American attorney David Wochner assumes leadership role within K&L Gates' US division
David Wochner, a seasoned energy industry advisor with nearly 25 years of experience, has been appointed as the new United States Regional Managing Partner at K&L Gates LLP, a global law firm headquartered in Pittsburgh. Wochner's new role commenced on July 15, 2025, and he will continue to serve as the Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office until at least March 2026.
Thomas Smith, who previously held the position, has expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to have served as the United States Regional Managing Partner and will remain on the Advisory Council until March 1, 2026. Smith has also mentioned that he looks forward to supporting Wochner and the new leadership team to continue the growth trajectory of the firm.
Wochner's extensive expertise in energy infrastructure and commodities, as well as his leadership in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Hydrogen practices, makes him a valuable asset to the firm. He has been guiding the global policy and regulatory practice at K&L Gates since 2016 and has served as the Managing Partner of the Washington, D.C. office from 2015 to 2023.
In his new role, Wochner will drive strategic growth and enhance the firm's capabilities in serving clients across various sectors, including energy. He emphasised the benefits of meeting clients' needs and bringing to bear the full capacity of the lawyers' and policy professionals' capabilities. Wochner also commented on the fully integrated platform of K&L Gates, enabling seamless delivery of deep industry knowledge and experience across offices.
Wochner expressed excitement about helping drive strategic growth and further connectivity among K&L Gates' offices. He also expressed gratitude for the firm's leadership placing their trust in him.
The appointment of Wochner as the new United States Regional Managing Partner reflects his ability to advise clients within the global energy industry on U.S. federal regulatory and policy issues affecting energy infrastructure and commodities. His leadership roles, including heading the Policy and Regulatory practice, have positioned him as a key figure in advising clients on complex energy-related regulatory issues.
[1] K&L Gates Press Release, "David Wochner Named U.S. Regional Managing Partner at K&L Gates", July 15, 2025. [2] K&L Gates, "David Wochner", accessed July 15, 2025,
- David Wochner, with his extensive experience in the energy industry and expertise in finance, will leverage his knowledge to drive strategic growth and enhance the firm's capabilities in serving clients across various sectors, particularly energy.
- In his new role, Wochner will utilize his leadership in the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and Hydrogen practices, aligning the firm's business strategies with the evolving trends in the energy sector.
