Most Highly Regarded Firms: Project Finance 2010

• June 2010

• Project Finance

Our extensive research uncovers 412 leading project finance practitioners across 67 countries. Several firms demonstrate a depth of international expertise that has been invaluable when competing for work while the investment climate has been poor.

 Global leaders

Allen & Overy LLP features prominently in our research. A formidable 24 lawyers from 10 countries are included in this edition, with the UAE having particularly high levels of talent. The “superb” Dubai-based Bimal Desai is the most highly nominated individual in the region and one of the top lawyers in our research overall. He is a trusted figure acting on some of the region’s largest transactions, including the Qalhat LNG and the Oman Polypropylene projects. Four additional names join him on the list including Ian Ingram-Johnson, Christian Saunders, Duncan Macnab and Abu Dhabi’s Nicholas Crossin. In London, Anne Baldock receives high praise. Bart Meesters is the most highly nominated individual in our research for the Netherlands. The firm is well represented in Asia, with two listings apiece in Hong Kong and Singapore; Simon Black in Shanghai is very highly regarded. New York-based Robert Kartheiser and David Slade are “brilliant”. Allen & Overy has further listings in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, further demonstrating the depth and breadth of expertise which earns it consistent acclaim worldwide.

White & Case LLP has an impressive 19 lawyers listed in 10 jurisdictions. In New York, the “outstanding” Arthur Scavone drew international praise and features in our table of the world’s most highly nominated lawyers. He is joined by five additional New York names, including “first-tier” Troy Alexander. The firm has three further listings in Washington DC. Edward Neaher is described by a client as “one of the finest lawyers I have ever worked with”. Victor DeSantis is another “fantastic” lawyer and George Crozer is “great”. Across the Atlantic, London’s Philip Stopford is an “excellent name” and is joined by Peter Finlay and Jason Kerr. White & Case also fares well in Mexico with Ariel Ramos and Juan Manuel González highly commended. The firm has a strong presence in Asia. Xiaoming Li is very highly recommended in China and Brian Miller is the firm’s most highly nominated practitioner for Singapore. With further listings in Turkey, Poland and France, White & Case stands out for its global expertise once again this year.

Clifford Chance LLP features very prominently in the edition, with 16 inclusions in 10 countries. Dubai is where the firm makes its strongest showing, thanks to Malcolm Turner, Richard Parris, Peter Avery and Robin Abraham. In London, Jeremy Connick is “one of the most recognisable names”. Chris Wyman and Russell Wells received a plethora of international recommendations and Gavin Teague is also highly praised by clients. In Shanghai, Stephen Harder is very well respected. Huw Jenkins is “brilliant” in Hong Kong. In Singapore, Ting Ting Tan and Andrew Brereton underline the firm’s success in Asia. The Paris and Washington offices have three experts listed apiece. In Paris, Anthony Giustini is hailed by contemporaries as a “first-class” lawyer. Nicholas Wong and Nikolaï Eatwell are both “extremely effective”. In Washington, DC, Catherine McCarthy is renowned for her outstanding international financial expertise.

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP sees 16 nominees listed, with 10 in the US (and half of those in New York). At the very “highest echelon”, Edwin Feo is the most highly nominated individual in our research overall. A widely recognised “dean of the renewables bar”, Feo received a wealth of praise for his project finance pedigree. Three further names appear in California, including the “excellent” Allan Marks. Five are listed from the firm’s New York office where Jonathan Green is “one of the top names”, Richard Brach is “immensely knowledgeable” and Daniel Bartfeld is a “star”. The firm is also strong in London, represented in our list by Cathy Marsh.

Latham & Watkins LLP is another strong performer with 12 lawyers listed in six countries. New York-based Jonathan Rod and David Gordon are “outstanding” and Jeffrey Greenberg is “an absolute star”. In London, William Voge is one of the most highly nominated individuals worldwide and described by many as a name that simply has to be on the list. Dennis Nordstrom is “absolutely excellent” and Craig Nethercott a “trusted figure”. Nicholas Collins in Abu Dhabi and Mohammed Al-Sheikh in Riyadh add to the firm’s strength in the Middle East This presence is bolstered by further listings in Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP has made real progress in this area following the recent addition of the “absolutely brilliant”, internationally acclaimed Alan Rae Smith, who features as one the highest nominated individuals in our research overall. Fellow London-based partner Nicholas Bliss receives a wealth of recognition from his contemporaries. Clients praise his “outstanding experience and excellent knowledge” of their business. Elsewhere in Europe, Iñaki Gabilondo is praised. In New York, Kent Rowey is “brilliant”.

First class firms

Linklaters LLP provides 12 lawyers in five jurisdictions for our list, with its best showing in London. A five-strong contingent make the list there, including the “wonderful” Clive Ransom, Stuart Salt and Alan Black. In the UAE, the “brilliant” Jonathan Inman is one of the most highly recommended names in the region. Paul Lignières in Paris is praised by clients for his “effective” work and in Thailand Wilailuk Okanurak is a strong performer.

