Helen Emmerson > Gowling WLG > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile
Gowling WLG Offices

TWO SNOWHILL
BIRMINGHAM
B4 6WR
England
- Firm Profile
- Go to...
Helen Emmerson

Work Department
Energy; Real Estate; Asset Management; Retail
Position
Partner
Career
“I identify issues early and propose resolutions that strike an equitable balance between the various stakeholders, avoiding unnecessary and costly negotiation.”
Helen Emmerson is a partner specialising in helping her clients develop, fund and invest in energy generation facilities, crossing a range of technologies. Her focus is on the acquisition of the necessary land rights and grid connection requirements, as swiftly and efficiently as possible, whilst always being mindful of the funding and investment perspective which sits alongside these developments, together with the regulatory challenges of the sector.
Helen has worked with many of her clients to develop streamlined precedents and working methodologies, providing a robust platform for taking their business forwards.
In addition, Helen supports some of our key corporate occupier and retail clients, on the acquisition and disposal of freehold and leasehold properties. Helen’s understanding of the key business drivers for both landlords and tenants, together with her experience in a wide range of asset management work, means she understands how to maximise the value of real estate holdings. Helen also has considerable experience in managing a number of fast paced acquisition and disposal programmes.
Helen is known for identifying issues early and proposes resolutions that strike an equitable balance between the various stakeholders, avoiding unnecessary and costly negotiation. She is known for her sensible approach and client friendly manner.
Clients
Energy
Lightsource Renewable Energy, Partnerships for Renewables, Octopus Investments, Primrose Solar, Infinis and UK Power Networks.
Retail and Corporate Occupier
Nike, B & Q and Midcounties Co-op. Qinetiq and GKN.
Experience
Advising on the property aspects of E.ON’s proposed Isle of Grain development of a 1200MW power station, together with the related gas and heat pipe easements and leases to allow the import of gas and the supply of heat and chill to the Grain LNG facility. This was a major piece of infrastructure development, requiring numerous complex legal arrangements to be put in place to ensure the successful operation of the project.
Working with a major Energy-from-Waste developer on the negotiation of documentation to secure land rights to permit the development of a commercial waste to energy project, including a heat supply network.
Supporting Partnerships for Renewables on the creation and negotiation of standard property documentation for the creation of a large portfolio of onshore wind projects on public sector land, together with the subsequent negotiation of that documentation across a wide range of sites, together with the associated title due diligence.
Advising on and negotiating options and leases for the development of a number of UK onshore renewable energy plants, including the drafting and negotiation of revenue sharing arrangements based on income from energy (and associated benefits).
Helping an offshore windfarm developer with ownership issues for land surrounding the foreshore, together with Crown Estate owned portions of land arising from the proposed connection arrangements for the project.
Advising a major landfill gas operator on leases of compounds and landfill gas collection networks across its extensive portfolio, including revenue sharing arrangements linked to electricity generation and/or injection of gas into the national grid
Acting on the acquisition of flagship retail premises for Nike to secure key presence for the London 2012 Olympics, together with dealing with the related branding and marketing issues presented by the unique challenge of the Olympics.
Advising on numerous leasehold acquisitions, at speed, for a major retai…
Languages
English
Lawyer Rankings
West Midlands > Real estate > Commercial property: Birmingham
(Leading partners)‘An exemplar of high quality legal advice’, Gowling WLG assists clients in the energy, investment and residential sectors. It is well-positioned to assist clients with national and global matters, having offices across the globe. Christopher Hunt spearheads the practice and is well-versed in office acquisitions and disposals as well as retail expansion programmes. John Burns
is a key name at the practice. Focusing on residential development support, Richard Bate advises regional and national housebuilders. Helen Emmerson strengthens the energy and utility real estate offering at the firm. Matthew Walker advises developers, investors and occupiers. Arminder Dhillon supports the energy and infrastructure project work.
London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity and nuclear)
Regularly collaborating with the Dubai team on international work, Gowling WLG provides comprehensive advisory services in the power sector. The team assists a wide spectrum of energy market participants with various electricity and nuclear power-related transactions, including electricity generation and grid-stability projects, regulatory advice, and nuclear power station decommissioning. Key team members include Gareth Baker, who specialises in M&A and project development; Helen Emmerson, who focuses on energy generation facilities, grid connection requirements, and regulatory advice; John Cooper, a public and regulatory law specialist; Jonathan Brufal, who primarily handles international project development from the London and Dubai offices; UK electricity expert Gus Wood and project finance specialist Nath Curtis. Other key contacts include James Stanier, who focuses on complex commercial and regulatory matters in the electricity sector, and Paul Green, a construction and engineering specialist with a focus on major infrastructure and energy generation projects.
London > Projects, energy and natural resources > Renewables
Gowling WLG provides comprehensive advice across a range of renewable energy projects, including the development, financing, and acquisition of battery energy storage systems, as well as M&A and financing for green hydrogen, solar, and wind energy projects. Key members of the team include Gareth Baker, who specialises in renewable energy M&A, private equity, and project development; Gus Wood, recognised for handling some of the UK’s most significant PPAs in the renewables sector; Nath Curtis, an expert in project finance who routinely advises clients on the funding and refinancing of major renewable energy assets; and Paul Green, who handles a range of renewable energy infrastructure projects including onshore and offshore wind, solar, biomass, and energy from waste. Helen Emmerson and Jonathan Brufal are also recommended.
London > Real estate > Commercial property: corporate occupiers
At Gowling WLG, the corporate occupiers team collaborates with its environmental, planning, and construction practices to advise on acquisitions, developments and leases of headquarters building, and real estate investment. Operating across the retail and life sciences sectors, Chris Hunt leads the team alongside Helen Emmerson, who advises on various real estate matters relating to renewables and alternative energy projects. Emma Pioli covers asset management matters, and frequently handles property portfolios, while Felicity Lindsay advises both landlords and tenants on large-scale office developments and lettings. Dan Gwilliam assists institutional investors with high profile acquisitions and disposals, whereas Kay Desai is well-versed in coordinating corporate spaces such as offices and warehouses.
Lawyer Rankings
- Commercial property: Birmingham West Midlands > Real estate
- Leading partners West Midlands > Real estate > Commercial property: Birmingham
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Finance > Banking and finance
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Birmingham
- Real estate > Commercial property: Birmingham
- Real estate > Construction
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Birmingham
- Employment > Employment
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy, project finance and PFI
- Employment > Health and safety
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property
- Real estate > Environment
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax
- Employment > Pensions
- Real estate > Property litigation
- Transport