The global energy group at Allen & Overy LLP is well placed to handle multijurisdictional oil and gas projects by virtue of its large international network. With a focus on transactional work, the practice has broad experience of high-profile M&A, financings and refinancings, and has the capacity to advise on the full life cycle of projects, from consenting and planning through to construction, operation and sale. The team is jointly led by Judith Kim in the UAE and London’s Troy Edwards, who acts for governments, lenders, developers and contractors on privately and publicly financed energy projects. Andrew Castle handles both upstream and downstream oil and gas projects, and John Geraghty is recommended for cross-border M&A, joint ventures and project development.

Ashurst offers clients ’really strong individuals with great knowledge of the legal issues but also the wider sector’. The practice advises clients on upstream, midstream and downstream projects, with a focus on M&A, financing, commercial matters, project development and dispute resolution. Michael Burns heads the team and is recommended for corporate work in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Senior consultant Huw Thomas has over 32 years’ experience in the oil and gas industry and is a name to note for reserve-based lending and financing work, while Quentin Robinson specialises in emerging markets projects, with a focus on Africa. Helen Jones joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in October 2021.

The US-headquartered Baker Botts (UK) LLP is well known in the market for handling very large cross-border M&A deals, financings, disputes and project development work in the oil and gas sector. Historically, the practice has had strong ties with the Russian market although it is now winding down operations in the country; it continues to be very active in emerging markets and has recently handled high-value deals in Africa and the Middle East. Mark Rowley heads the firm’s London and Middle East offices and is well versed in transactions pertaining to upstream developments, cross-border pipelines, and LNG projects. Rob Butler co-chairs the LNG, hydrogen and CCUS practice and is experienced in upstream and midstream deals; senior associate Alex Kerr is also recommended. Shashank Krishna joined from McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP in April 2021 while Hamish McArdle retired in early 2022.

Clifford Chance LLP offers clients ‘broad and deep knowledge and experience that works in a complementary and constructive way’. It acts for oil majors, major independents and financial institutions on corporate, financing and dispute resolution matters internationally. The team is headed by Graham Phillips, Alex Panayides and Sydney’s Nadia Kalic; Phillips is a name to note for M&A, joint ventures and private equity transactions in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors; and Panayides is recommended for international litigation and arbitration. Russell Wells handles commercial, corporate and finance matters related to the oil and gas, and power sectors and has particular experience of transactions in emerging markets. David Lewis left for White & Case LLP in December 2021 and Massimo Amoruso joined as director from Freshfields in January 2022.

The energy and climate change team at CMS handles both contentious and non-contentious matters and is particularly strong on transactional work and disputes; it is well placed to handle cross-border mandates by virtue of its large international network. Key clients include European and US energy supermajors, which it advises on M&A, and international litigation and arbitration. The team is jointly led senior partner and energy law specialist Penelope Warne and Jonathan Woolf, who is recommended for cross-border oil and gas, and energy M&A. Andrew Shaw advises on clients on upstream, midstream and downstream projects, as well as energy transition matters, such as solar, wind, CCUS and hydrogen projects. Matthew Culver splits his time between Dubai and London and has considerable experience in the Middle Eastern market.

Sitting as part of the firm’s wider global energy team, the London-based practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP continues to advise large international energy companies and governments on high-profile corporate and finance matters and disputes. The firm is strong on energy transition mandates and has recently been advising on a number of hydrogen projects; it also advises oil and gas clients on compliance, sanctions, construction and tax matters, among other areas. Practice head Lewis McDonald is recommended for projects, acquisitions and disposals and handles both oil and gas, and renewables projects. James Baily is a veteran litigator who specialises in energy disputes; Paula Hodges is a name to note for international arbitration; and Reza Dadbakhsh is recommended for LNG and gas transactions.

Latham & Watkins offers clients ‘excellent knowledge of the energy industry, of the litigation landscape, and of emerging trends worldwide’. Its multidisciplinary team advises on M&A, leveraged buy-outs, project finance, litigation and sanctions, among other areas. Leveraging its international network for support, the oil and gas team handles cross-border mandates with ease under the leadership of Simon Tysoe, who is well regarded for corporate transactions. Craig Nethercott is a key name for financing work and stands out for his Islamic finance expertise; he is active in a broad range of geographies. Evelyne Girio, who was recently promoted to counsel, is dual qualified in France, and England and Wales, and is well versed in global transactions. Matthew Brown left for Milbank.

