United Kingdom > London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)
Index of tables
Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)
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Leading individuals
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- David Baker White & Case LLP
- Jeffery Barratt Norton Rose LLP
- Nicholas Buckworth Shearman & Sterling LLP
- Simon Currie Norton Rose LLP
- John Dewar Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
- Louise Eccleston Ashurst LLP
- Ross Fairley Burges Salmon LLP
- Phillip Fletcher Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP
- Jeremy Gewirtz Linklaters LLP
- Andrew Grenville Clifford Chance
- Paula Hodges Herbert Smith LLP
- John Inglis Ashurst LLP
- Jason Kerr White & Case LLP
- Robert Lane CMS Cameron McKenna LLP
- Richard Metcalf Norton Rose LLP
- Charlotte Morgan Linklaters LLP
- Mark Newbery Herbert Smith LLP
- Douglas Nordlinger Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
- John Pickett Linklaters LLP
- Julia Pyke Herbert Smith LLP
- Ian Salter Burges Salmon LLP
- Marcus Trinick Eversheds LLP
- Richard Tyler Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Neil Upton Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP
- Douglas Wardle Watson, Farley & Williams LLP
- Matthew Williams Hogan Lovells International LLP
- Charles Wood SNR Denton
Allen & Overy LLP impresses with its ‘strong knowledge base and level of commitment’, coupled with ‘considerable resource support’. Anne Baldock’s team ‘covers all the bases’ and includes Timothy Arnheim on the Middle East power side; Gareth Price on nuclear; and construction specialist Mark Walker. Highlights included advising Rosatom on the development of the Akkuyu nuclear plant in Turkey, and advising the lenders on the £235m Drax forward start facility refinancing.
CMS Cameron McKenna LLP has ‘excellent sector knowledge’. Regulated industries head Robert Lane is a ‘market leader’; emerging markets specialist Vivek Gambhir is noted for his ‘knack for putting forward convincing arguments’; and Munir Hassan is rated for renewables work. In a strong illustration of its regulatory prowess, the firm is advising National Grid Offshore on its bid for OFTO transmission assets.
Clifford Chance is recommended for its ‘deep industry knowledge’, ‘commercial pragmatism’, and ‘understanding of the peculiarities of power project financing’. Practice head Andrew Grenville is an ‘institution’; the ‘imaginative’ Jeremy Connick has ‘deep experience in bank financing’, and is a ‘confident problem solver’; corporate specialist Brendan Moylan is a ‘tenacious advocate’; and Russell Wells has ‘outstanding legal skills’. The firm advised International Power on GDF SUEZ’s £17bn reverse takeover of the power company.
Herbert Smith LLP is ‘the “go-to” firm for power’, with ‘unbeatable experience across finance, regulatory and litigation’. Nuclear and conventional power remain notable strengths. Highlights included advising EDF on the £5.8bn sale of its electricity network distribution businesses in the UK. Mark Newbery heads a ‘commercial and strategic team’ that includes the ‘razor-sharp’ Stephen Murray and ‘leading nuclear specialist’ Julia Pyke.
Linklaters LLP’s team ‘adopts a high level of judgement and consistency of advice’, and is ‘one of the most experienced in the City’. Jeremy Gewirtz is ‘commercial, with an in-depth knowledge of the energy sector’; and John Pickett is noted for his ability to ‘propose solutions in order to break deadlock situations in complex negotiations’. The firm advised DDF SUEZ on its reverse takeover of International Power.
Ashurst LLP provides ‘technical and commercial knowledge and experience’, with Peter Roberts and the ‘highly pragmatic’ John Inglis recommended. In addition to its strong Middle East power practice, the firm is active domestically, and advised DONG Energy and Scottish Power Renewables on a joint venture to develop the West of Duddon Sands wind farm.
In 2010, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP hired Alan Rae Smith from Allen & Overy LLP to head its London energy team. It is ‘simply the best for nuclear’, with Sally Roe and Jonathan Isted highlighted for their ‘excellent industry understanding and commercial awareness’. The firm advised Westinghouse on new commercial arrangements with the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA).
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP has advised on over half of the projects closed in the Middle East during the last decade. Phillip Fletcher is the ‘best equipped and most sophisticated lender’s counsel around’; and John Dewar has ‘deep knowledge of the sector’. The firm advised the lenders on the financing of the Barka 3 and Sohar 2 IPPs in Oman.
Norton Rose LLP is ‘the firm to beat on the green side’, and has an ‘enviable ability to cream off the top-tier mandates’, under head of renewables Simon Currie. Other recommended names include Richard Metcalf, who leads the firm’s electricity practice, and head of nuclear Peter Hall. The firm is advising Boyabat Elektrik ÜRETIM VE Ticaret on the $1.1bn project financing of a dam and hydroelectric power plant.
At SNR Denton, Charles Wood is an ‘undoubted leader in the field’, and Danielle Beggs is a ‘very good lawyer who always provides balanced advice’. The firm handles a broad spread of power project financings, regulatory matters and corporate work; recent transactional highlights include advising Ofgem on the second transitional tender round for offshore electricity transmission.
