Vincent C. Zabielski

Vincent also served as associate general counsel-nuclear at Public Service Enterprise Group in New Jersey, advising the operators and owners of the Salem/Hope Creek Generating Stations regarding all aspects of nuclear operations. In this role, Vincent was responsible for all commercial contracts and routinely served as the legal interface with regulators.

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Vincent was an engineering manager at a large nuclear facility in the United States. He has particular experience in crafting integrated solutions for new-build projects that leverage his legal, business and engineering experience to deliver maximum value for the client.

• Nuclear New-Build Construction
  • Represented Akkuyu Nükleer A.Ş. on the development, structuring, contracting and financing of the 4800MW Akkuyu NPP in Turkey which included drafting and negotiating all major project agreements for nuclear new-build plants, including EPC contracts, O&M contracts, fuel supply agreements and owner’s engineer agreements.
  • Advised China Nuclear Power Engineering on delivery sections of the Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C nuclear new build projects in the UK and the ITER fusion project in France, including EPC contracts.
  • Served as a senior advisor for the Horizon Power in the United Kingdom in its development of 5,400 MW of new nuclear capacity at Anglesey and Oldbury in Wales, including EPC contract development.
  • Assisted the Clean Air Task Force (CATF) in developing comprehensive and forward-thinking procurement strategies for nuclear new-build projects.
  • Advised General Fusion, a Canadian fusion developer, on a nuclear fusion demonstration plant in the UK.
• SMRs and Advanced Nuclear
  • Advised Moltex Canada on its waste-consuming molten salt reactor technology, including funding, regulatory and commercial arrangements for a first-of-a-kind project.
  • Advise advanced reactor suppliers including TerraPower, X-Energy and other fourth-generation reactor developers on strategy and business structure, M&A, export controls, and nuclear fuel matters.
  • Advised a nuclear operator on multijurisdictional export control compliance for cross-border transfers of nuclear technology and data.
• Regulatory
  • Counseled Electric Power Research Institute regarding various domestic (U.S.) and international energy and commercial issues, including international transportation of irradiated material samples and export controls.
  • Advised EDF, EPRI and other nuclear-sector participants on export controls and nuclear non-proliferation compliance.
  • Advised a nuclear operator on multijurisdictional export control compliance for cross-border transfers of nuclear technology and data.
  • Advised a global energy company on sanctions and export control risks affecting nuclear fuel supply chains involving sensitive jurisdictions.
  • Advised Ad Hoc Utilities Group (AHUG) on international trade matters.
  • Advised a Middle Eastern energy ministry in its negotiations with the U.S. government.
  • Advised on U.S. government contracting and CFIUS issues for European and UK-based suppliers.
  • Advised a developer of nuclear waste disposal solutions on regulatory due diligence relating to a strategic nuclear site acquisition in Europe.
• Transactional
  • Routinely serve as nuclear counsel for major Am Law 100 law firms that lack nuclear expertise on nuclear M&A deals.
  • Advised SK Inc. and SK Innovation in its $250 million investment of TerraPower, a leading nuclear innovation company and next-generation small modular reactor developer.
  • Advised Samsung C&T Corporation regarding the acquisition in shares of NuScale, including legal due diligence and acquiring approvals for the transaction, including CFIUS.
  • Advised NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. on its acquisition of Secured Transportation Services LLC (STS), a global nuclear logistics and transportation company specializing in the safe and compliant movement of radioactive and nuclear materials.
  • Advised financial institutions on regulatory, sanctions and export control due diligence in connection with investments in nuclear services and isotope supply businesses.
  • Advised an international investor on a minority investment in an advanced nuclear reactor developer, including national security and foreign investment considerations.
  • Advised on dispute resolution for a tech mega project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the acquisition of a nuclear supply-chain business, including regulatory due diligence and transaction structuring.
  • Advised private equity bidders regarding nuclear due diligence of acquisition of the largest medical radioisotope supplier in Europe.
• Fuel Trading and Supply Chains
  • Advised Slovenské elektrárne regarding fuel procurement strategy and contracts for uranium concentrates, conversion and enrichment services, enriched uranium and fuel fabrication.
  • Advising THK and its U.S. subsidiary Kazatomprom Inc. with respect to its uranium trading agreements with U.S. utilities and other customers and intermediaries, as well as its non-nuclear sales contracts.
  • Advising OCP and Uranext on the development and commercialisation of alternative uranium resources to support global nuclear fuel supply diversification.
