Ashurst retains a prominent position in the London infrastructure market, advising a deep roster of global asset managers and energy developers on a litany of energy transition and infrastructure transactions, both domestically and overseas. The group’s multifarious focus spans telecoms, battery storage, EV charging, district heating networks, ports and ferries, and social infrastructure builds. Jason Radford and Michael Burns co-lead the practice; Radford is reputed for the breadth of his company and asset portfolio deal sheet, while Burns is a trusted adviser to a wide array of infrastructure focused funds and asset managers. Gaby Jones handles both buy-side and sell-side instructions pertaining to renewables, digital infrastructure, and energy transition projects, while Laura Ho‘s acquisition finance skillset is routinely sought by private equity sponsors and institutional investors. Other key figures include Dallan Pitman, who is chiefly recognised for his private M&A proficiency. The firm deepened its offering through the hire of M&A specialists Julia Derrick and Sanja Udovicic, both of whom came from legacy firm Shearman & Sterling in May 2023.

Combining top-end M&A, PE and acquisition finance expertise, Clifford Chance LLP works with an array of sponsors and lenders on major company takeovers, large debt raises, and the purchase and sale of equity stakes in marquee energy players. The ‘top-notch‘ team is especially noted for its capabilities in digital infrastructure and energy transition transactions, covering a host of renewables, utilities, and transport infrastructure assets. Practice co-chair Michael Bates works with asset managers and funds on debt financings, refinancings, and acquisition financings, while fellow co-chair Charlotte Madden handles complex  buy-side and sell-side M&A and PE transactions, both domestic and cross-border. Various global private equity firms, institutional investors, and sovereign wealth funds regularly seek out Jonathan Dillon for M&A and joint venture counsel, while Alexandra Dimsdale-Gill takes the lead on debt finance and refinancing mandates. Julia House is also noted for her comprehensive financing offering; she regularly oversees the acquisition finance piece underpinning major transactions.

Kirkland & Ellis International LLP continues to solidify its leading position in the London infrastructure market by bolstering its already deep and experienced bench of advisers. In late 2023, the firm brought across the Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP duo Sinead O’Shea and Jia Meng, as well as Simmons & Simmons partner Serra Tar - all of whom are noted for their M&A and financing expertise. A popular choice for multiple infrastructure funds and institutional investors, the firm handles blockbuster M&A and acquisition finance mandates - often with a cross-border element - across traditional, social and digital infrastructure, renewables, and energy transition assets. Sara Pickersgill, James Boswell, and Toby Parkinson co-lead the practice, frequently collaborating on the firm’s most consequential transactions. Pickersgill and Parkinson are recognised for their expertise in M&A, while Boswell is renowned for his extensive skills in debt financing. Celyn Evans has recently advised on M&A and joint ventures in the digital infrastructure space, while James McGivern is another key debt finance practitioner whose recent workload includes significant company takeovers in the transport and renewables sectors. Emma Shelston and Tina Xu provide further M&A and debt finance capabilities, respectively.

Latham & Watkins advises on host of domestic and international M&A and financing transactions, representing premium financial institutions, institutional investors, and sponsors across all sub-sectors of the infrastructure market. The group’s expertise handling large debt raises and refinancings for multinational industry players ensures that it handles first-of-its-kind structures in the digital infrastructure and energy infrastructure space – two areas of particular focus for the group. Practice head Conrad Andersen is lauded as one of the ‘leading and most respected infra financing lawyers in the market’, often acting on multi-billion pound capital raises and acquisition finance transactions across multiple jurisdictions. Seonaid Todisco draws on a wealth of financing expertise as she works with an array of funds, investors and financial institutions engaging with core and hybrid infrastructure assets. Simon Tysoe is a highly skilled M&A practitioner who regularly advises on the purchase and disposal of conventional and renewable energy portfolios, as well as PE investments and joint ventures. Promoted to counsel in January 2024, Amanda Fortuna comes recommended for her growing debt finance practice that spans both conventional and renewable energy assets, as well as hard and soft infrastructure projects. Rebecca Crowley maintains a diverse practice focus.

