Infrastructure | UK

On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman. The firm's infrastructure group is deemed a first port of call for high-profile infrastructure deals, with significant experience in transport, energy and utilities matters. The team is sought after for its expertise in multi-source refinancings. Its clients include a number of multinational sellers, buyers and financial institutions. The firm is particularly active on large-scale transportation matters, including rail, motorway and airport facilities.

Linklaters is highly sought after for its in-depth acquisition financing expertise. The team demonstrates notable experience in refinancing and whole business securitisation. The firm counts a number of leading finance and sponsor-side companies as clients. The firm also provides advice on regulatory matters. It is well regarded for the handling of innovative and unusual finance structures.

White & Case regularly advises on M&A transactions involving assets in a range of infrastructure classes. The team is particularly active on road, telecoms and renewable energy transactions. Its clients include investment funds, asset managers and banks.

Ashurst is a specialist group with wide-ranging expertise in M&A transactions and financing, alongside considerable strengths in related regulatory, tax and competition matters. The firm is active in a range of industries, including utilities, education and transport infrastructure. The team often advises on PFI and PPP secondary market work. Partners offer further depth across the energy market as they frequently handle renewable and oil and gas developments.

Clifford Chance maintains a strong reputation for closing challenging and high-value infrastructure transactions both domestically and abroad. The firm offers impressive lender-side credentials and counts numerous specialist infrastructure funds, pension funds and institutional investors among its roster of high-powered clients. Clifford Chance is a go-to firm for securitisation and debt restructuring. The team advises on transactions involving a broad spectrum of assets, including energy, district heating, rail and telecoms infrastructure.

Herbert Smith Freehills is a regular presence in major domestic infrastructure transactions, with notable roles in waste, energy and transport matters. The team advises on acquisition financing, refinancing and asset disposal matters. The firm is regularly engaged on deals across Western and Northern Europe, as well as in various other overseas jurisdictions. It also displays strong abilities in handling contentious disputes surrounding infrastructure developments.

Latham & Watkins has a strong London team, with expertise in infrastructure financing and acquisition transactions across a range of industries, including transport, energy and technology. The team acts for various clients including private equity groups, infrastructure and pensions funds, and other investors.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a noteworthy team offering expertise in the representation of infrastructure funds. The team regularly advises clients on the acquisition, financing and refinancing of energy, transport and social infrastructure developments. The firm possesses particular strength in relation to cross-border transactions involving European assets.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer draws from a roster of corporate law experts to assist clients with prominent infrastructure transactions. The firm has significant experience advising on the acquisition and disposal of telecoms, transport and energy developments. It offers additional strengths in environmental, regulatory and tax matters.

Hogan Lovells exhibits key strengths in power, transport and infrastructure transactions, including those involving PPP/PFI-built assets. The firm is regularly called upon by clients to advise on structured finance, insolvency and project repackaging matters. The team frequently works with public and private clients in Eastern Europe and Africa. It is particularly adept at handling joint venture agreements.

Kirkland & Ellis combines its acclaimed sponsor-side finance capabilities with a strong bench of infrastructure specialists. The team has significant expertise advising on the acquisition and disposal of energy, transport and telecom assets.

Paul Hastings is home to a strong team of infrastructure lawyers who regularly advise on M&A deals across a range of sectors, including telecoms, healthcare and energy. The team also provides strong advice on debt work, including financing and refinancing of large infrastructure deals.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett's infrastructure team regularly advises on high-value and complex international M&A across a range of sectors, including telecoms and energy. The team also regularly assists infrastructure funds with debt refinancing and acquisition finance matters.