Projects & Energy | Europe

Clifford Chance has an outstanding multi-jurisdictional practice with an esteemed network across Europe. Strong local teams spread across continental Europe handle contentious and non-contentious energy matters, advising on the full spectrum of transactional and regulatory matters for clients in this sector. The law firm offers specialist expertise in the financing of infrastructure and energy-related projects across Africa. It brings together teams in the UK, France, Italy and Germany to advise on the lender side of major European gas pipeline project finance mandates. The law firm also assists major utilities companies with the divestment of natural gas assets across Europe.

CMS has a strong energy practice with experience in transactional, regulatory and contentious mandates spanning the oil, gas, power and renewables sectors. The law firm has a significant footprint in the CEE region, with additional strength in the UK, Portuguese, French and German. The lawyers handle cross-border corporate acquisitions for EU-headquartered oil and gas companies and various transactions of renewable energy assets across the continent. CMS offers wide-ranging expertise in regulatory issues relating to complex transactions and development projects. It acts for project developers, international banks and government bodies on infrastructure projects with multi-jurisdictional elements.

Linklaters is well placed to advise on international energy sector M&A transactions owing to the presence of highly regarded corporate and finance teams in key jurisdictions. The firm has key teams in the UK, Germany, France, Portugal and Spain and is well placed to advise on transactional and regulatory topics in Europe and Africa. Linklaters is particularly adept at dealing with complex financing mandates related to renewables and sizeable nuclear energy projects, including LNG and offshore wind projects. The lawyers have experience in high-profile, multi-jurisdictional corporate mergers on behalf of European oil and gas exploration and production companies.

The firm has highly-regarded offices in the UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands, with further presence in Germany and across the CEE region. The law firm demonstrates expertise in matters relating to oil and gas, renewables and thermal and nuclear power. It is reputed for its regulatory expertise and also for handling contentious elements of energy mandates, including commercial and investment arbitrations. Particularly noted for its expertise in high-profile project finance deals, the lawyers regularly act for leading financial institutions, public entities and corporate clients. The team also advises on commercial contracts and public law aspects of major European pipeline projects that are coordinated with local counsel in numerous jurisdictions. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Herbert Smith Freehills advises on outbound energy and infrastructure projects from highly reputed practices in London, Madrid and Paris into non-European jurisdictions. It has a particularly strong reputation for work in Africa, handling solar mandates. The law firm handles a wide range of matters including M&A and project finance concerning investments in the power and oil and gas sector. The practice is complemented by a strong arbitration practice, often handling proceedings relating to ECT. Herbert Smith is also active on infrastructure matters on behalf of construction companies, governments, public bodies and financial institutions.

Norton Rose Fulbright has an excellent international reputation for handling complex project finance mandates. The law firm often coordinates key finance mandates from London, with further notable teams hailing from its well-established German, French and Italian offices. It boasts specialist experience in working with clients from the renewables sector, while also dealing with companies active in the oil and gas and electricity sectors. Norton Rose is further adept at handling large-scale infrastructure projects, including mandates relating to water and sewage systems. The firm's expertise extends to advising on matters in African jurisdictions.

White & Case has a strong European practice, boasting noteworthy offices in the UK, Germany, France and across the CEE region. The firm draws on impressive banking and capital markets capabilities spread across multiple offices, attracting roles in high-end corporate finance and project finance mandates. The lawyers act for lenders, sponsors and government bodies on the financing and development of infrastructure or hospital PPP projects across Europe. White & Case frequently assists with the financing and development of mining projects, power plants and renewable energy sources in Africa and the Middle East.

Dentons has a significant projects and energy presence in CEE alongside a well-known UK team. The law firm covers a wide range of cross-border oil and gas, power and renewable energy transactions for European-headquartered energy companies. It provides expertise in the financing, construction and development of solar and wind farms, as well as climate change matters. Dentons also has experience in the defence of competition investigations into major energy multinationals and in handling merger control procedures. The offering is complemented by a notable arbitration team handling international energy matters.

Hogan Lovells has a notable offering in the European projects and energy space, with key offices in the UK and Germany. The law firm advises on the structuring of new PPP projects or the negotiation of secondary market PPP transactions. It also assists with gas supply agreements between energy companies in varying jurisdictions, spanning from Europe to Asia. The firm additionally handles regulatory compliance matters. Hogan Lovells is additionally active in M&A transactions, finance matters or tender bids in which the underlying assets are based either within Europe or in Africa.

Watson Farley & Williams is noted for its strength in renewable energy projects, including photovoltaic projects and solar and wind farms. The lawyers advise on the full range of matters, including financing and transactions, as well as regulatory aspects. Clients include private equity firms, industrial clients and financial institutions. The law firm has a solid offering across numerous branches in Europe, including the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France and Greece.

DLA Piper has considerable experience handling energy transactions across Europe and further afield, with particularly notable offices in Spain, Italy, Germany and the UK. It advises on construction and regulatory issues relating to the development of natural gas pipelines, and is particularly active in transactions involving the Nordics. The law firm assists with tenders, energy regulatory matters, negotiations of power purchase agreements and the financing of wind farm projects. DLA Piper frequently coordinates cross-border corporate transactions in the renewables sector and involving a number of African jurisdictions.