Linklaters LLP continues to work with some of the market’s most significant infrastructure funds, PE houses, and energy producers and developers on a range of transactions. Active across renewables, natural gas, waste management, and transport-related assets, the firm is particularly well placed to advise on digital infrastructure-related matters. Telecoms and data centres form a significant part of the group’s recent workload, handling mega-mergers and takeovers as well as first-of-its-kind ‘asset light’ strategy transactions. The practice is jointly chaired by several partners: Richard Ginks, who is frequently instructed by asset managers and global investors on M&A, joint ventures and acquisition financings; Michael Honan, noted for his experience in big-ticket M&A for major financial sponsors; and Elisabeth Johnson, who principally focuses on financing instructions. Ross Schloeffel advises on data centre acquisitions and disposals, in addition to acquisition finance work, while John Guccione leverages previous in-house experience at OMERS Infrastructure to work with funds and investors on infrastructure transactions. Recent engagements for Nicole Meyer, the lead adviser to key client Macquarie, cover solar, battery storage and waste management assets.

Reputed for its high-end corporate expertise, Slaughter and May continues to advise on marquee transactions for leading industry players active across the energy, digital and social infrastructure arenas. The energy transition space is a particularly lively area of activity for the group, which frequently handles novel and complex transactions relating to hydrogen, CCUS and battery storage. Team heads Michael Corbett and Hywel Davies are noted for their far-reaching practices, working with a range of energy producers, infra funds, and government bodies on public and private M&A and joint ventures. Equally well versed in equity and debt financing arrangements, Azadeh Nassiri's recent workload includes conventional and renewable energy transactions, while Robin Ogle is chiefly engaged with M&A and PE deals, working with major asset managers as well as various subsidiary funds. Victoria MacDuff is the chief point of contact for Vodaphone, guiding the corporation through deals in Italy and Spain as part of its portfolio right-sizing efforts. The 'exceptional' Oly Moir is also recommended.

Working with some of the largest funds, investors and developers in the market, CMS is regularly sought out for heavyweight transactions concerning energy and infrastructure company takeovers and asset portfolio acquisitions. Beyond its M&A expertise across renewables, energy transition, and digital infrastructure assets, the team is noted for its acquisition finance and debt raising capabilities. Kristy Duane leads the practice alongside Paul Smith, both of whom are noted for their M&A and capital markets capabilities. New senior partner and chair of the UK LLP Charles Currier is an eminent corporate partner and a key contact for a range of public utilities, financial sponsors, developers and producers. Clients often turn to Danielle Heath for her expertise in transactions concerning projects, those both under development and operational. Beyond his core project finance remit, Jonathan Dames handles acquisitions and debt financings for energy and infrastructure clients across a range of sub-sectors.

DLA Piper strengthened its energy and infrastructure transactions offering through a series of key hires in the spring of 2024, including ex-Paul Hastings LLP partners Derwin Jenkinson and Steven Bryan – noted for their debt financing and M&A proficiency – as well as M&A and PE specialist Paul Doris , who joined from Brown Rudnick LLP. Praised for its ‘extensive breadth of knowledge’, the team maintains a strong focus on the digital infrastructure space, advising on a number of landmark transactions in this space, including major investment partnerships and joint ventures. The sizeable national practice is headed up by Martin Nelson-Jones, whose broad capabilities encompass company acquisitions and asset investments across the gamut of energy and infrastructure sub sectors. Other key figures include Fredrik Lindblom, who is noted for his clean energy background and track record in PE transactions concerning renewable assets platforms.

Turned to by a host of global investment firms, energy and infrastructure developers and operators, and sovereign wealth and super funds, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP continues to handle a range of marquee transactions in both the domestic and international markets. The firm’s wide-ranging practice covers the full gamut of core and core+ assets, and its strong focus on digital infrastructure assets that has seen the group oversee multi-billion dollar satellite and communication merger and telecom acquisition deals. The London team is run by Gavin Williams, who acts for a growing roll-call of funds, corporates and investment banks on acquisitions, disposals and PE transactions. Silke Goldberg is chiefly recognised for her clean energy-driven regulatory practice, while Sarah Pollock, also focused on clean energy matters, is noted for her M&A and joint venture work. Malcolm Lombers is a key contact for super and sovereign wealth funds, while Veronica Roberts lends crucial TMT sector expertise on the group’s most consequential energy transition and digital infrastructure deals. Emma Stones brings further M&A, strategic investments and joint ventures capabilities to the fore.

