Jan Mellmann > Watson Farley & Williams LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s global mining practice, which is praised for its ‘extremely strong technical and sector specific knowledge’, advises high-end clients across various jurisdictions on the full life-span of mining projects including M&A, equity capital markets, debt and project finance, and dispute resolution. Jan Mellmann heads the practice and is an expert in corporate finance and M&A work.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP has ‘an excellent team that manages to achieve the rare combination of excellent technical legal skills, strong market knowledge and contacts, and a personable and human approach‘. The firm’s long-standing commitment to the commodities sector, combined with experience in complex finance structures, make it a prominent adviser on commodity and upstream finance transactions. Lead partner Joe Levin and senior associate Jordan Joannides assisted FBN Bank (UK) Ltd with commodities mandates with a total value of $185m, including trade finance and working capital facilities. Levin also advised BW Energy Holdings on a new $300m reserve-based lending facility to finance the development of the Dussafu offshore oilfield in Gabon. Head of the mining and commodities group Jan Mellmann and head of the global oil and gas practice Chris Kilburn are closely involved in the financing of major projects across the globe.

Possessing a wealth of experience in a number of core sectors – including energy, transport and infrastructure – the team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP is praised for its ‘high quality service, deep industrial knowledge and very pleasant cooperation’ particularly in relation to maritime matters. The team is able to draw on a wide network of offices outside of the UK and frequently works with business owners, private equity investors and funds on matters spanning the entire acquisition process. Practice head Chris Kilburn is noted for his expertise in energy M&A. The ‘highly committed’ Jan Mellmann specialises in M&A and corporate finance work. Described as ‘brilliant, both technically and commercially,’ Mark Tooke focuses on maritime, energy and infrastructure-driven work, regularly advising on acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, venture capital and commercial agreements. Daniel Saunders is praised by one client as ‘one of the best shipping and commercial legal experts’  in the market. Transport sector focused Christina Howard is also noted.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP advises a varied mix of listed companies, investment banks, NOMADs and brokers on a diverse range of transactions, including IPOs, secondary placings, reverse takeovers and private placements. Practice head Chris Kilburn is a key name for M&A, corporate finance and commercial transactions in the energy, mining and transport sectors. ‘Technically excellent and also commercially focused‘, corporate finance and M&A specialist Jan Mellmann is another key contact.