A&O Shearman‘s team draws on the firm’s broader international network, and harnesses particular capabilities in handling decarbonisation projects, including those involving hydrogen and its derivatives, green fuels, and offshore wind. Scott Neilson is reputed in the energy transition space, frequently acting for domestic and international project sponsors and financiers therein. Hitomi Komachi‘s broad practice covers energy transition mandates as well as mining and LNG transactions. Xue Wang relocated to the firm’s London office in September 2024. Etienne Gelencsér continues to assist Japanese clients, splitting his time between Perth and Tokyo.

Baker McKenzie (Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise)‘s team has a comprehensive projects and energy offering spanning outbound and inbound work in the LNG, offshore wind, and broader energy transition sectors. Jon Ornolfsson heads up the team and assists Japanese trading houses and energy companies, amongst others. Samir Desai handles instructions involving the development and financing of natural resources, conventional electric power, and infrastructure projects. Other notable members of the team include Naoaki Eguchi and Kosuke Suzuki, who is praised for his ‘sound business judgment’. Ean Mac Pherson departed in September 2025.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP‘s team is renowned for its impressive expertise in ‘cross-border joint ventures, project financing, and government engagement’, regularly advising clients across oil and gas, mining, LNG, and renewable energy, amongst other sectors. Japanese trading houses, energy companies and corporations regularly rely on the team for outbound matters in APAC and globally. Andrew Blacoe leads the practice and is a go-to for Japanese multinationals. Lachlan Clancy is a key client contact, particularly for companies investing in LNG and renewables.

King & Spalding's team has considerable expertise in the energy sector, with a comprehensive offering that encompasses conventional, transitional and renewable energy transactions. The department has a strong presence in LNG, low-carbon hydrogen, and onshore wind projects. John McClenahan leads the team alongside Mark Davies; McClenahan regularly advises on oil and gas and mining mandates, while Davies is singled out as an ‘expert’ on the full gamut of energy-related issues, from procurement and joint ventures, to those involving investments and regulatory aspects. Michael Arruda has amassed considerable experience advising on carbon capture and storage matters.

Latham & Watkins Gaikokuho Joint Enterprise's practice has a strong track-record advising on renewable and conventional power, oil and gas, infrastructure and mining projects. The team is a trusted advisor to Japanese sponsors, lenders, developers, and ECAs whom its advises on major projects and high-value infrastructure transactions. Practice head Stephen McWilliams, who splits his time between Tokyo and Singapore, is well-versed in project development and financing across the Asia Pacific region. Hiroki Kobayashi routinely acts for both sponsors and lenders in the oil and gas and power sectors. Richard Chul Kim assists the team with major LNG projects.

Linklaters' offering has a prominent projects and infrastructure team in Tokyo that covers financing and investment transactions across all areas, including inbound and outbound wind, solar and hydrogen projects. Renewables and energy transition are a key focus for the group, which is co-led by Hirofumi Taba and Ilia Ditiatev; Taba is well-regarded for his expertise in investments and acquisitions in the renewables sector, while Ditiatev specialises in energy and natural resources, with a nexus in Japan, Russia and the wider CIS region.

Milbank's team advises international sponsors and lenders in the oil and gas, renewables and power distribution sectors. The group maintains its presence in the LNG market and is increasingly active in electricity infrastructure and renewables matters. Aled Davies, who heads up the team, is experienced advising on the variety of matters for clients including multinational companies, ECAs and DFIs. Project finance restructurings, as well as work in the mining and petrochemicals sectors, are key features of Andrew Pendleton‘s practice, while energy specialist Justen Fleming is singled out for his deep expertise in LNG-related mandates.

Norton Rose Fulbright‘s team focuses on conventional and renewable power, energy transition, and shipping matters, amongst others. The practice primarily acts for major sponsors, including Japanese megabanks and trading houses. Head of the Tokyo office George Gibson leads the team and leverages his considerable experience to handle the development, financing, and acquisition of infrastructure and energy projects across the APAC region and globally. Paul Coggins heads up the maritime practice, focusing on international shipping and offshore matters. Energy transition and renewables matters are the standout features of Akihiko Takamatsu‘s practice.

White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association)‘s team harnesses expertise spanning development and financing, as well as acquisitions and dispositions. The team’s capabilities span traditional energy and renewable power and cover Japan-inbound as well as overseas investment. Paul Harrison, who is a seasoned practitioner with experience in oil and gas and LNG matters, leads the group. Julien Bocobza receives a steady flow of energy transition and renewable energy mandates, advising international sponsors on their investments in those sectors. LNG project specialist Michael Richter, who was promoted to partner in January 2025, regularly advises energy companies and utilities on the procurement of LNG. Tim Fourteau moved to the Tokyo office from the Singapore office in 2025.

Clifford Chance (Gaikokuho Kyodo Jigyo)‘s team harnesses expertise across the oil and gas, mining and metals, power, renewables and infrastructure sectors, amongst others. Yusuke Abe and Hans Menski co-head the team, which serves a clientele comprising Japanese and foreign investors and sponsors, as well as commercial banks and ECAs. Abe is an expert in cross-border project finance and regulatory matters in the energy sector, while Menski specialises in complex, multi-source financings and international investments. Project M&A is the mainstay of Natsuko Sugihara‘s practice, whilst Peter Harris handles arbitrations in the energy and resources space.

Morrison Foerster‘s team regularly advises on financings and investments related to conventional power, LNG and petrochemicals. Dale Caldwell leads the team alongside Michael Graffagna; Caldwell is adept at advising on renewable energy projects, while Graffagna is a key name for sponsors and developers involved in projects across Asia Pacific and globally. Masahiro Shiga specialises in advising on the Japanese law aspects of renewable energy mandates.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP's group is notable for its strengths in renewables project financings and M&A, including onshore and offshore wind and solar projects. Minako Wakabayashi, who leads the team, regularly represents multinational developers and sponsors and is well-versed in onshore energy transactions and corporate PPA scheme matters, in particular. Andrew Hughes, who was promoted to partner in January 2025, is active in advising on the acquisition, financing and development of renewables projects.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP‘s energy and infrastructure department demonstrates particularly strong capabilities in projects with a US and Japan nexus. The team frequently advises governments, sponsors and lenders on the development and financing of projects across traditional sectors such as oil and gas and coal, as well as less conventional power and renewables. George Borovas heads the firm’s nuclear practice and has a proven track record of assisting with the financing and construction of nuclear power plants worldwide. Kristian Bradshaw, who joined from White & Case LLP - White & Case Law Offices (Registered Association) in October 2024, has a reputation for advising on LNG procurement and for his expertise in the hydrogen sector.

Mayer Brown‘s team is well-versed in the development, financing and acquisition of energy and infrastructure projects. Head of the team Rupert Burrows has significant experience advising on cross-border mandates for multinational trading houses and banks. Myles Mantle is well-equipped to handle matters in the energy, chemical and transport sectors, in particular.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP‘s practice draws on its stellar US practice to advise Japanese corporates, trading houses, and contractors on LNG and power development projects. Team lead Simon Barrett focuses on the oil and gas sector, with considerable expertise in financing matters. Katsumi Shirai specialises in transactions related to renewables, while Olivia Matsushita regularly handles investments into clean fuel.

Domestic and international clients benefit from Sidley Austin Foreign Law Joint Enterprise‘s team’s renewable sector-related advice in particular. Daniel Lin and Tomoki Ishiara share leadership of the team. Lin is active in advising on investments into and disposals of energy-related assets. Shigeyuki Ito is also noteworthy and regularly assists clients in handling the range of project development matters.