Willkie Adds Leading Data Center and Digital Infrastructure Team

September 16, 2026

New York, NY (September 16, 2026) - Willkie today announced that it has added a leading data center and digital infrastructure team, including four real estate partners based in Willkie's Dallas office. The partners are James Grice, Bruce 'Eddie' Lowry, Michael McKinley, and Thu Pham. The group significantly expands Willkie's capabilities in the sector and further strengthens the Firm's broader infrastructure and real estate platform.

Jim Grice will serve as the chair of the Firm's Digital Infrastructure and Data Center practice. A seasoned commercial real estate lawyer, Jim advises investors, developers, operators, and users in a wide range of transactions. He is widely recognized for his work in digital infrastructure and data centers, with decades of experience handling complex, high-profile matters.

"The scale of investment flowing into digital infrastructure is reshaping the technology and capital markets sectors, and creating increasingly complex commercial, legal, and regulatory considerations for our clients," said Firm Chairman Matthew Feldman. "Bringing Jim and his team to Willkie enhances our ability to provide comprehensive counsel on matters that require strong transactional experience, deep sector knowledge, and an understanding of this rapidly evolving regulatory landscape."

"Willkie's reputation for handling sophisticated, high-value transactions made this an easy decision," said Jim Grice. "The firm's global reach and strong corporate, energy, and finance practices provide an exceptional platform for the integrated counsel our clients expect. We look forward to building on that foundation alongside our new colleagues in Dallas and across Willkie."

Jim regularly advises clients on standalone data center asset purchases and divestitures, including matters involving operations, leasing, subleasing, co-location and related services. He is a regular speaker at industry events and is recognized for his work in legal and industry publications.

"Jim, Eddie, Michael, and Thu bring a record of success that speaks for itself," said Eric Pogue, Global Chair of Power & Renewable Energy. "Their capabilities and deep experience across digital infrastructure and energy complement our existing power and finance practices in ways that will immediately benefit our clients. Together, we're an even stronger team across the board."

Eddie Lowry has more than 28 years of experience in infrastructure and energy transactions. His practice includes advising clients on digital infrastructure and data center development and operations, as well as energy and power agreements, water allocation, fiber and telecommunication issues, colocation agreements, master service agreements, and management-related issues.

Michael McKinley and Thu Pham focus on project development and real estate, with an emphasis on digital infrastructure - including data center leasing, state and local tax and permittability matters. Together, these additions significantly strengthen Willkie's real estate infrastructure capabilities in Dallas and across the Firm. The team joins from Akerman.

"We're thrilled to welcome this dynamic team to our Dallas office," said Holt Foster, Managing Partner of Willkie's Dallas office. "Adding a team of this caliber marks another important milestone in Willkie's ongoing growth in and commitment to the Dallas market, as well as building upon our industry leading capabilities in this rapidly evolving area of the law."

The team's arrival follows the addition of a number of significant energy and real estate hires over the last year in Texas and beyond - including the addition of lateral project development (EPC) partner, Matthew Penny, in Houston last month.

Opened in 2024, Willkie's Dallas office extends the Firm's prominent corporate, private equity, M&A, litigation, finance, real estate, tax, executive compensation, employee benefits, and restructuring practices to clients across the region. The office serves a diverse client base spanning technology, energy, financial services, retail, aerospace & defense, industrials, manufacturing, aviation, automotive, chemicals, healthcare, infrastructure, and other sectors.

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About Willkie

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP provides leading-edge legal solutions on complex, business critical issues spanning markets and industries. Our approximately 1,300 attorneys across 16 offices worldwide deliver innovative, pragmatic, and sophisticated legal services across approximately 45 practice areas. Learn more at https://www.willkie.com.