England - London • Corporate and commercial
Watson Farley & Williams LLP
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.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team offers high quality service, deep industrial knowledge and very pleasant cooperation. Jan Mellmann and Nerina Erasmus are highly committed to achieve results with a practical and impressive approach.’
‘WFW has a strong corporate team combined with a deep understanding of shipping. They are the go-to law firm for shipping corporate matters. Mark Tooke is brilliant, both technically and commercially, user-friendly and responsive.’
‘The team develops an understanding of the commercial needs of the client and incorporate and document the needs in the most beneficial manner. They are always providing insights on a complicated transaction and finding solutions.’
‘Daniel Saunders stands out for the commercial knowledge of the industry and building a relationship based on trust. He always finds a way out of complicated and complex situations leaving all sides satisfied and more importantly in the most beneficial way for the client.’
‘A genuine full service law firm handling matters across shipping charters, shipbuilding contracts, JV agreements, merger control and competition issues, employment (ship related) and shipping disputes. Mark Tooke is very user friendly, hardworking and pragmatic.’
‘The team has in depth industry knowledge, commercial awareness and good responsiveness. Daniel Saunders is one of the best shipping and commercial legal experts on the field.’
‘The team gives very swift, practical and hands-on legal advice.’
‘High quality advice and strong transaction management is what we experienced with this team. The work was delivered on time and they had a pragmatic approach. Andy Savage is a standout partner. He is strong on corporate law matters and has strong energy and infrastructure and energy sector knowledge making him a go-to person for M&A deals in these areas.’
Key clients
- Transitional Energy Group
- Nala Renewables
- CREDITAS Group
- Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd
- TEPCO Renewable Power
- Green Investment Group / Macquarie Asset Management
- Orsted
- Trafigura
- NYK Shipping
- Beacon Energy plc
- Celsius Resources Limited
- InfraRed Capital Partners
- United Oil & Gas plc
Work highlights
- Advising the Republic of Guinea on the US$15bn Simandou project, a large mining and related rail and port infrastructure project.
- Advising CREDITAS on its acquisition of InterGen Projects (UK) Limited, one the largest independent power producers in the UK and its UK business from InterGen’s parent company.
- Advising Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group on the sale of its 170 MW onshore windfarm portfolio held by Nordic Renewable Power Holding to Vauban Infrastructure Partners. The deal marks Vauban’s first investment in the wind power sector.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Chris Kilburn