Clifford Chance LLP

Trusted by multiple premier lenders and sponsors for marquee projects around the world, Clifford Chance LLP is one of the strongest energy and infrastructure financing practices in the market. Clare Burgess, who is now both co-head of the Worldwide Projects group and co-head of the Energy sector, is a highly experienced finance practitioner who handles a range of international projects, spanning transport, social infrastructure, and renewables. Michael Pearson draws on his deep PFI/PPP knowledge to act on large-scale projects across EMEA, while Praveen Jagadish, also noted for his PFI/PPP expertise, advises in relation to novel funding models. Edward Bretherton’s practice focuses on procurement and construction related issues, and Bryony Theaker, who was promoted to partner in May 2024, works with lenders and sponsors involved in energy transition and digital infrastructure deals. Caireen McCluskey is sought out by lenders, procuring authorities and developers engaging with landmark projects across the wider EMEA region. Craig Nethercott - noted for his international projects work - joined from Latham & Watkins in September 2023.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The firm has a range of skills with the ability to bring in specialist resources where needed. There was good collaboration with not only the client team but also other bidders, and the firm had an excellent grasp of complex issues across the programme and worked efficiently to create suitable solutions to them.'
‘Michael Pearson had an excellent grasp of the complex project and associated issues. He has the ability to tackle the most strategic issues whilst maintaining tight grasp on important details.'
Bryony Theaker has an excellent grasp of issues across complex projects and possesses the ability to break down problems in to more manageable 'chunks' and rapidly implement solutions.’
‘The level of detail and care taken to customise advice, and the responsiveness and availability always of all team members is greatly appreciated.’
‘Michael Pearson and Caireen McCluskey are extremely intelligent, experienced, communicative and reliable. The entire team works incredibly hard to meet excessively tight deadlines without compromising on quality of work.’

Key clients

NNB Generation Company (SZC) Limited
Network Rail
Iridium / Acciona consortium
Gridserve
Airport International Group
Qiddiya Investment Company

Work highlights

Advised the lenders and CESCE on the €1bn project financing for the construction, design, maintenance and transfer of the Tel Aviv Metropolitan "Purple Line" light railway transit system in Israel, developed by a consortium of CAF and Shapir.
Advising on the development and financing of the new Sizewell C project.
Advising the prospective lenders to the Iridium and Acciona Consortium on its bid to design, build, finance and operate the £1.75bn pathfinder Haweswater Aqueduct Resilience Programme.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.