the iconic Orlando International Airport Terminal C, which opened in September. 

Alfert notes that "2022 has been a banner year for the group, continuing to capitalize on what has really been a multi-year bull market run in the infrastructure sector, notwithstanding the very significant challenges with inflation, shipping and labor irregularities, increasing project finance rates, and still the lingering malaise from COVID." He remains confident that this momentum will carry deeply into 2023 despite the concerns over inflation, "as the Biden Infrastructure Law injects hundreds of billions of dollars into necessary transportation infrastructure and into emerging technologies and needs, such as green energy, fiber, and housing." The high demand for affordable housing, especially in the multi-family sector, will continue to excel, he said.  

On the capital project finance side, Stanton comments, "In this increasing rate and cost environment, financing a capital project is more challenging. Project sponsors are looking to partner with federal, state, and local governments to assist with funding. In addition, as the gap between taxable and tax-exempt rates increases, the ability to finance a project on a tax-exempt basis can be a significant factor in the financial viability of a project."   

The group has also capitalized on foreign investment and economic incentive development in the U.S., teaming with international business attorney Woojin Shin based in the firm’s D.C. office. Among other major projects, the teams have worked from start to finish on a groundbreaking, $2.8 billion electric vehicle battery plant for one of the largest corporations in Asia. Says Shin, "Robert and his team members are perfect advisors for my cross-border clients. They know how to deliver their subject matter experience to clients who are sophisticated but from a very different business culture."

The group integrates with the firm’s Construction Group, led by Mike Wilson, Tom Hayman, and Robert Alfert. Construction Executive magazine in 2022 ranked the Construction Group a Top 50 (No. 26) national construction practice (https://www.constructionexec.com/pages/2022-top-50-construction-law-firms).  

The highlights of 2022 include "start to finish" involvement on: 

Aviation, Ports, and Space  

• Close-out of the iconic, $3 billion new international terminal for Orlando International Airport (OIA) 
• Master-planning the 40-year development of a regional airport with public-private development  
• Over $1 billion in space and aviation infrastructure at Space Florida 
• Approximately $500 million in new expansion and upgrade projects at OIA, including a $200 million APM System 
• Restructuring infrastructure contracts and procurement documents for a top 10 U.S. airport 
• Approximately $70 million interim financing of major port facility improvements 

Highways, Bridges, and Transit 

• Approximately $500 million design-build bridge project for a state DOT 
• Autonomous Vehicle System and infrastructure project for Jacksonville Transportation Authority 
• Approximately $150 million design-build highway and bridge project for a regional expressway authority 
• Development of a P3 plan and delivery for surplus land held by a regional expressway authority 
• Serving as a DRB member for a multibillion-dollar rail project on a public-private partnership delivery methodology  
• $770 million intercity rail project for a private rail operator 
• Approximately $550 million in revenue bond financings for a regional expressway authority 

Industrial Development 

• Approximately $2.8 billion electric vehicle battery plant project on an economic development delivery 
• Multiple “high-velocity” and "last-mile" industrial warehouse centers involving major retailers, including Amazon 
• Approximately $150 million in services and sales centers in New York for a major U.S. auto manufacturer 
• Advisory to U.S. auto manufacturer on Integrated Project Delivery for manufacturing plant projects 
• Approximately $500 million in financings for regional healthcare facilities 

Power and Utilities 

• Approximately $160 million new wastewater treatment plant and conveyance facilities 
• Close-out of three major solar farm projects valued at over $100 million 
• Approximately $150 million in financings for a multi-jurisdictional government utility  
• Approximately $70 million in financings for solid waste disposal facilities 

Housing and Mixed-Use 

• Approximately $500 million luxury marina, condo, villas, and hotel compound 
• Over 10 multifamily deals cumulatively valued at over $500 million 
• Mixed-Use development in Virginia and Tennessee totaling approximately $200 million

Core Team professionals include:

• Robert Alfert 
• Joe Stanton 
• Lacey Corona 
• Jake Carroll 
• Karen Ryan 
• Woojin Shin  
• Katie Bartoo 
• Kate Stangle 
• Jo Thacker 
• Mike Wilson 
• Jeremy Springhart 
• Tom Hayman 

Established in 1897, Nelson Mullins is an Am Law 100 firm with more than 930 attorneys and government relations professionals with 31 offices in 15 states and Washington, D.C. For more information on the firm, go to www.nelsonmullins.com.