Led by finance specialist Rob Marsh, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s London team regularly advises on blockbuster mergers, complex company takeovers, and asset portfolio investments across a plethora of traditional, clean energy and digital infrastructure and energy asset types. The group acts on behalf of multinational corporates, funds, major industry players, and governmental bodies, with far reaching geographical coverage which is especially concentrated in developing markets in Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East. The ‘exceptional’ Stephen Rigby continues to advise a host of top-end clients, well-versed in M&A, private equity transactions, and restructurings. Jon Perry advises on a number of transport project investments both domestically and overseas, while Oliver Stacey‘s recent workload includes major telecom acquisitions and investment deals in African markets. Both recently promoted to partner, Andrew Davies‘ broad corporate practice encompasses energy, transport and real estate assets, while Nari Ertem is particularly noted for her cross-border M&A capabilities.

Paul Hastings LLP is engaged by a stellar roster of domestic and international clients, handling a diverse array of transactional mandates across power, utilities, energy, and transport, as well as both the digital and social infrastructure sectors. The practice is co-led by Jessamy Gallagher, a highly experienced transactional partner renowned for her work on high-value, cross-border M&A deals. Stuart Rowson, a seasoned finance specialist, is equally distinguished for his expertise in multi-sourced debt platforms and complex portfolio financings. Other key figures include Candice Lambeth, noted for her capabilities in infrastructure M&A and private equity transactions, and Alistair McKechnie, a go-to adviser for infrastructure and acquisition finance, serving both sponsors and leading financial institutions.

‘A go-to law firm due to the exceptional client service and the consistently high quality of its lawyers across all areas’, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP regularly acts on takeovers, acquisitions and divestments for a range of top-end infrastructure funds and private equity groups. Digital infrastructure also remains a core component of the team’s work, with recent standout deals concerning smart metering, data centres, telecom towers and fibre. Practice head Amy Mahon acts as the key contact to some of the firm’s leading clients. Jiaying Zhang has an extensive cross-border practice that has seen him handle the purchase of Portuguese, Spanish and Serbian energy and infrastructure companies, while Claire Williams is highly regarded for her financing acumen. Promoted to partner at the start of 2024, Paul Foote provides further M&A and PE expertise. Sinead O’Shea joined Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in November 2023.

Leveraging top-rate M&A, PE and debt financing expertise, White & Case LLP acts for a growing roster of financial sponsors and multinational corporates on the full range of energy and infrastructure assets, with a particular focus on digital infrastructure and energy transition mandates. Katie Hicks heads up both the infrastructure investors and infrastructure debt practice, and is chiefly recognised for her acquisition financing and refinancing capabilities, working with a host of premium funds and investors. Tim Sheddick - infrastructure investment co-chair and infrastructure M&A lead - is a key contact for Macquarie, with recent engagements covering renewable energy, gas transmission and metering, and gigafactory acquisitions. Sandra Rafferty primarily focuses on renewable-related mandates, while Elizaveta Bazarova‘s debt finance acumen makes her a contact for a number of clients. Jonathan Toffolo is recommended for his acquisition finance work.

