CMS`s Infrastructure group works for sponsors, lenders, public sector organizations, contractors and service providers throughout the lifecycle of infrastructure and PPP projects. While the company continues to experience growth in renewable and digital energy, it also has a strong track record in the traditional energy sector, where it serves a strong list of large international customers. Paul Smith leads the team alongside James Snape, Smith having experience in traditional project finance mandates and innovative hybrid financing, and Snape overseeing national and international projects in the fields of waste, bioenergy and renewable energy. Jonathan Dames is another key name for financing in the energy sector, while Philip Duffield oversees PFI and PPP projects focused on clean energy and energy transition. Kate Duffield works for lenders, sponsors and borrowers on transportation, energy and telecommunications projects. “We wanted to work with our long-time trusted advisor, Vincent Seah. He advised us on several of our projects in Asia and it was a natural choice to come back to him as he can provide a service. He is extremely knowledgeable and he is a very skilled negotiator and adept at finding good business solutions to the most difficult problems, which is his main strength. Of course, he has a capable team behind him who is always accessible at any time of the day. Latham & Watkins` market-leading infrastructure practice serves infrastructure developers, sponsor consortia, funds, institutional investors, public companies and lenders on a range of large-scale, high-quality cross-border projects.
The practice focuses on transaction structuring and financing, regulatory matters and M&A transactions. The team is led by experienced infrastructure professionals Conrad Andersen and Brendan Moylan, with Andersen recommended for infrastructure and energy acquisitions and financing across all asset classes and Moylan for private equity infrastructure works. Seonaid Todisco manages core and hybrid infrastructure mandates, while Steve Curtis is recommended for structured debt financing. John Guccione deals with matters in the energy sector and Rebecca Crowley, a lawyer, is a name worth mentioning for financing cross-border acquisitions. Norton Rose Fulbright “is always at the forefront of new renewable energy developments” and represents both lenders and limited partners in a wide range of renewable energy projects. Proof of the company`s presence in innovative developments is its recent work in the field of offshore wind; The group advised Vineyard Wind on the financing of its first offshore wind farm, the first commercial wind farm to reach financial close in the United States. Keith Martin and Benjamin Koenigsberg lead the Washington DC and New York teams, respectively. Other key partners include: Todd Alexander in New York, who has experience managing projects in the United States, Latin America, Asia and Africa; and Noam Ayali of DC, the main contact for geothermal work. At the associate level, the bilingual Deanne Barrow at DC stands out for the diversity of her skills. In addition to his experience in project finance, Barrow has a background in chemical engineering and is a qualified patent attorney. Rob Eberhardt retired in February 2022. Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has extensive project and investment experience in the energy and infrastructure sectors globally and acts as lead counsel on some of the largest projects in the UK.
The firm`s large, diverse and multidisciplinary team draws on a number of the firm`s practice groups, including telecommunications, regulatory, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, finance and antitrust, to provide holistic service to its leading clients. Gavin Williams leads the practice with extensive experience in cross-border mergers and acquisitions and works for corporates, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds and GP-managed funds. Sarah Pollock is recommended for acquisitions and project developments, with a focus on the energy and renewable energy sectors, while David Wyles specializes in representing investors and lenders in financing infrastructure M&A transactions. Matthew Job is a well-known name in project finance, focusing on electricity and infrastructure. In 2021, Aaron White moved into the Brisbane office, while Patrick Mitchell retired. The opening of CMS`s Abu Dhabi office in July 2020 significantly strengthened the company`s presence in the project and infrastructure sectors. David Moore, managing partner of the office, focuses on the development and operation of transportation infrastructure, with a particular focus on rail. Amir Kordvani is another important name and has extensive experience advising governments, sponsors, developers and entrepreneurs.
King & Spalding LLP is recognized by clients for its “sound economic judgment and billing flexibility” in advising renewable energy companies and project developers on battery, solar, wind and biofuel storage projects in the United States. The Company`s expertise in domestic projects is demonstrated by its recent work as RE Crimson LLC`s representative in syndicated debt financing for the construction of two battery energy storage systems in California; Tristan Pelham Webb, who splits his time between New York and Denver, and Jonathan Melmed of New York led the deal. Brandon Dalling of New York, who leads the national group with Houston duo Scott Greer and Stuart Zisman, who “works with clients to solve tough problems” regarding leverage, financing conventional energy projects and acquisitions, LNG-to-power generation and alternative energy. González Calvillo continues to be a market leader and has extensive experience representing financial institutions, government agencies, Mexican and foreign development banks, multilateral organizations, suppliers, contractors and promoters related to project development and financing transactions in various sectors, including energy, oil and gas, water, roads, airports, ports, railways and telecommunications. The key figures in a practice group of nearly 40 people are: Enrique González Calvillo, a renowned partner, who has experience in project finance, particularly in representing oil, gas and energy companies. Rodrigo Rojas Robleda, who advises on project development and financing of hydrocarbon companies, government-supported PPP programs and power generation projects. Oscar Moreno Silva regularly represents clients on the regulatory and contractual components necessary for project development, as well as on public procurement issues; Jorge Cervantes Trejo specializes in mergers and acquisitions, project finance, private equity, energy and infrastructure. Gonzalo Vargas Ateca`s extensive project and infrastructure practice includes oil and gas, power generation, petrochemicals, joint ventures, procurement, public tendering and regulatory affairs. Hernando Becerra de Cima completes the senior team and advises developers and banks on infrastructure financing and accompanies developers throughout the development process of energy projects. Diana Pineda Esteban oversees private and public tenders and infrastructure projects, both in terms of structuring (including regulatory analysis) and development, particularly with regard to storage terminals, pipelines, ports and other marine facilities; Antonio de Lisi`s project development experience ranges from power generation and gas projects to marine terminals, FPSOs, offshore platforms and jack-ups to refining facilities – he also has regulatory expertise.
Bracewell LLP has a long-standing presence in the Texas market and therefore has extensive experience in financing traditional energy projects, including power generation facilities, upstream and midstream oil and gas, refineries and petrochemical plants. Beyond traditional energy, the department deals with key issues in the field of renewable energy. as a recent example; Martha Kammoun of New York and Alan Rafte of Houston advised Equinor on their Empire Wind I and II and Beacon Wind offshore wind projects.