At Shearman & Sterling LLP, project finance co-head Nicholas Buckworth is ‘the man you want in your corner’, and Kenneth MacRitchie is also recommended. The firm has strength across project finance, litigation and corporate matters, and in 2010 advised International Power on its offering of €250m senior notes.
Slaughter and May demonstrates ‘technical excellence in the energy sphere’, and shines on the corporate side, in line with the firm’s signature practice. Deals included advising Irish electricity utility ESB on the acquisition of Northern Ireland Electricity, the Northern Irish electricity transmission and distribution business of the Viridian Group. Hywel Davies is the main contact.
White & Case LLP provides ‘well-documented advice without being too dogmatic’. David Baker is ‘first class’, and Jason Kerr is a ‘market leader’. The firm has the capacity to work on any side of a deal, covering power projects, and renewable and nuclear matters. In a headline instruction, the firm advised EIB on its €450m participation in the development of a €1bn offshore wind farm.
Baker & McKenzie LLP’s nuclear credentials skyrocketed in 2010, with notable work including advising KEPCO on the $20bn development and financing of a nuclear power plant in the UAE. Hugh Stewart heads the team, which includes Neil Donoghue.
Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP is ‘responsive and reliable’, and power specialist Deborah Greenwood is a ‘very capable pair of hands’. In a major highlight, the firm advised Oman Power and Water Procurement on the $1.7bn Barka III and Sohar II IPPs.
Chadbourne & Parke (London) LLP specialises in international project finance, attracting a steady stream of mandates from the Middle East and Africa. In 2010, Robin Mizrahi advised Aldwych as sponsor on a hydropower IPP in Tanzania.
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP’s ‘refreshingly pragmatic’ team is led by Nabil Khodadad, and includes ‘regulatory expert’ Scott Brodsky, who is applauded for his ‘immense talent and charisma’. The firm is advising Palestine Power Generating Company on the development of a $300m IPP.
Hogan Lovells International LLP attracts praise for its ‘exceptional industry knowledge’, with power specialist Richard Tyler highlighted for his ‘determination and client focus’ and ability to ‘add value’. In 2010 the team advised John Lewis Partnership on several alternative energy projects. In a major coup, it hired energy partners Matthew Williams and John Deacon from Hunton & Williams in 2011.
Pinsent Masons LLP’s historical construction strength ensures a good flow of power mandates. Paul Rice heads a group that is advising London Array Limited on the procurement of phase 1 of the £2bn London Array scheme, the first 1GW offshore wind farm. Matthew Collinson, formerly in house at Inexus, joined as a consultant.
Simmons & Simmons’ is winning some high-profile instructions on the alternative energy side, such as advising Holmen on the Workington Mill Biomass CHP Plant in Cumbria. Team head Charles Bankes is an ‘outstanding regulatory lawyer’.
Vinson & Elkins RLLP advised Hg Renewable Power Partners on several mandates in 2010, including its partnership with Vestas Northern Europe and the development of the Ytterberg wind farm. Mark Coker is recommended.
In 2010, Addleshaw Goddard LLP hired Roger Clayson, former head of legal at the NDA, as legal director. The practice encompasses conventional energy, nuclear and renewables, and was recently instructed by Geothermal to review the regulatory regime in England and Wales.
Burges Salmon LLP has ‘extremely good knowledge of the nuclear sector’, and is applauded for its ‘steady growth, rather than the current fashion for opening expensive offices all around the globe’. The firm advised the NDA on the £500m disposal of Springfields Fuels and its nuclear fuel business to Westinghouse.
Clyde & Co LLP bolstered its team through the hire of George Booth from Simmons & Simmons. The firm is advising African Minerals on a £3bn development, including a power station, in Sierra Leone.
DLA Piper UK LLP boosted its nuclear capability with the hire of Darren Walsh, formerly in-house at British Nuclear Group. Ian Wood is also recommended for nuclear work, and led advice to Magnox North and Magnox South on their integration into a single company.
Dundas & Wilson LLP ‘works hard to ensure the best outcome’, and joint energy head Andrew Renton has an ‘excellent understanding of construction’. The consortium 3SE instructed the firm in relation to the Bradford and Calderdale Joint Waste Project.
In renewables, Eversheds LLP is a ‘leader in policy and project structuring’, and advised RWE npower renewables on the mammoth £1bn Gwynt y Mor project. Michelle Thomas ‘keeps divergent objectives on track’; and Marcus Trinick’s knowledge of the wind industry is ‘second to none’.
Fulbright & Jaworski International LLP advised IFC and Asian Development Bank on the restructuring of a $275m debt financing in Karachi Electric Supply Company. Andrew Hart is very active.
Latham & Watkins LLP’s team continues to go ‘from strength to strength’, with Dennis Nordstrom and Simon Dickens considered ‘leaders in the field’. The firm advised Clean Energy Solutions on the construction of a wind farm in Ukraine.
Mayer Brown International LLP’s group is led by Robert Hamill, and is distinguished by its ‘excellent quality of service’. The team advised Ex-Im Bank on a $580m solar power project.
Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP is well known for its specialism in nuclear, and George Borovas’ team in London has a growing profile. The group acted for Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation on the purchase of four nuclear power reactors.
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP excels on corporate and finance matters, under the leadership of Douglas Nordlinger. The firm advised China Huaneng Group on its acquisition of a 50% stake in InterGen.
Squire Sanders Hammonds advised Cerigo Développement SARL on the provision of a £50m funding package to establish and develop Windberry Energy, and also on the provision of a £50m funding package to establish and develop e-Gen Partners.
Trowers & Hamlins LLP maintains a pre-eminent reputation for Middle East power projects, and acted for the government of Jordan on its second wind IPP at Fujeij. Martin Amison is the principal London contact.
Watson, Farley & Williams LLP has established a leading record for wind matters, and in 2010 it advised a syndicate of lenders on the largest financing ever closed in the offshore renewable energy sector: the €1.289bn financing of the second and third phases of Thornton Bank.
Wragge & Co LLP is valued for its ‘good knowledge of the industry, availability and interesting ideas’, and is garnering increasingly high-profile deals, such as advising Covanta on a £500m industrial eco-park. Derek Goodban’s team is also strong in nuclear.
Bevan Brittan LLP’s waste practice continues to flourish. It advised Covanta on its bid for a fuel use procurement contract with North London Waste Authority.
Bircham Dyson Bell LLP is advising National Grid on the planning and property aspects of the Hinckley Point Transmission upgrade. Robbie Owen heads the team.
Bond Pearce LLP’s Luke Gabb is highly regarded for renewables work. Among the firm’s recent highlights, it is acting for East Anglia Offshore on the development of the East Anglia Round 3 Offshore Wind Farm zone.
Boutique firm E&A Law focuses on energy and arbitration matters under energy specialist Ana Stanic. It notably represented a client in an ICC arbitration brought by a US coal supplier.
Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP’s team is led by Roger Sargologo, and is strong on the planning side. It advised Southern Gas Network and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks in 2010.
Greenberg Traurig Maher LLP is an ‘energy specialist’. The group, led by Neil Upton, has come on in leaps and bounds since its establishment in 2010, and is advising Powerfuel Power on the £2.3bn financing and development of a ‘clean coal’ plant.
Hunton & Williams was dealt a blow with the departure of Matthew Williams and John Deacon to Hogan Lovells International LLP in 2011. The firm advised a multinational energy name on potential acquisitions of waste-to-energy plants.
In 2010, Jones Day’s London team was involved in advising Up Energy Holding on a $70m senior debt financing.
K&L Gates focuses on renewables, particularly the solar and biomass sectors. The firm was appointed to advise Land Energy on a combined heat and power facility.
Lawrence Graham LLP broadened its practice beyond its signature AIM work to advise UK tidal energy company Marine Current Turbines on its bid for a lease for the world’s first commercial wave and tidal leasing round.
Martineau’s Birmingham-based team ‘knocks the socks of the competition in terms of value for money’. Andrew Whitehead advised National Grid on the provision of services across the England-France sub-sea interconnector.
Andrew Watson’s team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP was bolstered by the arrival of David Birchall in May 2010, from what is now SNR Denton. Birchall is recommended for his ‘longstanding expertise that results in tailor-made and pragmatic advice’.
McGrigors LLP is applauded for its ‘commercially driven advice’ and ‘sound knowledge of the industry’. AES Wind Generation instructed the firm on its acquisition of Your Energy’s wind portfolio.
Morgan Lewis scored a coup with the arrival of ‘fantastically knowledgeable’ nuclear specialist Susan Quint from BNFL. The firm is assisting EDF Energy with licensing, regulatory and governance matters relating to its nuclear new build programme.
Nabarro LLP provides ‘advice tempered with technical knowledge’, to clients such as UK Power Networks and Barking Power. Tom Bainbridge is well respected for his ‘easy-going manner and high level of understanding’.
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP’s team is building a solid reputation under Alexander Janes, particularly in emerging markets. It acted for Green Power on the development and financing of a wind project on the North Polish coast.
Osborne Clarke is ‘far better value than City firms but with an equivalent level of service and ability’. Western Power Distribution instructed the firm on several matters in 2010.
Reed Smith has a good record for litigation as well as transactional work, and is representing waste-to-energy player AE&E Lentjes UK in several construction and engineering disputes.
TLT LLP’s ‘first-rate renewables team’, led by the ‘superb’ Maria Connolly, won an instruction from TIF Group to advise on solar photovoltaic energy schemes.
Shepherd and Wedderburn has particular experience on the regulatory and renewable sides. The firm won appointments to the panels of SMartwind, Siemens and Bord Gáis Éireann.
Taylor Wessing LLP’s energy team is led by corporate partner Dominic FitzPatrick, but also spans finance, environmental and regulatory. It was appointed to advise on the decommissioning of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in Lithuania.
Trinity International LLP specialises in project finance in emerging markets, and is noted for its ‘exceptionally creative’ and ‘commercial’ partners. The firm advised African Development Bank on the financing of the Lake Turkana wind farm project.