Baker McKenzie advises on the full range of energy and infrastructure assets, spanning high-end strategic investments, takeovers, disposals and novel debt facilities. The firm demonstrates a broad geographical reach, with a proven ability to handle transactions in jurisdictions across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Practice co-chair Nick Rainsford regularly works with private equity groups and funds on an array of infrastructure-related M&A transactions, while fellow co-chair Susannah Davies advises real estate, energy and infrastructure companies on domestic and international M&A. Charles Whitefoord has extensive private equity experience, advising on large-scale digital infrastructure deals. James Heller is another key name for financial sponsors and funds, boasting especially close ties to the firm’s Japanese clients.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is well regarded for its skill in major infrastructure transactions, spanning renewables, energy transition, digital and social infrastructure, and transport assets. With an extensive international footprint and a diverse roster of clients, the firm is instructed on both domestic and international buy-outs and disposals, as well as PE investments and debt financings. Practice head Mark Richards takes on a range of financing, M&A and commercial law instructions for manufacturers, developers, sponsors and public sector bodies. Latterly, he has advised on a number of transport-related transactions alongside fellow M&A specialist Jinal Shah. Other key figures include Christian Drage, who largely focuses on renewables, digital infrastructure, and transport mandates in the domestic market, and Kimberly Roberts, who regularly works on some of the UK’s most consequential energy and transport projects.

Working for some of the world's foremost investment firms, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher is singled out by one client for its ‘best in class partner quality and availability combined with very customer-friendly practices and great industry knowledge.’ Latterly, the practice has advised on an array of buyouts, investments, joint ventures, and debt finance mandates concerning a host of infrastructure and energy transition assets, including, but not limited to, green steel, electricity transmission and distribution, telecoms, EV charging, carbon capture and removal, and renewables. Practice head Federico Fruhbeck is a highly experienced M&A lawyer who works with a range of funds and sponsors across a number of jurisdictions. Fruhbeck often works closely with Alice Brogi, whose far-reaching practice covers a range of infrastructure and hard assets. Robert Dixon is another proficient cross-border M&A adviser who is routinely sought out for his digital infrastructure expertise. Kavita Davis joined the firm from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in September 2023, bringing further debt finance capabilities to the team.

Steered by market veteran Philip Robb, Hogan Lovells International LLP works with investors, funds, lenders and developers across M&A, PE, acquisition finance, refinancing and restructuring mandates. The team demonstrates comprehensive asset coverage, recently overseeing toll road investments, airport refinancings, waste and recycling plant acquisitions and digital infrastructure-related partnerships and debt raises. Noted for his financing expertise, Andrew Gallagher works with both lenders and borrowers engaging with M&A and refinancings, while Philip Brown is well placed to advise a diverse array of funds on management issues, capital raises and acquisitions. Sarah Shaw and Florian Agnel advise both investors and corporate clients on big-ticket acquisitions and disposals, with the duo demonstrating broad asset engagement and multijurisdictional capabilities. Alastair Young, who joined the firm from Bracewell (UK) LLP in April 2023, is noted for his track record in energy sector M&A.

Demonstrating ‘extensive industry experience and understanding’, Pinsent Masons LLP counts a number of leading funds, sponsors, developers and public bodies among its clients. Chaired by global head of transactional services Hammad Akhtar, the team handles acquisitions, investments and partnerships concerning EV charging, offshore and onshore wind, hydrogen, energy from waste and pumped hydro ventures, as well as the debt and acquisition financing relating to medical and transport infrastructure. Gareth Hughes advises on a host of traditional and digital asset transactions, with smart meter and EV charging instructions forming a key feature of his practice. John Tyerman focuses on clean energy mandates, working with funds and PE outfits on investments in complex, multifaceted projects. Akshai Fofaria‘s extensive cross-border practice sees him advise on mining and oil and gas transactions in African and South American markets.

Praised for its ‘high-quality, commercially driven advice’, Sidley Austin LLP bolstered its bench strength with the hires of James MacArthur and Ed Freeman from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in April 2023; both MacArthur and Freeman are noted for their expert knowledge of international markets. Alongside their global finance colleagues, the duo handle the full range of M&A, PE, joint venture, and debt finance mandates, working for both distinguished players and newly established funds. Further names to note include Ramy Wahbeh, who joined the firm from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2023. Wahbeh is an experienced private equity specialist who regularly works with financial sponsors across a range of infrastructure-related M&A mandates. Emilie Stewart and James Crooks are both noted for their extensive debt finance expertise, as is Ben Thompson, who joined the practice in May 2024 from Travers Smith LLP.

