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Felisa E. Sanchez
Felisa E. Sanchez

Felisa E. Sanchez

Partner
Houston
+1.713.815.7336
Email Felisa E. Sanchez @ Felisa.Sanchez@klgates.com
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Felisa Sanchez is a partner in the firm's Maritime and Offshore Energy practice group as well as the firm’s Finance practice group. She has a broad practice in maritime transactions, energy, and finance. 

Felisa has represented both domestic and international clients in maritime financings, leasing and restructurings involving maritime assets such as drillships and drilling rigs, tugs, barges, cargo vessels, supply vessels, cruise ships, yachts and related collateral. She has also represented clients in a variety of maritime industry and fisheries transactions, joint ventures, acquisitions, operational contracts, charters, shipping contracts, fuel supply agreements, port development agreements and leasing, involving vessels, ports, and maritime assets.

In addition to assisting clients with financing matters, Felisa has also advised clients in investments and acquisitions involving maritime assets. This includes private equity investments in maritime portfolio companies, acquisitions and divestitures and the purchase of maritime assets out of bankruptcy and restructuring settings. She represents both investors and owners in companies owning Jones Act vessels as well as fishing vessels with a focus on compliance with coastwise trade laws and the American Fisheries Act. Over the years, she has also assisted clients with vessel purchase and sales under various flags, including the United States, Marshall Islands, Liberia, Bahamas, Panama, and Vanuatu, among others. Felisa is also experienced with maritime issues, port matters and charterparties for offshore wind and offshore oil and gas projects.

Felisa's general finance practice includes domestic and international debt financings secured by a variety of asset. She is experienced in representing both borrowers and lenders in commercial loans in industries including energy and energy services, food and beverage, auto dealership financing and other specialized financial services industries. She has also advised clients in the restructuring of debt and collateral lien reviews involving traditional, energy and maritime assets. Felisa also is experienced with equipment leasing matters.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Felisa has over 20 years of experience serving clients in the financial services, maritime, transportation, and energy industries. Prior to joining the firm, Felisa was of counsel for a global firm, representing public and private companies in complex transactions.

  • Houston’s Top Lawyers, Energy & Natural Resources, H Texas Magazine, 2011
  • Houston Top Professional on the Fast Track, Energy & Natural Resources, H Texas Magazine, 2006, 2007
  • Women International Shipping & Trading Association
    • Co-President, Texas Chapter (Current)
  • Houston Bar Association
    • International Law Section
      • Executive Council Member
      • Chair (2008 - 2009)
      • Former Vice Chair (2007 - 2008), Secretary/Treasurer (2006 - 2007)
  • Speaker, “Salty, Silent, but not Surreptitious: Update on Maritime Liens,” UT Law CLE Admiralty and Maritime Law Conference, 10 January 2025
  • Moderator, “Offshore Wind Conversation,” among in-house counsel for the Port of New Bedford, Port of Albany and South Jersey Port Corporation, American Association of Port Authorities’ (AAPA) Port Administration Management Conference, 12 June 2024
  • Panelist, “Offshore Wind’s Role in the Decarbonization of the Global Power Industry,” K&L Gates LLP, Wood Mackenzie and Japan Institute for Overseas Investment’s Route to Zero Emission: Opportunities in the Evolving Power Markets Seminar, 11 September 2023
  • Speaker, “Handling Commercial Loans: From Loan Structures to Documentation and Closing,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., 1 June 2023
  • Panelist, “The Role of Ports in Supporting Offshore Wind Development,” K&L Gates’ The Blue Economy, 16 November 2022
  • Moderator, “Options to Finance or Fund Port Economic Development,” K&L Gates’ The Blue Economy, 16 November 2022
  • Panelist, "OSW Permitting and Approvals,” Northwest Environmental Business Council’s Oregon’s Energy Future Offshore Wind Symposium, 8 September 2022
  • Speaker, “Handling Commercial Loans: From Loan Structures to Documentation and Closing,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., 23 June 2022
  • Webinar speaker, “U.S. Jones Act and Its Implications for Canadian Companies in the Offshore Wind Supply Chain,” Marine Renewables Canada and the Consulate General of Canada, Boston, 24 June 2021
  • Speaker and panelist, “Handling Commercial Loans: From Loan Structures to Documentation and Closing,” Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, Inc., 26 May 2021
  • Speaker, “Navigating Unprecedented Times: The Impact of the Coronavirus and Historically-Low Oil Prices,” Association of Corporate Counsel, Houston, 5 May 2020
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