Infrastructure Group Once Again Named Practice Group of the Year by Law360

Nossaman's Infrastructure Practice Group was once again profiled in Law360 as a result of being named a "Transportation Practice Group of the Year" for 2017 - the Group was previously named a "Practice Group of the Year" in 2016 and 2015. The article (paid subscription required) highlights the Group’s efforts over the last year working with public agencies on projects ranging from a "$1.8 billion upgrade to Denver's airport to a $900 million Texas highway segment, both of which hit major milestones over the summer [of 2017]."

The article also notes the Group’s deep bench of 30-plus infrastructure attorneys that work exclusively with public agencies, guiding them through large-scale projects, a majority of which have a transportation bent.  Patrick Harder, Chair of the Infrastructure Practice Group, commented in the article that about 75 percent of the practice's work is in the transportation sector…that tends to be where the big projects are, [and] the willingness to try some innovative procurement techniques really comes out of the transportation sector. 

In addition to the Denver and Texas projects, Law360 highlighted the $5 billion Los Angeles World Airports Landside Access Modernization Program at LAX, which will include a consolidated rent-a-car center and a 2.5-mile-long automated rail system.

Commenting on the airport project, Nancy Smith, a co-founder of the Infrastructure Practice Group, noted that the project should have significant impacts to mobility in California [and] should really make it a much more pleasant experience to come in and out of the airport."  Ms. Smith also expressed particular pride in the practice group's inclusion of women, who make up over one in three group attorneys and who have played a key role in the projects it tackles. 

To close the article, Mr. Harder reflected on the satisfaction working with the public sector can bring.  We can see the product of our work kind of manifest later on, when we drive on a road that we helped…make happen, when we drive through a tunnel, on a bridge, ride on a train, go to an airport," he said.  "All of these things that people use and that are important to industry and to the success of our country."