Linklaters is bolstering its partner ranks in Beijing with senior energy and infrastructure partner, James Douglass, relocating from London to Beijing in early January.
James has previous experience in Asia – from 2001 to 2004 he was head of the firm’s regional energy practice based in Hong Kong. He has since become one of the firm’s top practitioners in emerging markets, including Africa, Russia/CIS and Turkey, which are all major investment targets of the firm’s China-headquartered clients.
Stuart Salt, Linklaters’ Asia Managing Partner, said:
"This move represents a major commitment by the firm’s global energy and infrastructure practice to strengthen further Asia’s energy and Infrastructure client offering, especially in China where the team is seeing heightened activity in the sector.
"James’ move brings additional international cross-border, multi-source finance experience to both our China and regional banking and projects teams which are currently heavily engaged in a number of M&A, investment and financing transactions across the energy, infrastructure and mining sectors."
James will be working closely with Beijing partner Tom Ng on outbound investments in the energy, natural resources, infrastructure and related sectors. He also brings senior level international experience to the firm’s China banking and projects offering.
There are also a number of associate relocations planned in support of this initiative, to reinforce the firm’s energy and infrastructure capability across the region:
- Andrew Zaw, managing associate relocated from London to Singapore in early November
- James McLaren, managing associate, will be relocating from London to Hong Kong in early 2011
- Jimmy Chua, associate, will be relocating from London to Beijing in December.
Linklaters is one of the leading firms in China. The firm has recently advised on a number of high-profile transactions in the energy and infrastructure space, including acting for ICBC on a US$2.5bn structured oil receivables loan to the Angolan Ministry of Finance (China Energy and Natural Resources Deal of the Year, China Law and Practice Award 2010), on the US$2.5bn financing of the Baha Mar Project, with financing to be provided by China Exim, on the US$2.7bn facility for Kazakhmys PLC, provided by China Development Bank and on the financing (including financing provided by Chinese lenders) of the 1,300 MW Jhajjar IPP in India.
The team is currently engaged on a number of energy and infrastructure investments and structured and project financings for Chinese clients, both in the region and elsewhere. The Beijing team was recently awarded the International Team of the Year – Project Finance Award 2010 by China Law and Practice.
For further information, please contact
Sarah Peters on +44 (0)20 7456 2153 or Rupert Winlaw on +44 (0)20 7456 3219
