Vinson & Elkins Hires Melissa Raciti-Knapp as Finance Partner

Raciti-Knapp is a deeply experienced project finance lawyer who has led many complex infrastructure and energy transactions.

Vinson & Elkins today announced that Melissa Raciti-Knapp has joined the firm as a New York-based partner in the firm’s Finance practice.

Raciti-Knapp’s practice is focused on project finance and project development. She assists sponsors, developers, commercial banks, export credit agencies, multilaterals and other financial institutions on a wide variety of matters. Her sector experience covers conventional and renewable power, mining, oil and gas, water treatment, telecom and other infrastructure projects.

“Melissa will help us meet the fast-rising demand for financing work on power, data center, and other infrastructure projects in the U.S. and abroad and will expand our relationships with key sources of capital for these sectors,” said Vinson & Elkins Chair Keith Fullenweider.

Fluent in Spanish, Raciti-Knapp also has significant experience handling transactions in Latin America.

“Melissa is a dynamic, well-respected leader in project finance with diverse experience advising both on the borrower and lender side, including leading on the development of first-of-their-kind and utility-scale facilities throughout North America, Latin America, and the Caribbean,” said Vinson & Elkins Partner Eamon Nolan, co-office managing partner of the firm’s New York office. “She will be a tremendous asset to the firm’s energy and infrastructure clients.”

Raciti-Knapp joins from Freshfields, where she was head of the U.S. Energy and Infrastructure group and co-head of the firm’s Latin America practice.

“As one of the most respected firms in the infrastructure and energy sector, Vinson & Elkins is the ideal platform to expand my team’s project finance practice, both in the U.S. and Latin America,” she said. “As I have gotten to know lawyers at the firm, it’s become even more clear that Vinson & Elkins will be a perfect match.”

Raciti-Knapp earned a bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, from Columbia University and a Juris Doctor degree from Columbia Law School. She was recognized by Latinvex as one of Latin America’s Top 100 Lawyers for 2025, including ranking as one of eight lawyers for Energy and one of ten lawyers for Project Finance. She is also recognized by Chambers Latin America (Project Finance; 2009–2026) and Chambers USA (Projects; 2004–2025).

Vinson & Elkins’ Project & Infrastructure Finance team has represented clients in the development and financing of projects located throughout the world, including data centers, conventional and renewable power generation, LNG liquefaction and regasification facilities, hydroelectric projects, power transmission lines, natural gas storage facilities, and petrochemical plants.

About Vinson & Elkins
For more than a century, Vinson & Elkins has provided outstanding client service across important industries that drive the global economy. Built on a strong culture of collaboration across 14 offices worldwide, V&E lawyers are committed to excellence, offering clients decades of legal experience in handling transactions, investments, projects and disputes across the globe. Learn more by visiting www.velaw.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

For more information, please speak with our media contacts.