Sidley Austin LLP houses a team with a wealth of experience acting for a diverse range of financial sponsors and corporates on domestic and multi-jurisdictional mandates in the digital infrastructure, energy, and utilities sectors. James MacArthur leads the team and handles transactions in the social infrastructure, transportation, and energy sectors. Ed Freeman is well versed in advising on infrastructure acquisitions and disposals. Ben Thompson receives frequent instructions from a variety of banks, lenders, and noteholders across the infrastructure space, while Beatrice McGuire is key to the firm’s energy transition offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The financing team at Sidley is very helpful, knowledgeable, and able to tap their extensive US network of partners.
- Ben Thompson is a great partner to work with, very collaborative, and makes painful processes enjoyable. One of the city's rising stars.
- Strength in the sector and thinking outside the box. Very commercial and helps find solutions to get transactions over the line to keep all parties happy.
- Highly responsive and commercial team. They work seamlessly with the deal team on transactions. Good mix of levels and diversity among the team.
- James MacArthur is excellent and is the first port of call. He is creative and solutions-driven, and he is the lawyer you want on your side of the table. He is hands-on but effectively uses his team. Always available, which is rare for a senior partner. He still rolls up his sleeves on deals.
- Ben Thompson and Chloe Smith formed an excellent partner-associate team that consistently delivered high-quality advice and support throughout the process. They went above and beyond during two particularly challenging late-night signings, handling even last-minute issues efficiently and with a strong commercial approach.
Key clients
- Northleaf Capital
- DigitalBridge
- Gresham House
- Fortress Investment Group
- Class B creditors of Thames Water
- Pictet Alternative Advisors
- Stonepeak Partners
- Macquarie Asset Management
- InfraBridge
- Terra Firma
- iCON Infrastructure
- Apollo
Work highlights
Advised Northleaf Capital Partners, as lead co-investor, alongside Hedera and TINC/Infravest, in Interparking.
Advised a large consortium of lenders to DigitalBridge and Brookfield’s jointly owned holding company on the refinancing of holdco debt in GD Towers.
Represented the Class B creditors in relation to ongoing financing matters in their debt position in respect of Thames Water.
Lawyers
Hall of fame: Corporate M&A
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners: Corporate and M&A
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Ben Thompson
Next Generation Partners: Corporate and M&A
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates: Corporate and M&A
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
James MacArthur
Other key lawyers
Ed Freeman; Ben Thompson; Beatrice McGuire