Projects and energy: International firms and joint ventures

White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association)

Client Satisfaction

Paul Harrison leads the projects and energy team at White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association), advising on projects across the sector, from oil, gas and petrochemical projects to renewable energy projects and the energy transition. The team’s full-spectrum approach means that it is well positioned to advise on both inbound projects and overseas investment and counts lenders and sponsors among its clients; the group advises ECAs, commercial banks and private equity providers, as well as financial institutions, developers and Japanese utilities and trading companies.Counsel Michael Richter focuses on construction and financing in the energy sector. As well as conventional power projects, such as LNG and nuclear matters, the practice is active in key developing areas, including hydrogen projects, sustainable aviation fuel and carbon capture. The addition of Masahiro Tanabe from Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise) in February 2023 has further strengthened the team’s expertise in battery storage projects, another recent growth area for the practice. Julien Bocobza joined the team from Norton Rose Fulbright in June 2022, bringing international experience in renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Alexander Woody left the firm in June 2022, and since publication, Kristian Bradshaw also departed.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘What makes W&C JPN (Tokyo Office) practice unique is that you have both ENG and JPN Law highly trained, specialised and devoted team of lawyers. Also, they always put the clients front and center above other considerations and ensure at all costs that for every matter, relevant resources are applied and available at all times, and if needed, kept on standby. Also, the team comes from a diverse set of origins, so it's a good blend when it comes to an end-product (legal service output). In terms of innovations, the networking sessions they set-up (i.e., energy sector market players) regularly are a brilliant idea.’
‘The main partner that works for my organisation is Paul Harrison. In terms of key outstanding qualities, the main would be his synthetic nature and his custom to address immediately the potential major risks and red flags of any particular document, contract, discussion etc. so the client is always well aware of the different angles to be considered before moving ahead with any major decision. On a subsequent basis, he may move for assessment of more detailed and secondary matters. Also, he is extremely talented in devising the least-resistance solutions based on his understanding and background of the parties involved and the precedent applicable transactions. This saves a lot of resources later on as potential solution avenues are put forward for consideration.’

Key clients

Électricité de France (EDF)
EIG Global Energy Partners
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC)
JERA
Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO)
Kyushu Electric Power Co.
NEXI
Saudi Aramco
Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC)
Canadian Solar

Work highlights

Advised Kyushu Electric Power Co., Korea Electric Power Corporation and EDF on the financing of a $3.8bn high-voltage, direct current subsea transmission system in the United Arab Emirates, alongside local sponsors.
Advised EIG on its $2.15bn acquisition, through its MidOcean Energy platform, of the interests held by Tokyo Gas in four Australian LNG Projects.
Advising EIG in its joint $11.9bn bid with Brookfield Asset Management, through its MidOcean Energy platform, for Origin Energy Limited by Scheme of Arrangement.