Shearman & Sterling LLP is prominent on the London list with four partners included. Nicholas Buckworth is “first-class” for project finance, receiving a deal of international praise from clients and contemporaries alike. Kenneth MacRitchie has built an outstanding reputation, earning him a “great client loyalty”. David Platt has amassed a tremendous international expertise, having spent several years working in the Middle East and Hong Kong. Tim Pick is a “great lawyer”. The firm sees further listings in Abu Dhabi where Philip Dundas is a trusted figure. Cynthia Urda Kassis is “fantastic” in New York.

At Ashurst LLP, London-based John Inglis and Mark Elsey are very highly recommended. In Tokyo, John McClenahan and Matthias Schemuth are “excellent” and in Abu Dhabi David Wadham is “absolutely terrific”.

Gide Loyrette Nouel AARPI performs well in our research again this year with John Crothers and Francois Krotoff two highly regarded names in Paris. In Morocco Hicham Naciri received international praise. At Garrigues, José Guardo is highly praised in Spain for his project finance expertise and is joined by fellow partners Rafael González-Gallarza Granizo and Marcos Botella. Three names feature from Uría Menéndez where Carlos de Cárdenas Smith is “a star”. In Portugal, Campos Ferreira, Sá Carneiro e Associados performs excellently with three lawyers listed. Name partner Francisco Sá Carneiro receives high praise. At Morais Leitão Galvão Teles Soares da Silva & Associados, Luis Branco and Filipe Lowndes Marques are highly recommended. In Norway, Oslo-based Berit Stokke and Hans Haugstad at Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS are two renowned experts.

Leading Lights

In Canada, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s “top notch” Michael Allen is very highly recommended. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s Brian Kelsall is “top of the field” and is joined on the list by the “excellent” Ella Plotkin and Xeno Martis, who is active in power financings. Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP’s Sébastien Vilder is another highly praised individual, as is Michael McIntosh. At Davis LLP, Doug Buchanan QC is “a pleasure to work with” and “a very pragmatic lawyer that clients love”. Mark Bain from Torys LLP is “very effective”.

Chadbourne & Parke LLP features prominently with nine names included. Making it onto our breakdown of the top 10 individuals, Chaim Wachsberger is a “very important name” for project finance in New York where the firm has four listings. Todd Alexander is very strong in renewables. Washington-based Peter Fitzgerald and Kenneth Hansen are highly recommended and in Los Angeles, Edward Zaelke and Adam Umanoff are “experts in wind energy”.

With eight lawyers in the following pages, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP maintains its prominence in our research again this year. In Washington, Martin Klepper is a standout name. Hailed by many as an “excellent, first-tier” project finance lawyer, Klepper is one the most highly nominated individuals in our research overall. Erica Ward is another “fantastic” lawyer at the firm, receiving a wealth of praise. Harold Moore is a “giant”, bringing an enviable depth and breadth of expertise. London-based Douglas Nordlinger is another “outstanding” name.

International Expertise

Brazil’s Souza Cescon Barrieu & Flesch Advogados has four lawyers listed. Ronald Herscovici is “excellent”. At Pinheiro Neto Advogados Julio Cesar Bueno stands out, as does the “very, very good” Ricardo Vieira Coelho. Machado Meyer Sendacz e Opice Advogados performs well with three listings. Jose Ribeiro do Prado Jr is particularly well regarded. At Veirano Advogados, Pedro Aguiar de Freitas is a recognised industry force.

In Chile Philippi Yrarrazaval Pulido & Brunner and Carey y Cía Abogados earn four listings apiece. At Claro y Cia, José María Eyzaguirre B is very highly recommended as is fellow Santiago-based parter Jorge Martín.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques has the largest contingent in our Australian research: five lawyers feature, with Peter Doyle a leading name. At Allens Arthur Robinson three appear, including “superstar” Peter Cornwell who features in our top ten of the highest nominated individuals worldwide. Praised as a “king” of project finance, Cornwell is described by many as the “best in the market”. At Blake Dawson, Joanne Evans is excellent as is Brendan Quinn at Freehills.

In Indonesia, two names feature from Ali Budiardjo Nugroho Reksodiputro: Emir Nurmansyah is the highest-nominated individual from the region with widespread recognition across the world’s leading financial markets and Theodoor Bakker is “superb”. At Mochtar Karuwin Komar, Frank Morgan is highly praised.

At Nishimura & Asahi in Japan, Hiroshi Maeda is “excellent” and at Morrison & Foerster LLP/Ito & Mitomi, Dale Caldwell is highly recognised.

Norton Rose LLP’s global expertise is particularly evident in East Asia. In Singapore, two names from the firm stand out with Nick Merritt and Jeff Smith very highly recommended, and in Hong Kong Peter Haslam receives high praise. In Bahrain, Dominic Harvey receives a wealth of international recognition as does Jeffrey Barratt in London.

At Baker Botts LLP, Nigel Thompson is a “highly effective” project finance lawyer and in Saudi Arabia, Hatem Abbas Ghazzawi & Co’s Ali Abendi is “very good”. Riyadh-based Al-Jadaan & Partners Law Firm has two inclusions, with Mohammed Al-Jadaan particularly recognised.

In India, Amarchand & Mangaldas & Suresh A Shroff & Co has three listings. Name partner Cyril Shroff is “one of the world’s best” as is fellow partner Shardul Shroff.

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