Dentons pulls together knowhow across the UK, Ireland, and the Middle East to advise public and private sector clients on a diversity of energy transition mandates. Sector-related regulatory, project development and finance, and M&A mandates are among the practice's key strengths. Charles Wood and Mark Cheney lead the practice; Wood is a longstanding expert in energy and electricity market reform and regulation, while Cheney stands out on renewables, battery storage, and energy transition projects. Mel Mahon is a key contact among project developers and lenders on larg-scalee renewables projects and regulatory mandates. Former practice co-head Lucille De Silva, left the team in November 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- The willingness to work with us as clients in a genuinely collaborative fashion has been greatly appreciated. There is no hint of formal barriers, but rather a team effort to achieve the objectives.
- An excellent strength in depth, connecting teams globally, allowing for experience in niche areas of the sector to be brought to bear on projects.
- High-quality team, strong outputs, and delivers results efficiently. Excellent sector knowledge.
- A pragmatic approach and good communication. Quick turnarounds and strong sector knowledge. Generally, good people to work with.
Key clients
- Actis
- Asian Development Bank
- bp
- Banco Santander
- Carbon Neutral Fuels
- Centrica
- Department for Energy Security and Net Zero
- Department for Transport
- Diamond Transmission
- EDF Renewables
- Fortescue Future Industries
- Glen Earrach Energy Ltd
Work highlights
Advising the sponsors, Masdar and SOCAR Green, as project counsel, on the development and project financing of three renewable energy projects in Azerbaijan for a combined capacity of 1GW and aggregate value of over USD1 billion.
Advised DESNZ on the drafting and development of the AR7 template CfD.
Acting as lenders' counsel on the c. £200m financing of a 360MW portfolio of UK solar PV and BESS co-located assets to be developed by Cero Generation.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Charles Wood; Mark Cheney
Other key lawyers
Claudia Thomas; Graham Richmond; Mel Mahon