White & Case LLP ensures ‘that the client understands not only the legal but the commercial aspects of a transaction’. Fielding a team of practitioners who offer in-depth knowledge of the global energy industry and the regulatory environment, the team is well placed to handle both transactional matters and disputes. Philip Stopford heads the practice and has over 40 years’ experience in high-profile oil and gas deals. David Baker is a name for upstream transactions, while Jason Kerr handles international project finance mandates, and has particular experience of emerging markets. Katie Hicks joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP in April 2021 and George Kazakov joined from an in-house role at Morgan Stangley in August 2021; the team was further bolstered by the arrival of David Lewis from Clifford Chance LLP in January 2022. Tom Bartlett left for Latham & Watkins in August 2021. Mark Clarke has now left the firm.

The oil and gas team at Bracewell (UK) LLP is very experienced and active in emerging markets, such as Africa and the Middle East, and also handles projects in the UK and continental Europe. It acts for high-profile international clients on financings, acquisitions and project development. Practice head Jason Fox is an energy finance lawyer with over 35 years’ experience in the industry and a focus on upstream transactions. Adam Blythe advises on deals in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors, and also handles commercial matters. Olivia Caddy is a name to note for debt financing work and Ben James advises on the development, sale, purchase and financing of oil and gas assets. Ronen Lazarovitch joined from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in March 2021.

Dentons has ‘a demonstrable wealth of experience in the sector, which is impressive in nature and reassuring to those with whom they are dealing’. The team is active in a range of areas relating to the oil and gas industry, including development, regulatory, commercial, corporate, disputes and financing work. Humphrey Douglas heads the team and has considerable experience of international transactions, while Charles Wood is experienced in the design of new commercial and regulatory frameworks for market reform and large energy projects both domestically and globally. Colm Ó hUiginn joined from Shearman & Sterling LLP in March 2022. Alistair Black left for Norton Rose Fulbright in September 2021 and Christopher Thomson left for Squire Patton Boggs in March 2022.

The energy and natural resources sector team at DLA Piper offers clients ‘wide experience in oil and gas issues and significant commercial experience that adds value for clients’. Leaning on its global network for support, the UK team is well placed to service international clients on cross-border matters and acts for large multinational companies, as well as governments. The team, which handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, is headed by Natasha Luther-Jones and James Carter, who focuses on high-profile and high-value disputes; Nacim Bounouara is a name to note for project development and financing work; and Philip Chong is a key name for international arbitration. The practice was recently bolstered by the arrival of Iain Elder from Shearman & Sterling LLP in April 2022, and Stuart Murdoch, who joined in Edinburgh from Burness Paull LLP, in May 2021.

Hogan Lovells International LLP fields a large oil and gas team which operates from 40 offices and multiple jurisdictions worldwide. The practice has a strong track record in emerging markets and advises on corporate matters, disputes and provides preventative advice in relation to corruption. Ben Sulaiman heads the team alongside Sarah Shaw; Sulaiman acts for large multinational oil and gas companies on transactional and regulatory matters; Shaw is a veteran M&A practitioner experienced in upstream, midstream and downstream projects. Ben Hornan is a key name for disputes and has considerable experience in the Russian and CIS markets, while associate Amy Cleaves is recommended for transactional and financing work.

The energy and infrastructure team at Linklaters LLP is well known in the market for handling high-value, cross-border M&A and financing matters. Other areas of focus include joint ventures and commercial contracts and the team draws on strength from other practice areas to offer clients an integrated approach to oil and gas deals. Daniel Tyrer heads the team and is experienced in financing and private equity transactions across EMEA and the CIS. Mark Russell handles corporate work pertaining to upstream and LNG, and former practice co-head John Pickett retired.

Milbank is well known in the market for its considerable experience of high-profile and high-value financing deals in the oil and gas, renewables and power sectors. It advises lenders and sponsors and works closely with its New York office to advise on New York and English law. The team is jointly led by Matthew Hagopian and John Dewar, with Hagopian experienced in the development and financing of major international cross-border projects, and Dewar recommended for transactional matters EMEA, Asia and emerging markets. Special counsel Munib Hussain is well versed in international energy and infrastructure projects; Manzer Ijaz retired. 

The energy, infrastructure and natural resources team at Norton Rose Fulbright is well placed to handle cross-border work by virtue of its large international network and the firm has a strong record in both developed and emerging markets. It has recently been handling a number of LNG mandates, advising on the full life cycle of projects, from inception, to financing, to operational and commercial matters. Rob Marsh heads the team which includes Holly Stebbing, a key name for litigation and disputes. Alistair Black joined from Dentons in November 2021 and brings development and finance expertise and experience in a range of energy projects. Nick Prowse left for an in-house role at Luton Rising and Neil Miller retired.

