“The World’s Leading Energy Law Firm (2010 - 2011)” – From Europe to Africa and Beyond
Since establishing its London presence in 1971, the law firm of Vinson & Elkins LLP has been the clear choice for handling energy-related matters in Europe as well as Africa, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific. Leveraging its unique complement of lawyers and solicitors – the majority qualified in both English and American law – V&E is known as the go-to law firm for complex matters involving construction and engineering, infrastructure, oil and gas, international dispute resolution, and more. And in an effort to offer clients a full range of services, V&E London/Europe has also expanded its practice to include deep knowledge in clean energy/renewables, finance, mergers and acquisitions, tax law, and more.
Offering Excellence in Service from Energy Infrastructure to M&A
Lawyers and solicitors in Vinson & Elkins’ London/Europe practice have been praised by third-party sources for their excellent personal responsiveness to clients – top-quality service is always a priority, regardless of the scale or complexity of the deal. And while energy continues to be a key distinguisher for our law firm, V&E London/Europe has been praised for its wide range of premiere offerings, from real estate to private equity to M&A.
Nurturing New Talent to Build Our Global Strengths
V&E London/Europe’s well known trainee solicitor program sets us apart from other U.S.-based. firms in Europe. During their two years of specialized work in this unique program, participants gain wide experience in many different areas of law, working with a variety of associates and partners from across the firm. The trainee solicitor program demonstrates V&E’s commitment to hiring the best lawyers and giving them every opportunity to develop their practice in a supportive environment, so they will flourish and strengthen our law firm. Chambers and Partners recently profiled the quality of V&E's London trainee program, observing: "Offering all the resources, cash and charm of a US firm, there is much to tempt prospective trainees to the V&E way."
Representative Matters
The following is a representative sampling of matters handled by V&E’s European practice group over the past few years: - Represented a Danish company, a Norwegian company and an English company in the acquisition and development of one of the largest wind farms in the UK
- Represented a Finnish energy company in the U.S.$847 million exchange with a German company of electricity generation and distribution companies and assets in Germany, Ireland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden
- Represented an international energy company in its sale of certain strategic stakes in Russian oil and gas production companies for an enterprise value of $350 million.
- Acted for an English energy company in the development and project financing of a gas field offshore Ireland
- Represent a number of international oil and gas companies in connection with their activities in the UK North Sea, including acquisitions and divestitures as well as negotiation of oil and gas contracts such as gas sales agreements, operating agreements, and abandonment security agreements
- Represented international financial institutions in the project financing of the Bucharest water concession in Romania
- Advised a U.S. energy company in the divestiture of its UK gas storage business for over U.S.$400 million through two separate transactions
- Represented a European energy company in the divestiture of its interest in Europe’s largest (and the fifth largest in the world) producer of polyolefins
- Represented a U.S. company in the acquisition of pet food manufacturing facilities in the UK and in Denmark
- Represented a Finnish energy company in the divestiture of its international chemicals division for approximately $600 million
- Advised the London arm of a U.S. energy company on the development of a UK gas-fired power station, including drafting and negotiation fuel supply and power sales contracts and advising on energy regulation and trading
- Represented a consortium of Nordic and Russian companies in connection with the U.S.$200 million financing for an oilfield development project
- Represented a major French multinational in the U.S.$255 million vendor financing of a new telecommunications project
- Represented one of the largest independent power producers in the UK on its power purchase agreements, fuel supply contracts, operation and maintenance arrangements and refinancing activities and on the impact of the new electricity trading arrangements
- Represented a Swiss trading company in connection with a U.S.$100 million loan to a Cyprus company to finance the acquisition of a strategic stake in a UK public company
- Represented an investment fund in connection with its provision of financing to certain European retail outlets
- Represented the UK arm of a major energy company in the completion of U.S.$400 million of syndicated and bilateral trade finance facilities, including advising on, negotiating, and drafting all facility and security documentation
Solicitors and Registered Foreign Lawyers. A list of partner names is available for inspection at CityPoint, One Ropemaker Street, London EC2Y 9UE. Vinson & Elkins RLLP is a limited liability partnership formed under the laws of New York authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (No. 0079019).