About

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

The firm’s energy team remains one of the strongest in the UK and globally. The 35-strong team has an average of more than 15 years’ experience, with deep-rooted presence in all parts of the sector, including oil and gas, renewable energy, conventional generation, nuclear new build, and new technologies, including CCUS and hydrogen. This team is supported by around 100 associates in London and forms part of a 700-strong global team across our 24 office global network.  

  • We are recognized as the "go-to-firm" for energy M&A work, advising on some of the largest transactions in the market. We have a strong track record in coordinating multi-jurisdictional transactions.
  • Our financing practice is one of the strongest in the market, particularly in upstream finance (including reserve based lending and prepayment facilities) and in complex upstream and midstream project finance. We are also at the centre of designing new market structures and lead the market on newer technologies, such as battery storage (BESS). 
  • We are the only top-tier firm to have a dedicated contentious energy team which combines an unparalleled knowledge of the range of dispute resolution techniques used by the industry, with a real understanding of the complexities that can arise in all types of projects. 
  • Many of our professionals across tax, real estate, planning and employment are also dedicated to the sector, meaning that the support we can offer to our clients is truly full-service.  

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas - UK-wide

1
Band 1

What the Team is Known For

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer possesses a diverse energy practice with a notable reputation for its work in power and oil and gas, as well as significant expertise in renewables work. The team frequently advises major energy companies, developers, governments and banks on project financings and M&A transactions. It also commands a stellar reputation for energy disputes work, including international arbitrations. Its energy lawyers are also adept at advising on newbuild nuclear, electricity transmission and upstream oil and gas developments. The firm frequently advises on interconnector projects between the UK and other jurisdictions.

Work Highlights

  • Herbert Smith Freehills' oil and gas group acted for BP and other sponsors on the partnership for the the Northern Endurance Partnership Project and the Net Zero Teesside Project, which respectively involve pipeline transportation and a combined-cycle gas turbine.

  • Herbert Smith Freehills' power and renewables team advised a lender, which was a global long-term investor and debt fund, on the financing of the South Clyde waste-to-energy plant, with a matter value of £250 million.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Sarah Pollock
1
Sarah Pollock
1
Band 1

Sarah Pollock's personal practice involves advising on the acquisition, disposal, development and financing of domestic conventional energy developments, with a focus on waste-to-energy and solar projects. She regularly assists significant developer and investor clients in the sector.

Sarah Pollock is outstanding. She stretches what is possible, and she has a superb communication style. Sarah is an absolute leader in her field.

She's a very good general practitioner and a good leader of the advisory team. She's an excellent lead partner for complicated mandates. She gets out everyone's strengths, which is good to see.

Sarah Pollock gave a strong performance. She offers client focus.

Sarah is an excellent relationship partner to have. She's responsive, commercially savvy and straight to the point.

Craig Tevendale
2
Craig Tevendale
2
Band 2
Craig Tevendale heads the firm's UK arbitration practice. He possesses a broad contentious practice and is well versed in international disputes pertaining to price reviews, supply contracts and ownership issues.

He is a high-quality lawyer. Craig is able to rely on vast experience to guide clients in contentious matters.

He is very knowledgeable and commercially aware, and is a great integrator into client teams.

Craig has a stellar reputation for managing and bringing matters to successful resolution. He's very invested in understanding client needs and delivering on them.

Craig Tevendale is excellent.

James Baily
2
James Baily
2
Band 2
James Baily is a solicitor advocate with a wealth of experience representing oil and gas companies in cross-border disputes. He regularly advises on claims relating to both upstream and midstream assets.

James Baily is one of the best lawyers I have ever met.

James is tactically astute. He has a very firm grasp of the subject matter and facts of a dispute. He's very user-friendly.

