Norton Rose Fulbright recently announced the addition of Patrick Harder, a public-private partnership and infrastructure attorney, to co-head the firm’s U.S. and North America infrastructure groups. This strategic hire aims to enhance the growth of the infrastructure practice in North America and globally.
Patrick Harder brings with him over 20 years of experience from Nossaman LLP, where he was a prominent figure in the U.S. P3 space. During his time at Nossaman, Harder served as the partner and chair of the infrastructure group. His expertise in the availability-payment P3 model has been pivotal, particularly in his work with the Florida Department of Transportation on projects such as the I-595 Corridor and the Port of Miami Tunnel P3.
According to Harder, the infrastructure and P3 markets are undergoing significant changes, presenting new challenges and opportunities for innovation. Factors such as climate change and technological advancements, like the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles, are driving the need for infrastructure upgrades and redesigns. Harder emphasizes the importance of adapting to these changes to meet evolving demands.
Harder highlights the influence of major federal programs, such as the 2021 infrastructure law and the 2022 climate bill, in shaping the landscape of infrastructure projects. These initiatives contribute to the development of a pipeline of major infrastructure projects with long gestation periods that are now reaching completion. This is expected to result in a surge of activity across various delivery methods on significant projects.
In addition to his role at Norton Rose Fulbright, Harder has represented key clients like the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Currently, he is involved in a P3 proton therapy project for the University of California in San Francisco. Norton Rose Fulbright’s U.S. infrastructure group co-chair, Doug Fried, acknowledges the firm’s position as a leading North American infrastructure legal advisor and expresses confidence in Harder’s ability to strengthen their client offerings.
Accompanying Patrick Harder to Norton Rose Fulbright is associate Sharon Jeong, who previously worked at Nossaman and Baker McKenzie. With experience in finance and projects, Jeong brings a diverse skill set to the firm’s expanding infrastructure practice.
The addition of Patrick Harder as co-head of the U.S. and North America infrastructure groups at Norton Rose Fulbright signifies a strategic move to capitalize on the evolving infrastructure market. His expertise and experience are expected to drive innovation and meet the growing demands of clients in the sector. As the industry continues to evolve, Norton Rose Fulbright remains positioned to navigate these changes effectively with its strengthened team.