  • Advised a major international utility on uranium fuel procurement and supply arrangements, including sanctions and export control considerations.
  • Counselled on nuclear fuels matters for TEPCO, ENEC and many U.S. nuclear utilities.
  • Represented CNNC Lanzhou Uranium Enrichment Corporation, a Chinese State-owned nuclear fuel company in reviewing and negotiating Enrichment Fuel Supply and Service Agreement with a U.S. public utility company.
• Non-Nuclear Energy and Infrastructure
  • Advised Sojitz Corp on a $65 million telecoms infrastructure project in Myanmar including the main EPC contract with the Myanmar government and the subcontracting arrangements and interface agreement.
  • Represented HDGSK, a South Korean joint venture led by Hyundai Engineering & Construction, in proceedings relating to the construction of a power plant in Iraq.
  • Represented Sojitz Corporation on the acquisition of a 90% operating interest from AES of the Kelanitissa diesel fired power generation facility near Colombo, Sri Lanka, the second largest power generation facility in Sri Lanka.
  • Advised on construction contracts for nuclear and non-nuclear infrastructure projects, including hotels, desalination plants, hydro plants, semiconductor factories, and many others.
  • Advised on dispute resolution for a tech mega project in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

• Selected publications and speaking engagements
  • “Nuclear Energy Ticks All the Boxes,” Titans of Nuclear podcast dedicated interview, May 8, 2024.
  • “New Nuclear Power Plant Financing,” Nuclear Power Plants Summit (NPPES), Istanbul, Turkey, June 30–July 1, 2026. Speaker.
  • Nuclear Energy Innovation Summit for Africa (NEISA 2026), Kigali, Rwanda. Speaker
  • “Nuclear Energy: Key Facts and Issues,” MIT and Clean Air Task Force, Brussels, May 4-7, 2026. Instructor.
  • “Letter: Why extending the life of Sizewell B is a no-brainer,” Financial Times, Jan. 26, 2026. Author.
  • “Can the UK fulfil its ambitious nuclear construction plans?” World Construction Week, March 30, 2026. Author.
  • “UK moves to extend life of Sizewell B nuclear plant by 20 years,” Financial Times, Jan. 21, 2026. Quoted.
  • “U.S.-British Deal Would Speed Nuclear Plant Construction,” The New York Times, Sept. 15, 2025. Quoted.
  • “Podcast: The nuclear energy lawyer's perspective,” World Nuclear News, July 31, 2025.
  • “Letter: Sizewell C is buildable and ‘bumblebees can fly,’” Financial Times, Sept. 19, 2025. Author.
  • “Is the UK’s giant new nuclear power station ‘unbuildable’?” Financial Times, Aug. 27, 2025. Quoted.
  • “Financing AI’s Nuclear Power,” The Economist, October 31, 2024. Author.
  • GAR Live Energy, Disputes Nuclear Projects Panel, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sept. 5, 2022. Participant.
  • “Letter: Nuclear Plan Is Eight Steps Forward, Six Steps Back,” Financial Times, April 12, 2022. Author.
  • “Point Taken: The UK Supreme Court Finally Confirms the General Law of Liquidated Damages (LDs),” Gravel2Gavel, March 21, 2022. Coauthor.
  • “Britain Moves to Attract Financing for Nuclear Plants,” The New York Times, October 2021. Quoted.
  • “No Time to Pause on New Nuclear,” Nuclear Engineering International. Sept. 11, 2021. Author.
  • “The UK Hydrogen Strategy,” Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Aug. 23, 2021. Coauthor.
  • “UK Issues Draft Regulations Governing Nuclear Propulsion Systems for Commercial Ships,” Aug. 12, 2021. Coauthor.
  • “Going Nuclear: A Question for Head or Heart?,” June 1, 2021. Coauthor.
  • “EU Takes Key Step in Taxonomy Rollout,” April 22, 2021. Coauthor.
  • “EU Returns to Science-Based Decision-Making in Landmark Nuclear Report,” April 7, 2021. Coauthor.
  • “Europe/The Growing Split between Pro and Anti-Nuclear,” NucNet, April 20, 2020. Author.
  • “Triple Points to the English Court of Appeal for Clarifying the Law on LDs,” Gravel2Gavel, May 16, 2019. Coauthor.
  • “Euratom: The Brexit Hostage, Nuclear Future,” Vol. 15, No. 2, April 30, 2019. Coauthor.