The oil and gas team at Pinsent Masons LLP ‘works collaboratively and very flexibly with clients and is very responsive and client focussed’. Its broad offering encompasses expertise in licensing and regulatory matters, decommissioning, disputes, real estate, M&A, financing and capital markets, among other areas. Practice head Rosalie Chadwick splits her time between London and Glasgow and is a name to note for domestic and cross-border corporate finance transactions, while Paul McGoldrick is recommended for joint ventures, project development, and acquisitions and disposals. Akshai Fofaria heads the firm’s Africa group, is trilingual and dual-English-French qualified, and handles a range of corporate matters. Bruce McLeod joined in Aberdeen from Burness Paull LLP in August 2021.

Shearman & Sterling LLP leverages its global network to assist with cross-border deals and provide a 24/7 service to clients. Key areas of focus for the practice include project finance and development, leveraged finance and M&A. The team has recently undergone a number of changes; Ben Shorten relocated from Singapore in June 2021 and now heads the team; Rahul Chatterji joined from Milbank and Matthew Skinner joined from Jones Day. Sanja Udovicic is recommended for high-profile energy, natural resource and infrastructure transactions and has considerable experience in emerging markets, such as Africa and the Middle East. Julia Derrick joined from Ashurst in July 2021, bringing with her expertise in oil and gas-related corporate and commercial transactions. Former practice head Iain Elder left for DLA Piper, and Tim Sheddick and Anthony Lepere left for White & Case LLP, and Corrs Chambers Westgarth respectively; Nicholas Buckworth retired.

The infrastructure, energy and natural resources team at Slaughter and May offers clients ‘unmatched excellence in M&A matters and in the strategic elements of negotiating a deal’. The practice has a strong focus on corporate M&A matters and acts for large integrated energy groups, oil and gas majors, smaller listed independents, services companies and financial institutions on upstream, midstream, and downstream projects. Hywel Davies heads the team and is well versed in both public and private M&A and joint ventures in the oil and gas sector. Steven Galbraith is a name to note for international projects and project finance matters.

Vinson & Elkins RLLP has a strong track record in high-value and high-profile corporate and financing work in the oil and gas sector and is active in a range of jurisdictions including emerging markets. It advises on the full life cycle of projects, from inception and structuring through to financial close and operation of the project. The group is jointly led by Alex Msimang and Nabil Khodadad, with Msimang recommended for cross-border energy-related M&A, and Khodadad bringing broad financing experience to the team, with particular experience of projects in the CIS region. Andrew Nealon is a name for project development work, including EPC matters, and Lauren Davies was promoted at the beginning of 2022. At the more junior end of the team, Nadine Amr is a senior associate who focuses on M&A, while counsel Alistair Wishart is recommended for construction and development projects.

Akin handles corporate M&A in the energy sector and fields a strong disputes practice which advises clients on large international litigation and arbitration. The team is led by Shaun Lascelles, Justin Williams and Simon Rootsey; Lascelles is recommended for cross-border M&A and private equity transactions; Rootsey is experienced in deals on the African continent; and Williams advises clients on complex international disputes. Hamish Lal is another name to note for disputes, particularly those relating to the construction sector.  Julian Nichol left for Watson Farley & Williams LLP in August 2021.

The energy, mining and infrastructure team at Baker McKenzie advises clients on contentious and non-contentious matters, including project development, construction, project finance, M&A, and disputes. The team is jointly led by Richard Blunt, Neil Donoghue, Mike Webster, Steve Abraham and Andy Moody. Blunt focuses on M&A, joint ventures and private equity matters in Europe, Africa, the CIS and the Middle East. Susie Davies is recommended for corporate work, regulatory matters and reorganisations. Andrew Hedges joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in November 2021.

Clyde & Co has a broad energy group which advises on upstream, midstream and downstream mandates, offering clients expertise in M&A, commercial matters, financings, capital markets work, disputes and decommissioning issues. On the contentious side, it handles large international litigation and arbitration for multinational companies and government clients and has considerable experience in emerging markets. David Bennet heads the team and is a name to note for oil and gas disputes, while Michael Wachtel has over 20 years’ experience in corporate and commercial work in the sector. David Leckie is recommended for disputes, including international arbitration; Stephen Jurgenson left for an in-house role at Savannah Energy.

