The projects and infrastructure practice at Gowling WLG ‘has an impeccable understanding and experience of challenges faced when doing banking deals in emerging markets’, and clients praise the team for providing ‘solution-oriented and pragmatic advice’. The bench of partners includes head of international projects Jonathan Brufal; corporate energy specialist Gareth Baker; project finance experts Andrew Newbery and Imran Mufti; head of natural resources Charles Bond; impact finance lawyer Alasdair McKenzie; and standout international arbitration partner Gordon Bell. McKenzie helped to set up the world’s first climate-focused guarantee company to provide $1bn in climate finance for developing countries.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I think it is less the team and more the individuals. Gowling has some really good people, such as Charles Bond and Tim Cox. They are very responsive and supportive. At the same time, I feel they are honest and if the client has a position that is not legally sound, they will tell you that.’
‘Charles Bond is available all the time. He has the ability to provide a 10-minute opinion or a 10-day opinion, depending on what is needed.’
'The firm has an impeccable understanding and experience of challenges faced when doing banking deals in emerging markets. They give solution-oriented and pragmatic advice.'
'Alasdair McKenzie is a brilliant partner - always available for any question or to discuss ideas. He has taken time over the years to build up stellar relationships. Sarina Mann is a strong support and certainly one to watch.'
‘Great project finance team for emerging market energy and infrastructure projects.’
‘Jonathan Brufal is one of our go-to lawyers for complex project development and construction power and utility work in the MEA region. He is an excellent technical lawyer, but is also pragmatic and solutions driven.’
‘Gowling are carving out a name for themselves in the market of working on some innovative and potentially market-transforming transactions such as setting up the world's first climate focused guarantor seeking to enable better access to climate projects in emerging markets to access global capital markets.'
'The team demonstrate the right blend of expertise and pragmatism that emerging markets require to bridge the gap between the expectations of international markets and the local realities on the ground.’
Key clients
- Green Guarantee Company
- Alfanar Company
- Hot Chili
- Energy Storage Africa
- eThekwini Municipality
- Andrada Mining Limited
- Oriole Resources plc
- Bushveld Minerals Ltd
- Orosur Mining Inc
- Zamare Minerals Limited
- Sumitomo Corporation
- GuarantCo Ltd
- InfraCo Africa Investment Limited
- SolarCentury Africa
Work highlights
- Advised on the launch of the world’s first climate-focused guarantee company, the Green Guarantee Company (GGC), which will provide $1 billion in climate finance for developing countries.
- Advising Alfanar Company on the project development and financing for the construction, operations and maintenance of five Residential Communities procured by the NEOM Company.
- Appointed by Hot Chili to advise on the water related aspects of large, multi-user, desalination water supply network in the Huasco valley region of Chile.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jonathan Brufal, Gareth Baker, Imran Mufti, Andrew Newbery, Charles Bond, Alasdair McKenzie, Gordon Bell