Carson McDowell acts for a broad range of energy clients, including utilities, electricity network owners and operators, and conventional and renewable generators. The group works as part of the firm’s full service offering, and offers comprehensive coverage of real estate, corporate, banking, and regulatory matters. Senior partner Neasa Quigley is team lead, and specialises in M&A and equity funding work. Core team members include planning expert Gary McGhee, real estate specialist Emma Cooper, and Dawson McConkey, a key name for on-shore wind farm projects. Senior associate Le-ann Campbell specialises in mergers and acquisitions, and is experienced in the renewable energy sector.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are professional, punctual and have the same attention to detail be it a small or large transaction. The team are very professional, always at the end of a phone and never miss a deadline.’
‘The renewable team is headed by Neasa Quigley who is just outstanding in her field.’
‘The team has a broad range of skills and knowledge and are efficient and helpful at all times. They have excellent contacts within their industry.’
‘They are extremely knowledgeable, professional and helpful. They are accessible and available when needed, with impressive response times. Neasa Quigley requires specific mention as she provides an excellent, professional service at all times.’
‘The team at Carson McDowell are dynamic and responsive with a genuine collaborative and tailored approach to the required scope or task. Having access to a wide breadth of expertise within one firm provides confidence and connection as required.’
‘Neasa Quigley and Le-Ann Campbell bring vast experience in what is a highly technical and challenging sector. They understand both the policy and commercial landscape and provide honest and clear advice on all elements of deal structure.’
‘Commercial, pragmatic, approachable, collaborative.’
‘Neasa Quigley - commercial, highly skilled, approachable.’
Key clients
- Firmus Energy
- Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company t/a Translink
- Newry Energy Storage Limited
- Firmus Energy
- Evermore Energy
- Renewable Energy Systems
- Islandmagee Energy Limited (part of Harland &Wolff Group Holdings PLC)
- SONI
- NIE
- Glenmore Generation
Work highlights
- Advising the Firmus Energy business on the Energy Price Guarantee Scheme for domestic customers introduced by BEIS that Firmus was obliged to join in response to the cost of energy crisis.
- Advising Islandmagee Storage Limited in relation to the judicial review proceedings launched against its recently approved Marine Licence, Discharge Consent and Abstraction Licence obtained to construct the Gas Storage Project. Planning Permission has previously been successfully obtained.
- Advising RES, a longstanding client in respect of the disposal of a consented eleven wind-turbine in County Londonderry to ERG SPA. Subsequent to sale, RES have been retained by the buyer to develop out the 47MW project, with construction due to begin in 2024.
Lawyers
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Carson McDowell
Gerard is a member of Carson McDowell’s corporate and projects teams. A partner in the firm’s corporate finance department, Gerard has experience of acting for some of Northern Ireland’s most commercially sophisticated companies in relation to corporate sales and acquisitions, as well as advising on a wide range of commercial arrangements and ventures. As an integral member of the projects unit, Gerard has extensive experience of advising clients in relation to a number of schemes and projects, including PPP, PFI, DBFO and DBFOM projects and refinancing projects, having advised funders, public bodies and the private sector in relation to a number of projects which have successfully been negotiated through to financial close and beyond. In addition, Gerard has advised a number of clients in relation to non-PFI projects including windfarm projects and energy from waste developments.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Neasa Quigley