Chris Kilburn > Watson Farley & Williams LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s oil & gas team is ‘exceptionally knowledgable in the sector’ and is known for possessing ‘a wide breadth of experience across the industry, not only in respect of pure upstream oil and gas work but also in areas such as LNG, hydrogen and other more green sources of energy’. The group focuses on large multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes, including advising on the acquisition and disposal of oil and gas assets, project development, investments and financing. Corporate partner Chris Kilburn leads the team and is extremely well-versed on transactions in Europe and Africa. Heike Trischmann is a key name for LNG to power projects.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP has ‘an excellent team that manages to achieve the rare combination of excellent technical legal skills, strong market knowledge and contacts, and a personable and human approach‘. The firm’s long-standing commitment to the commodities sector, combined with experience in complex finance structures, make it a prominent adviser on commodity and upstream finance transactions. Lead partner Joe Levin and senior associate Jordan Joannides assisted FBN Bank (UK) Ltd with commodities mandates with a total value of $185m, including trade finance and working capital facilities. Levin also advised BW Energy Holdings on a new $300m reserve-based lending facility to finance the development of the Dussafu offshore oilfield in Gabon. Head of the mining and commodities group Jan Mellmann and head of the global oil and gas practice Chris Kilburn��are closely involved in the financing of major projects across the globe.

Possessing a wealth of experience in a number of core sectors – including energy, transport and infrastructure – the team at Watson Farley & Williams LLP is praised for its ‘high quality service, deep industrial knowledge and very pleasant cooperation’ particularly in relation to maritime matters. The team is able to draw on a wide network of offices outside of the UK and frequently works with business owners, private equity investors and funds on matters spanning the entire acquisition process. Practice head Chris Kilburn is noted for his expertise in energy M&A. The ‘highly committed’ Jan Mellmann specialises in M&A and corporate finance work. Described as ‘brilliant, both technically and commercially,’ Mark Tooke focuses on maritime, energy and infrastructure-driven work, regularly advising on acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures, venture capital and commercial agreements. Daniel Saunders is praised by one client as ‘one of the best shipping and commercial legal experts’  in the market. Transport sector focused Christina Howard is also noted.

Operating as a subset of the wider corporate and tax team, Watson Farley & Williams LLP notably works with management teams and sponsors on deals across the energy, infrastructure, and transport sectors, and particularly in emerging markets. Corporate head Chris Kilburn is especially noted for his capabilities in energy sector deals, acting for a range of investors and portfolio companies, both domestically and internationally. Andy Savage‘s experience encompasses renewables and social infrastructure, while Daniel Saunders is rated by clients for his expertise in shipping and offshore oil and gas. Mark Tooke is also recommended for his knowledge of maritime matters.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP is active across the infrastructure and energy space. The team shows notable expertise in acquisitions, bid processes and debt financing regarding transport related mandates, as well as battery storage projects and renewable energy developments. Ryan Ayrton and Andy Savage co-head the practice, with the former highlighted for his range of acquisition financing work, and the latter for his strong transactional work involving social infrastructure. Christina Howard  handles a strong body of international mandates, advising investors and funds across a range of asset types, while Chris Kilburn, who heads the corporate department, specialises in energy work.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP advises a varied mix of listed companies, investment banks, NOMADs and brokers on a diverse range of transactions, including IPOs, secondary placings, reverse takeovers and private placements. Practice head Chris Kilburn is a key name for M&A, corporate finance and commercial transactions in the energy, mining and transport sectors. ‘Technically excellent and also commercially focused‘, corporate finance and M&A specialist Jan Mellmann is another key contact.