Gareth Baker > Gowling WLG > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Gowling WLG‘s offering is co-led by a multitude of energy specialists, being ‘results-driven’, corporate-focused Gareth Baker, regulatory experts John Cooper and Birmingham-based Gus Wood, real estate specialist Helen Emmerson, also in Birmingham, Nath Curtis, who has a particular focus on project finance and Jonathan Brufal, who works predominantly on international project development matters from the London and Dubai offices. The team ably handles transactional energy work in these areas, in key M&A and financing matters of high-value, in particular, frequently acting in collaboration with the Dubai team on international work. ‘Leader in the field’ James Stanier is another name to note.

Working across its various national offices, Gowling WLG works with a mix of sponsors, investors, and growth capital funds on a number of lower mid-market transactions. Practice chair Ian Piggin‘s recent engagements include sponsor-side acquisitions and cross-border deals for VC funds. Piggin heads up the healthcare and life sciences team alongside Neil Hendron, whose capabilities also extend to the financial services sector. Global energy co-chair Gareth Baker handles a host of domestic and international matters, acting for renewable dedicated investment funds, among other clients. Listed funds specialist Kris Rogers is also recommended.

Gowling WLG has a thriving projects and infrastructure practice in London that is ‘technically sound, pragmatic and risk aware not risk averse, professional and culturally sensitive‘. Head of international projects Jonathan Brufal is ‘not only willing, but keen, to get into the detail on projects‘. He worked with project finance specialists Andrew Newbery and Imran Mufti to support Saudi construction company Alfanar Company in the development of five Construction Villages procured by the NEOM Company, each with accommodation for up to 10,000 individuals who will ultimately oversee and deliver a new urban area in Tabuk Province. Corporate energy partner Gareth Baker  ‘provides pragmatic and sound legal advice, taking time to understand the commercials‘, and impact finance partner Alasdair McKenzie ‘has a clear interest and passion for emerging markets work and his advice is sound and pragmatic‘. Together they advised InfraCo Africa on a $15m loan to to UK-registered next generation utility company Bboxx for its Africa-focused off-grid solar business. Head of natural resources Charles Bond and standout partner for international arbitration Gordon Bell are also active in emerging markets.

Noted for its significant international footprint, the corporate practice at Gowling WLG fields a cross-disciplinary team of ‘responsive’ lawyers that sit across the life sciences, real estate, healthcare, energy, and advanced engineering sectors. The team is led by and co-head of the firm’s India group, Sunil Kakkad, and the head of the London M&A and private equity team Gareth Baker, a specialist in corporate energy and infrastructure transactions who is described as ‘results driven, pragmatic and a shrewd negotiator.’ The ‘excellent’ Neil Hendron is praised for his ‘practical and pragmatic’ advice in high-value private company M&A transactions – particularly in the healthcare and life sciences industries. European PE head Ian Piggin regularly advises biotech companies, life sciences investors and mid-market private equity firms. Other key lawyers include Hugh Maule and Jeffrey Elway.

Gowling WLG advises on water infrastructure projects in the UK and abroad, acting for water companies, local governments and water regulators, handling financing, development and transactional matters. The practice also provides litigation support, representing clients engaged in international litigation. Leading the water practice is Andrew Newbery, who specialises in transactional matters in the water sector, including project financing, while John Cooper heads the firm’s public law team, advising on regulatory issues affecting water projects. Gareth Baker assists investors seeking to acquire infrastructure assets and Jonathan Brufal, who splits time between the firm’s Dubai and London offices, heads the firm’s international projects practice, with particular experience advising on developments in Africa and the Middle East.

The team at Gowling WLG are able to demonstrate roles on big-ticket deals within the infrastructure space as well as advising on mandates including private equity investments in hydrogen companies and developments. Gareth Baker leverages his experience as one of the founding members of Gowling’s hydrogen group to advise on this work, as well as showing expertise across the board of renewables and sustainable infrastructure work. Dominic Richardson is also recommended for his transactional expertise.