LAWYER PROFILE
Ian Coles

Ian Coles

Global 2026

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Ranked in 4 practice areas

About

Provided by Mayer Brown International LLP

Global

Practice Areas

Ian Coles concentrates his practice on all aspects of bank and debt finance, ranging from projects and other structured finance to commodities financing and restructuring. He represents banks and other financial institutions, sponsors, and other participants in finance transactions throughout the world.

Continually recommended by the legal directories, sources praise Ian for his skill in project finance. He is "unflappable, very experienced and an exceptionally good lawyer" (Chambers: Mining). He is “a stellar practitioner who receives widespread praise from peers” ( Who's Who Legal: Mining). He is "highly regarded for lender-side representation in mining transactions, with peers noting his activity on high-profile project finance mandates" (Legal 500). He is “highly skilled and trusted. He has a unique ability to look through a complex problem and to charter a potential course through it." (Legal 500:Mining).

Ian has also been listed in The International Who's Who of Mining Lawyers and Project Finance Lawyers since 2009. He has been listed in this publication since 2006. Ian has also been included in the mining chapter of Who’s Who Legal: Thought Leaders – Global Elite, as well as being selected for inclusion in the Legal 500 Private Practice Powerlist: African Specialists.

Ian joined Mayer Brown in 1981, becoming a partner in 1987 and is the author of numerous articles in connection with project finance and mining & metals

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Global Guide

Projects & Energy: Mining & Minerals - Africa-wide

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Ian Coles is a well-known figure in the field of mining, and a former head of Mayer Brown's Africa group. He is a go-to adviser for mining finance, with recent experience concerning uranium and lithium projects. Coles also has notable experience advising African governments in the context of natural resources legislation. He is based in London.

Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: International - UK

Band 1
Band 1

Individual Editorial

Ian Coles is an esteemed finance attorney with considerable experience advising clients in the mining industry on the financing of projects. He regularly advises on transactions involving projects based in Africa and Latin America.

Projects & Energy - Africa-wide

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Ian Coles is a well-known figure in the field of mining, and a former head of Mayer Brown's Africa group. He is a go-to adviser for mining finance, with recent experience concerning uranium and lithium projects. Coles also has notable experience advising African governments in the context of natural resources legislation. He is based in London.

Projects: Mainly International - UK

Foreign Expert
Foreign expert in Africa-wide

Individual Editorial

Ian Coles is an exceptional projects lawyer who acts as the head of the firm's mining and Africa practices. He regularly takes on project financing mandates in relation to mining developments in the region, with recent work including matters in Senegal, North Macedonia and Liberia.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He had excellent background on the specifics of our project and was clearly a subject expert.

    Energy & Natural Resources: Mining: InternationalChambers Global Guide

Ranked Individuals at Mayer Brown International LLP (141)

Africa-wide

Asia-Pacific Region

China

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    Richard J I Stock

    Aviation: Finance (International Firms)

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    Capital Markets: Derivatives & Structured Products (International Firms)

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    Thomas Kollar

    Capital Markets: High-Yield Products (International Firms)

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    Joanne Du

    Energy & Natural Resources (International Firms)

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    Gabriela Kennedy

    Intellectual Property (International Firms)

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    Amita Haylock

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    Matthew J McConkey

    International Trade/WTO (International Firms)

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    Gabriela Kennedy

    Technology, Media, Telecoms (TMT) (International Firms)

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    Gabriela Kennedy

    TMT: Data Protection & Privacy (International Firms)

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