  • “Regulated Asset Base: A Model for the Nuclear Future?,” Power Engineering International, April 24, 2019. Coauthor.
  • “Energizing Development,” Nuclear Engineering International, August 7, 2018. Coauthor.
  • “Managing Risks at the Frontier – Contractual, Structural and Intergovernmental Arrangements for Nuclear Power Projects in Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries,” Nuclear Inter Jura Congress, Nov. 5, 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  • Financial Times Ocean Nuclear Financing Summit, June 7, 2018, London UK. Speaker.
  • “Whatever Happened to the Nuclear Renaissance?,” The Energy Industry Times, Oct. 25, 2017. Coauthor. This article was honored by the Burton Awards at the 19th annual Burton gala awards. 
  • “Mitigating Risks in Nuclear New-Build, The Fourth Arab Forum on the Prospects of Nuclear Power for Electricity Generation and Seawater Desalination,” Oct. 10–12, 2017, Amman, Jordan. 
  • “Managing Supply Chain Risk,” Nuclear Engineering International, Oct. 4, 2017. Coauthor.
  • “United Kingdom–United States Energy Commerce in Post-Brexit World,” July 26, 2017, Sponsored by Pillsbury, webinar. Speaker.
  • “Mitigating Risks in Nuclear New-Build – Considerations for Vendors and Host Counties,” Asia Nuclear Business Platform 2017, May 18, 2017, Shanghai, China. Presenter.
  • “Key Issues and Lessons Learned: Development of Nuclear Power Plants in Turkey,” training provided to State Nuclear Power technology Corporation LTD. “SNPTC,” May 15, 2017, Beijing, China. Presentation by Vincent Zabielski and Jeffrey Merrifield.
  • “Avoiding a Crash Landing for the UK Nuclear Industry,” The ENDS Report, April 13, 2017.
  • “The Power of Brexit,” Nuclear Engineering International, Jan. 18, 2017. 
  • “Ensuring a ‘Soft Brexit’ for the UK’s Nuclear Industry,” World Nuclear News, Nov. 24, 2016.
  • “Alternative Financing Models for New Nuclear,” WNA Lawyers Working Group, Sept. 14, 2016, London, UK. Presenter.
  • “Project Finance Structures for Nuclear Power Plants,” 2016 New Nuclear International conference, June 6–7, 2016, Warsaw, Poland. Presenter.
  • “Cybersecurity: Retaining the Power,” Nuclear Engineering International online, Feb. 16, 2016. Coauthor. 
  • “New Challenges for Nuclear New Build Financing,” Nuclear Future, Nov. 16, 2015. Coauthor.
  • “In Perspective: Lessons Learned for Nuclear New-Build,” Nuclear Intelligence Weekly, November 6, 2015. Coauthor.
  • “Securing Finance for Nuclear Projects,” Project Finance International, May 20, 2015. Coauthor.
  • “Hinkley – Lessons Need to Be Heeded in Using First-Of-A-Kind EPR Technology,” Power Engineering International, May 11, 2015. Quoted.
  • “Managing Licensing Risk in New-Build Construction Contracts for Emerging Markets,” WNA New Build Licensing Conference 2015, April 21, 2015, Prague, Czech Republic.
  • Seminar on Nuclear Procurement, Contracting and Financing, Rosatom Corporate Academy, July 7, 2015, Moscow, Russian Federation.
  • “Financing Requirements for Nuclear New-Build – Designing Success from the Start,” 2nd MENA Nuclear Energy Summit 2015, June 9, 2015, Istanbul, Turkey.
• Honours & Awards
  • Recognised as one of the Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom for Energy and Natural Resources Law (2022).
  • The Legal 500 UK, recognised for Emerging Markets (2019–2020) and Power (including electricity and nuclear) (2025–2026).
  • Westinghouse Electric Co.’s restructuring and $4.6 billion acquisition by Brookfield Business Partners L.P., has been named Private Equity Acquisition of the Year 2019 (above $1 billion) by the Global M&A Network’s 11th annual Turnaround Atlas Awards.
  • In the Restructuring Deal of the Year category, for the 11th Annual International M&A Awards, the organization selected Westinghouse Electric Co.’s restructuring and $4.6 billion acquisition by Brookfield Business Partners.
  • International Financial Law Review selected Westinghouse Electric Co.’s restructuring and $4.6 acquisition by Brookfield Business Partners L.P., in which Pillsbury advised on critical regulatory and policy issues, as Private Equity Deal of the Year. Each year, IFLR honors legally innovative.