Fieldfisher offers clients ‘in-depth oil and gas experience, particularly in the UK North Sea and in Central Asia’. It handles both transactional work and disputes, with a broad geographic focus that encompasses experience in the UK, Europe, Africa, the CIS and Latin America. The team, which is led by Dominic Gurney-Champion, Paul Stockley and Munich’s Daniel Marhewka, advises clients on M&A, equity capital markets, financing and commodity transactions, as well as litigation and arbitration. The practice saw four recent departures; Lis Blunsdon left for White & Case; Mark Nash left for Hogan Lovells; Hugo Lidbetter departed for Osborne Clarke; and Matthew Williams went to Addleshaw Goddard.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher acts for major oil companies, state-owned enterprises and private equity houses on the full life cycle of oil and gas, and LNG projects. It is particularly strong on contentious matters and has recently been advising on some high-profile and high-value international arbitrations. Anna Howell heads the team and is recommended for transactions in emerging markets, while senior associate Mitasha Chandok is experienced in cross-border M&A. The team was bolstered in October 2021 with the arrival of three partners from Vinson & Elkins RLLP in the shape of Federico Fruhbeck, Robert Dixon and Alice Brogi, and further strengthened with the arrival of Hugo Hernández-Mancha from Linklaters LLP two months later.

Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP  is well known in the market for handling high-profile and high-value transactions and disputes. It advises on upstream, midstream and downstream projects for oilfield operators, contractors, suppliers and insurers. Practice head Glenn Kangisser advises on the full life cycle of projects, from the design and construction phase through to operations and maintenance, and William Cecil is a key name for disputes. Conrad Purcell and Martin Pugsley recently joined from Bird & Bird LLP, and DWF respectively, while Myles Mantle left for Mayer Brown International LLP and Rob Patterson and associate Phoebe Anderson also left the firm.

King & Spalding LLP is ‘highly responsive and showcases exceptional industry knowledge’. The London team sits as part of a wider global team which caters to large multinational clients on a range of transactional and disputes work. In April 2022, Richard Nelson and Kelly Malone relocated from the Singapore office and Nina Howell joined from Bracewell (UK) LLP. Nelson and Howell now head the team, with Nelson recommended for upstream, midstream and LNG matters, and Howell advising on a range of energy-related corporate transactions internationally. Martin Hunt is recommended for M&A, and joint ventures, and is qualified in England and Wales, New York and Texas, and Nikhil Markanday is recommended for corporate, finance and investments work.

Mayer Brown International LLP is ‘capable of handling every issue facing private and public companies’ and services clients on a range of transactional and contentious matters. On the non-contentious side, the team advises clients on commercial, regulatory, tax, environmental and corporate issues and on the disputes side, it is recommended for international litigation and arbitration. Bob Palmer co-heads the team and is a name to note for M&A in the upstream and midstream sectors, while Rob Hamill, who jointly leads the team, handles corporate finance, M&A, and joint ventures.

Simmons & Simmons fields ‘a friendly and capable team’ which is ‘able to draw on a wealth of knowledge and experience’. Under the leadership of Iain Duncan, the team continues to advise on the acquisition, development, financing and disposal of a range of oil and gas projects. Adam Cooper is a name to note for innovative financing work and counts banks and private equity funds among his clientele, while Patrick Wallace is recommended for joint ventures and M&A. Marc Fèvre joined from Baker McKenzie in May 2021.

Stephenson Harwood is well known in the market for its strength in contentious matters, such as disputes, litigation and arbitration, but the practice also handles transactional work, including large financing work for large multinational clients. The practice is jointly led by Rubin Weston, Simon Moore, Tony Concagh, Stuart Beadnall, Max Lemanski and Ian Mace and was recently strengthened by the arrival of Jameel Tarmohamed and Philip Prowse from HFW in November 2021.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP has ‘a number of partners with diverse experience across the different elements of the oil and gas sector and different countries’ legal and regulatory systems’. It is well versed in large multi-jurisdictional transactions and disputes, and acts for banks, funds, utilities, oil majors and energy companies. Chris Kilburn leads the global oil and gas practice and is experienced in handling deals in Africa, Latin America and South and Southeast Asia. Heike Trischmann is a key name for commercial matters and has recently been advising on a number of LNG to power projects. Julian Nichol joined from Akin in September 2021 and Ryan Ayrton joined from Linklaters LLP in January 2022.

The oil and gas team at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner focuses on M&A, and transactional matters and fields a team which includes former in-house. As well as corporate work, the team advises on financing and disputes matters in the upstream and downstream sectors. Adam Dann and George Burn head the team, and senior associate Helen Miller is a key practitioner, who is dual-qualified in Australia, and England and Wales. Former practice head John Conlin and Rod Chooramun left the firm, as did senior associate Simon Buchler, who left for an in-house role at Octopus Energy.

