ATMAN SHUKLA’s practice focuses on mergers and acquisitions and investment transactions (including joint ventures) for clients in the energy and infrastructure space, including upstream, oilfield services, midstream and downstream (including power, refining and trading). Atman’s practice also includes aviation matters, particularly in the regional airline space and, more recently, in the sustainable aviation space.
Atman has recently co-led the following transactions:
- Representing Enbridge, Inc. in its transaction with Encap Flatrock Midstream to acquire Moda Midstream Operating, LLC for US$3 billion in cash
- Representing JERA Americas Inc. in the US$2.5 billion purchase of a 25.7% equity ownership interest from Global Infrastructure Partners in Freeport LNG Development, L.P.
- Representing I Squared Capital in a transaction in which affiliates of Blackstone and I Squared Capital are merging EagleClaw Midstream into Altus Midstream, a public company subsidiary of Apache Corp.
- Representing NuStar Energy L.P., one of the largest independent liquids terminal and pipeline operators in the nation, in the sale of eight storage terminal locations to Sunoco LP for US$250 million.
He has also recently co-led the following sustainable aviation transactions:
- Representing United Airlines in an agreement to work with Archer Aviation, an air mobility company, whose electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is designed to use electric motors and have the potential for future use as an “air taxi” in urban markets
- Representing United Airlines in its commercial agreement to work with Denver-based aerospace company Boom Supersonic on an aircraft purchase, as well as a cooperative sustainability initiative
- Representing United Airlines Ventures in its investment in electric aircraft startup Heart Aerospace along with Breakthrough Energy Ventures and Mesa Airlines
- Represented American Airlines in its investment in Vertical Aerospace, a leading UK-headquartered engineering and aeronautical business developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, in which American has agreed to pre-order, subject to certain future agreed upon milestones and other terms, up to 250 aircraft, representing a potential pre-order commitment of US$1 billion, and an option to order an additional 100 aircraft.
Atman’s corporate practice also includes experience with capital markets transactions (both private and public, and both debt and equity), as well as corporate governance matters. Atman has also advised start-ups and emerging ventures through Sidley’s Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program.
Recently, Atman was noted as part of Sidley’s Aviation and Airlines team named the winner of Financial Times' 2021 “Innovation in Sustainability and ESG” award for its work in helping aviation and airlines industry clients reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Atman also served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable Jeff Bohm of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Southern District of Texas (July 2008–August 2008).