The ‘exceptional’ projects and energy team at Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo) advises clients across both inbound and outbound projects. Practice co-head Yusuke Abe focuses on inbound investments, bringing a particular expertise in renewables and infrastructure projects, while outbound matters are primarily handled by ‘responsive and experienced’ co-head Hans Menski, who specialises in the development and financing of power and energy, infrastructure and oil and gas projects. The group noted the continued push into the offshore wind space, as well as access to critical minerals becoming a growing trend within the sector. The practice sports a full-service development and finance offering, from advice on corporate, commercial and regulatory matters to arbitration and dispute resolution: Natsuko Sugihara and Michihiro Nishi have a particular focus on domestic and cross-border M&A matters and private equity transactions. Bolstered by the integrated regional and global projects team, the group advises Japanese and foreign investors and sponsors, as well as international financial institutions, commercial banks and government entities. The group also has a strong team of counsel, including Masafumi Shikakura and Suguru Kimura. Akihiko Takamatsu left the firm in March 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Exceptional team, great knowledge of the renewable industry.’
‘Individuals are efficient with high-quality responses. Response times are not delayed, and time is also taken to understand matters better.'
‘Good and precise service.’
‘Hans Menski's team is very experienced, responsive, knowledgeable, and professional. Despite all the challenges and difficulties, Hans' team is able to give quick response and give sensible suggestions.'
'For very complicated matters, the team is able to promptly give analysis of the market practice, the potential risks and available mitigants as well as the consequences, so as to help lenders make a reasonable judgement and decision. ’
‘Hans Menski as team leader is responsive and experienced. He is on top of everything for this project and able to explain and elaborate his rationale in a very concise and logical way. He is actively involved in this project from end to end.’
'The Clifford Chance Projects team is one of the best on the English law side of the equation. They have strong relationships with the banks and other lender-side counsel.'
'Yusuke Abe is a very smart and very strong finance lawyer, and provides very practical advice. We find that he is able to provide a realistic picture of the status of negotiations. When he is running the transaction, he organizes the team well and makes sure that the milestones are met. He gets to the heart of the matter very quickly and does not waste time.'
Key clients
- Vena Energy
- Japan Bank for International Cooperation
- Actis
- Nippon Export and Investment Insurance
- The Export-Import Bank of Korea
- Asian Development Bank
- Mitsui & Co., Ltd.
- Mitsubishi Corporation
- Marubeni Corporation
Work highlights
- Advised Actis on the acquisition and refinancing of 100% of the interests in the project company developing, owning and operating a 220MW dual-fuel power plant in Bangladesh.
- Advised a syndicate of 8 international commercial banks in relation to the $2.17bn Atradius covered facility for San Miguel Corporation to finance the land development works to be undertaken by Boskalis for the Phase 1 development of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan province, the Philippines.
- Advised Vena Energy on the issuance of a green project bond to global investment group CDPQ.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Yusuke Abe, Hans Menski