Steven Dalton
2
Steven Dalton
2
Band 2
Steven Dalton routinely advises oil companies and infrastructure funds on M&A transactions and project developments. He has a strong knowledge of issues facing upstream and midstream projects in Africa and the Middle East.
Silke Goldberg
3
Silke Goldberg
3
Band 3

Silke Goldberg has a strong regulatory practice within the power sector, with deep experience negotiating clients through UK and EU energy regulations. She is particularly well versed in advising on international interconnector projects.

Silke Goldberg helps us to understand the risks. She is really good at explaining legal concepts in a non-legal way.

Thomas Bethel
3
Thomas Bethel
3
Band 3

Thomas Bethel has significant expertise in oil and gas financings. He often represents lenders in loan refinancings and reserve-based lending, with experience across the continents, including Europe, Africa and the Americas. He has also worked on upstream acquisitions.

He's fantastic. He is incredibly intelligent, responsive and commercial. He gets what the issues are and delivers and turns things around in a good timeframe.

Laura Hulett
4
Laura Hulett
4
Band 4
Laura Hulett is noted for her experience in M&A transactions and investments involving upstream oil and gas assets. She possesses considerable cross-border expertise and regularly advises on matters concerning projects in Europe, Africa and Latin America.

She was really patient and contributed to fostering a great atmosphere. The advice was great quality.

She is an absolute joy to work with. She's extremely smart and calm. She is a very pleasant negotiator; she is firm but pleasant with the other side.

Laura is amazing. She is a very, very talented lawyer. She's very commercial, pragmatic and a delight to work with.

Laura Hulett is great to work with. She has a can-do attitude and is proactive.

Lewis McDonald
4
Lewis McDonald
4
Band 4

Lewis McDonald is head of the global energy practice. He has experience across the gamut of energy work in developed and emerging markets, particularly with matters regarding the LNG sector and advising on gas pipeline developments. Other work of his includes new energy and renewables.

Matthew Job
4
Matthew Job
4
Band 4

Matthew Job is an experienced project finance practitioner who co-leads the UK power practice. He has a particular focus on the sectors of energy and infrastructure, with matters such as bank-led project finance and structures involving multilateral agencies. His clients include lenders and sponsors.

For something like our incredibly complex and technical matters, we needed the best, and having someone like Matthew Job on the finance side really made a difference.

He's one of the go-to project finance lawyers in the City. He's a very bright chap who has worked on several big matters, so he brings that extra level of understanding.

Reza Dadbakhsh
4
Reza Dadbakhsh
4
Band 4

Reza Dadbakhsh is frequently called upon by a venerable list of clients to lead transactions within the oil and gas sector. He is experienced in transactions relating to upstream and downstream assets, alongside corporate joint ventures.

Eliza Eaton
U
Eliza Eaton
U
Up and Coming

Eliza Eaton is heartily endorsed by clients for her able handling of corporate transactions within the oil and gas sector.

Eliza Eaton really punches above her weight.

Ranked Lawyers at
Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Energy & Natural Resources: Disputes

Craig Tevendale
2
Craig Tevendale
2
Band 2
James Baily
2
James Baily
2
Band 2
Energy & Natural Resources: Oil & Gas

Steven Dalton
2
Steven Dalton
2
Band 2
Thomas Bethel
3
Thomas Bethel
3
Band 3
Laura Hulett
4
Laura Hulett
4
Band 4
Lewis McDonald
4
Lewis McDonald
4
Band 4
Reza Dadbakhsh
4
Reza Dadbakhsh
4
Band 4
Eliza Eaton
U
Eliza Eaton
U
Up and Coming
Energy & Natural Resources: Power, Renewables & Alternative Energy

Sarah Pollock
1
Sarah Pollock
1
Band 1
Silke Goldberg
3
Silke Goldberg
3
Band 3
Matthew Job
4
Matthew Job
4
Band 4

Clients

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Amber Infrastructure

CPPIB

Chevron

Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

DIF

EDF

GIC

InterGen

Interogo Holdings

Macquarie

Marubeni

National Grid

OMERS

Renewable Power Capital

bp

Industries

Provided by Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP

Conventional power generation

New technologies

Nuclear

Oil and gas

Renewable energy