Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP‘s team is renowned for its impressive expertise in ’cross-border joint ventures, project financing, and government engagement’, regularly advising clients across oil and gas, mining, LNG, and renewable energy, amongst other sectors. Japanese trading houses, energy companies and corporations regularly rely on the team for outbound matters in APAC and globally. Andrew Blacoe leads the practice and is a go-to for Japanese multinationals. Lachlan Clancy is a key client contact, particularly for companies investing in LNG and renewables.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team has a strong reputation across the Asia-Pacific region for advising on complex, large-scale energy developments.'
- 'Their strength lies in combining legal and regulatory depth with practical, commercially focused advice.'
- 'The team understands the dynamics of cross-border joint ventures, project financing, and government engagement, which is essential for clients operating in energy sectors.'
- 'Their ability to work seamlessly across jurisdictions and disciplines makes them a go-to adviser for both early-stage structuring and late-stage execution.’
- ‘Andrew Blacoe brings exceptional clarity and commercial judgement to every transaction. He is a trusted adviser who navigates complexity with ease, delivers clear solutions, and builds strong, collaborative relationships with clients. His calm leadership and responsiveness make him stand out, particularly on cross-border and multi-stakeholder transactions.'
- ‘They understand Japanese clients' corporate culture. Their proposal is almost always competitive.’
Key clients
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- First Gen Corporation
- INPEX South Iraq, Ltd
- ITOCHU Corporation
- Sumitomo Metal Mining Co., Ltd
- Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
- Sumitomo Corporation
- BW LNG Limited
Work highlights
Advising Mitsubishi Corporation on its re-acquisition of interests in the Malaysia LNG Tiga project and Malaysia LNG Dua project in Sarawak, Malaysia, from PETRONAS.
Advising Mitsui & Co., Ltd on the equity offtake and carbon capture and storage activities for the Blue Point Ammonia Project in the U.S., which is the largest blue ammonia production project in the world.
Advised INPEX South Iraq, Ltd in relation to its divestment of 20% participating interest in the Block 10 oil field in Eridu, Iraq, to Lukoil Overseas Iraq Exploration B.V., who is the operator of the field.
Lawyers
Leading partners: Gaiben
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners: Gaiben
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Lachlan Clancy
Practice head
Andrew Blacoe
Other key lawyers
Lachlan Clancy