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP advises governments, state-owned companies and regulators on corporate M&A, project development and restructuring matters. Marc Hammerson, Ryan Hansen and Tony Edwards head the team; Timi Balogun  left for Squire Patton Boggs and Daniel Lewin joined from an in-house role at MJ Hudson & Co.

The energy team at Ernst & Young LLP has strong experience in the Eastern Mediterranean and in emerging markets and advises clients on cross-border transactions. Charles Morrison leads the team and key practitioner Dimitri Papaefstratiou is recommended for financing work. The team was bolstered in early 2022 with the arrival of Michelle Davies, Rob McNabb and Jean-Pascal Boutin.

HFW acts for oil and gas majors and smaller exploration and production companies on contract drafting and project management issues, with a focus on the offshore market. It is also strong in tangential areas such as the financing of LNG carriers. Alistair Mackie heads the team; Andrew Thomas left for Asafo & Co..

The oil, gas and resources department at K&L Gates LLP intersects with the firm’s construction and infrastructure practices to provide a holistic approach to contentious and non-contentious matters. It advises clients on corporate, finance, development and compliance work in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors. The team is jointly led by Jeremy Farr and Paul Tetlow, with Farr recommended for disputes and board-level advice, and Tetlow a name to note for corporate matters, including public takeovers, private M&A, and joint ventures.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP focuses on financing and transactional work and also has the capacity to handle litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. Bruce Johnston heads the team, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of Seyfi Can Kandemir from White & Case LLP in October 2021; Allison Soilihi was promoted to partner.

‘Simply the pre-eminent litigation firm under English law in the oil and gas sector’, Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP is firmly focused on contentious work and handles some high-value and high-profile international litigation and arbitration work for large multinational companies. Ted Greeno heads the energy disputes practice with decades of experience in the oil and gas sector.

Under the leadership of Prajakt Samant, the London-based energy and natural resources team at Reed Smith LLP sits as part of a wider global team that handles large cross-border M&A, and regulatory matters for high-profile multinational oil and gas clients. James Atkin leads on high-value transactions and project financing mandates and has considerable experience of the Asia-Pacific market.

Norwegian firm Wikborg Rein‘s London offering encompasses expertise in contentious and non-contentious oil and gas matters, including projects work and disputes. Jonathan Goldfarb co-heads the team and has a wealth of experience in LNG transactions, an increasingly important area given the recent invasion of Ukraine. Renaud Barbier-Emery, who jointly leads the team, is recommended for offshore and LNG projects, and is active on a number of cross-border mandates.

Armstrong Teasdale has strong experience in transactional work for companies quoted on the Main Market and AIM market of the London Stock Exchange. Joan Yu  and Peter Kohl  head the team, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of Imran Aslam from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and Nick Heap from Bird & Bird LLP.

The ‘very competent, responsive, knowledgeable and helpful’ Gide Loyrette Nouel LLP has a strong track record in transactional work in Africa and is also known in the market for its disputes expertise. Colin Graham heads the team and is a name to note for corporate and commercial projects work.

Roderick Palmer heads up the oil and gas team at Hill Dickinson LLP and focuses on corporate and commercial work. The firm fields a cross-departmental energy and natural resources group which advises domestic and international clients, including oil supermajors, commodity houses, tanker owners and gas infrastructure providers.

Keystone Law is well regarded for its expertise in regulatory issues pertaining to the energy and natural resources sector. Richard Temple is experienced in oil and gas transactions in Africa, and Stuart Carter is a name to note for commercial contracts, joint venture agreements and transactions.

Locke Lord LLP’s London energy team acts for multinational clients on M&A, capital markets transactions, financing, regulatory and litigation matters, among other areas. The team is led by Kevin Atkins, who is experienced in cross-border upstream acquisitions and divestitures. Matthew Daffurn is a name to note for project finance work in emerging markets.

Memery Crystal (part of RBG Legal Services) handles transactional and advisory work for a range of energy companies and draws on expertise from its corporate, disputes, real estate, construction, technology and employment teams to provide a holistic service to clients. Nick Davis and Michael Dawes head the practice.

Norwegian-headquartered firm Schjodt LLP fields a London team headed by David Gardner, Gervais Green, who joined from Clifford Chance LLP in May 2021, and Stephen Woods, who joined from Norton Rose Fulbright in January 2022. It focuses on financing, projects work and disputes pertaining to offshore drilling, production and oilfield services.