England - London • Projects, energy and natural resources
The power team at Clifford Chance LLP, noted as being ‘a pleasure to work with’, has a strong reputation for its capabilities in the full scope of complex power work, at both domestic and international levels. The team has a particular presence in the African market, which is Jeremy Connick’s area of specialism. Partners include the firm’s global head of renewables and wind power expert James Pay , alongside global co-head of power Nicholas Hughes and global head of nuclear power John Wilkins, who is described as being ‘particularly effective in the energy sector’. A key example of the nature and scale of the team’s workload is its advising AXA IM Alts and Crédit Agricole Assurances on the acquisition of a 50% stake in the 1.3 GW Hornsea Two offshore wind farm in the UK. ’Incredible leader and lawyer’ Clare Burgess heads up the Energy & Infrastructure team in London and has a particular focus on green finance initiatives, namely being work involving green bonds, green loans and current regulatory and legislative initiatives in this area.
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‘There are many qualities that set the team apart from any other, being expertise - each member of the team possesses a strong foundation in their respective area of expertise; team strength - there is a strong team spirit and individuals work seamlessly together; and problem solving - they are incredibly flexible, solutions-oriented and creative.'
'It is always a pleasure to work with the Clifford Chance team.’
‘Clare Burgess is an incredible leader and lawyer - she is extremely knowledgeable of the infra sector and in project financing. She has built a solid team and is always ready to step-in when needed, she is an excellent communicator with a great sense of humour.'
'Leonhard Rudolph is our go-to adviser on anything construction and operations-related. He is great at thinking outside the box and able to deliver valid inputs and different points of view to optimise the project's position.'
'Joseph Woodworth is very experienced within the project financing area. He has been of tremendous help in our dialogue with senior creditors and really understands the borrower/lender dynamics and our needs therein.’
‘An excellent, knowledgeable team.’
‘An ability to keep calm and maintain good relationships with all involved. John Wilkins is particularly effective in the energy sector.’
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Partner James Pay specialises in power, renewables, mining and metals, energy infrastructure transactions, including project and minority stake financings, commercial contracts and M&A and joint venture work. James is head of Clifford Chance's Global Renewables Group and co-head of our Mining and Metals Group.
Leading individuals
Head of London Energy and Infrastructure Group Clare Burgess is experienced in capital markets issuances, private placements and loans, with particular focus on the infrastructure and renewables sectors. Clare has advised on a wide range of infrastructure transactions including project bonds, private placements, corporate bonds and multi-source financings including secured corporate debt transactions (whole business securitisations). She acts for a broad range of market participants, including banks, institutional investors, multi-laterals, sponsors and corporates. She has particular experience advising on complex, credit-enhanced transactions, aggregator/portfolio financings, and restructurings/terminations. Clare advises on the issuance of green bonds, both corporate issuance, and renewables project and portfolio financings.
Partner John Wilkins has a particular focus on the Power and Oil & Gas sectors and is the joint head of the Global Nuclear Group. John has extensive projects development & M&A experience in the energy sector with a focus on power and oil & gas. He has acted on high profile, complex world-scale projects in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia and has a particular focus on nuclear power and the shift into new energies by the oil & gas majors.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
James Pay, Nicholas Hughes, John Wilkins