Advising a wide range of industry players and infrastructure-focused funds, Travers Smith LLP continues to be an active presence in the market, handling key net zero mandates in the UK as well as large-scale acquisitions overseas – particularly in the digital infrastructure space. Head of corporate Spencer Summerfield is highly regarded for his M&A and corporate finance expertise and serves as a longstanding adviser to a number of financial sponsors. Jonathan Walters works with global funds on investments, disposals, restructurings and reorganisations, with a recent demonstrable track record in renewables and district heating transactions.  Hugh Hutchison is heavily involved in European energy and infrastructure deals. In team news, Ryan Ayrton joined the firm from Watson Farley & Williams LLP in July 2024 and John Buttanshaw was promoted to partner in July 2024, while Ben Thompson joined Sidley Austin LLP in May 2024.

Routinely sought out by some of the market’s foremost infrastructure investors, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP‘s London team acts as a sub-group of its wider PE platform, handling transactions that span energy transition, digital infrastructure, transport, social infrastructure and conventional energy sources. Hailed as ‘one of the preeminent infrastructure M&A lawyers globally’, practice head Brendan Moylan works with global funds on significant investments in Europe, as well as overseeing major combinations, acquisitions and disposals in the UK-fibre market. Murray Cox is a highly skilled in telecoms and fibre deals, and possesses considerable knowledge of emerging markets. David McKendrick, previously in-house at A.P. Moller-Maersk, joined the firm in October 2023. Paul Hibbert and Emma Serginson left the practice to join Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in April 2024.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s national practice handles M&A, joint ventures and debt finance instructions for a range of infrastructure funds, energy groups and social infrastructure providers. The team continues to be highly active advising on new technologies and deals in emerging sectors, and is frequently instructed on energy transition and decarbonisation mandates. Camilla Usher-Clark and Stuart McMillan co-lead the team; the former is regarded for her work in the renewable energy sector, while the latter is known for his debt and equity financing expertise. Jonathan Eves is a key name for energy and social infrastructure instructions, while Graham Soar is chiefly noted for his M&A and financing work regarding renewable energy assets.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP has a growing infrastructure practice that was recently bolstered by the arrival of David Wyles from Herbert Smith Freehills LLP and Kiran Arora from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, who joined in April 2023 and December 2023, respectively. Wyles is an accomplished debt finance practitioner, whereas Arora brings strong M&A experience to the fore on a number of transactions. Together, they join a team which is highly active in both domestic and overseas acquisitions, investments and financings, with a particular emphasis on renewables and digital assets. Alex Carver serves as the global co-head of energy and infrastructure finance and acts on a number of overseas debt financings. Global co-head of infrastructure Dominic Lacey operates from Cambridge and handles a broad range of projects, while global co-head of energy Stephen Hill has close connections to a wide array of funds. Mark Dennison is well regarded for his finance acumen, and Peter Greenall for his brownfield M&A work.

‘An exceptionally skilled team delivering outstanding performance and wide industry coverage‘, Simmons & Simmons acts for international energy companies and infrastructure-focused funds on M&A, joint ventures, disposals and brownfield financings, showcasing particular strength in energy transition and digital infrastructure deals. Iain Duncan heads the practice. Andrew Petry is noted as an ‘experienced partner with wide coverage and impeccable skills’, who works with a range of lenders, borrowers and developers. Juliet Reingold is well versed in PPP/PFI projects and boasts close connections to a number of public bodies and multinational strategics. Corinne Noel also comes recommended.

A ‘knowledgeable and approachable team’, Watson Farley & Williams LLP‘s London energy and infrastructure offering combines M&A and finance expertise, with asset knowledge that spans the energy, digital and social infrastructure, and transport sectors.  Head of the team Andy Savage is routinely sought out by private equity clients for cross-border acquisition expertise, while Christina Howard is well regarded for her work concerning transport infrastructure. Chris Kilburn is a key name to note for oil and gas deals. Previous co-head Ryan Ayrton joined Travers Smith LLP in July 2024.