Michael Pearson > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Paul Carrington heads the team at Clifford Chance LLP, which frequently works with rail infrastructure bodies, rail sector financiers, manufacturers and rail operators. Carrington specialises in financing, leasing and sales – he has extensive experience in structured finance and corporate restructuring work in the rail sector. The group often works with its first-rate construction and infrastructure teams on various complicated rail projects and construction agreements. It is also known for its skill at handling complex franchising matters and rolling stock procurements. Michael Pearson regularly works on a wide array of major rail projects, both in the UK and internationally. Ranbir Hunjan is another key figure who specialises in asset financing, leasing and banking in the transport sector. Senior associate Dominic Watts is an important member of the rail industry group, who works with operators, ROSCOs, manufacturers and funders on a regular basis.

A ‘very strong team that covers almost any issue’, Clifford Chance LLP continues to be a dominant force in the infrastructure market, with a strong bench of advisers that have extensive experience in multi-source financings, cross-border projects, and operational and development issues on large-scale projects. The group is active on some of the largest infrastructure projects in the UK, including overseeing Network Rail’s telecommunications rollout. An impressive stream of international mandates has seen the team advise bank lenders on African projects such as major road constructions in Kenya and maritime infrastructure developments in Nigeria, while a number of financial institutions regularly turn to the firm for projects in the Middle East. Group head Michael Pearson is ‘very well positioned in the market’ and has handled a number of significant PPP projects in Europe, with mandates including transport, healthcare and military projects. Clare Burgess‘ practice is largely concentrated on project financing and portfolio financings, while Praveen Jagadish   – who was promoted to partner last year – focuses on the financing and development of greenfield projects, regularly within the renewables and nuclear energy sectors. Both Alain Dodds and Caireen McCluskey have had impressive runs supporting a broad range of the group’s matters, garnering strong experience in PPP and PFI projects. The firm hired oil & gas specialist Craig Nethercott from Latham & Watkins in autumn 2023.