Pillsbury, through its Energy Industry Group, is launching a Hydrogen practice as part of its efforts to assist clients with the opportunities presented by the energy transition. The newly formed multidisciplined group of lawyers—believed to be one of the first launched by an AmLaw 100 firm—has a deep understanding of hydrogen-based energy technologies and projects and an unsurpassed track record of helping clients—across a range of industries—bring their hydrogen-related innovations to the global market.

“Hydrogen energy technologies have broad appeal, offering substantial benefits to energy intensive industries, road and maritime transportation businesses, sustainability focused financiers and lenders, the government and the environmental community,” said firmwide Energy Industry Group leader and Washington, DC partner Sheila Harvey. “The opportunities involving hydrogen are enormous, and we are already working with clients to capitalize on them, in the United States and other markets on a global basis.”

Hydrogen stands to be a major component of the ongoing energy transition. The most abundant element in the universe, it cleanly and efficiently generates electricity and heat through an electrochemical reaction, with only potable water as a by-product. It is an extremely efficient and safe medium for energy storage and is already shaping up to be an important part of the future transportation ecosystem—the hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market alone is projected to grow by nearly 70% in the next five years to more than $42 billion globally.

Pillsbury's hydrogen map plots “green” and “blue” hydrogen project, with more than 200 projects already included.

Pillsbury has extensive experience in matters relating to hydrogen technologies, across a wide variety of industries, practices and geographies. The firm has recently represented Mitsubishi Power Americas on hydrogen-ready power plant projects as well as hybrid solar and energy storage deals; Clean Air Task Force (CATF) on legislative and strategy matters in connection with an initiative to use nuclear energy for the production of hydrogen and other alternative fuels; and a number of EV manufacturers on the potential of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and related corporate transactions, financings and investments. 

The Pillsbury team also includes lawyers with prior experience advising industrial gas supplier Air Liquide on hydrogen-related matters and automakers including BMW Group and Toyota in connection with hydrogen fuel cell technologies. 

Innovation has long been the through line of Pillsbury’s energy and technology practices. Today that includes being at the forefront of the energy transition, guiding clients in the diversification from fossil fuels to renewable energy, carbon capture, utilization and energy storage. Hydrogen and many new energy technologies are already playing a crucial role in the clean energy transition. Pillsbury’s global, cross-disciplinary energy team is helping clients navigate the transformation underway in the energy sector and offer strategic advice on new energy technologies as they emerge.