An environment and sustainability partner at Irwin Mitchell, who previously served as environment commissioner for Greater Manchester and founded environmental firm ELM Law, Keith Davidson is one of the UK’s foremost authorities on contaminated land and environmental liability. Dedicated to addressing environmental and climate change challenges, he played a key role in establishing the firm’s Net Zero Hub, offering clients expert guidance on net zero strategies and carbon literacy training.
Davidson’s frequent publications on sustainability and net zero topics include a recent article around reporting scope 3 emissions in the UK’s corporate real estate sector. He is also a prominent industry speaker on net zero, ESG, and PFAS issues, recently sharing his expertise in climate due diligence, PFAS liability risks, and contaminated land liability in a Manchester Law Society webinar.
Davidson’s contributions to the field are further highlighted by his roles as a member of the Law Society’s Climate Change Working Group, the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM) contaminated land panel, and PFAS working group.
Martyn Day, co-founder of Leigh Day, is a renowned expert in international, environmental, and product liability law. He has represented communities in high-profile cases, including Zambian claimants affected by pollution from a large open cast mine in the Copperbelt. Since 2022, he has been representing hundreds of thousands of UK claimants in the emissions scandal, targeting car manufacturers accused of manipulating NOX emission tests.
Day’s engagement extends to several memberships and his thought leadership on environmental issues: He is the director of Greenpeace Environmental Trust and routinely publishes, gives lectures and participates in seminars on environmental topics. He and his work regularly feature in the media, and he recently co-authored a guide on environmental action.
Christine Delagaye at AKD places a core emphasis on renewable energy and decarbonisation projects, particularly in the offshore and onshore wind power segments. Alongside a notable strength regarding the interpretation of energy and ESG regulatory matters and mechanisms, Delagaye is an expert across the whole project lifecycle, offering essential advice on the development, construction, operation, and commercialisation of major energy and climate transition assets.
In a cross-border matter, Delagaye assisted Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners, as part of its joint venture with Vattenfall, across the tender process and development of its 2 GW offshore wind and 50 MW floating offshore solar project. Within the mandate, Delagaye advised on energy and tender regulation, corporate and competition structuring, project management, and energy offtake agreements.
Delagaye is a keen thought leader across the sustainability landscape and regularly participates in notable industry discussions, having recently spoken at World Forum Offshore Global’s offshore wind to hydrogen subcommittee on the Dutch and Belgian regulatory frameworks. Contributing further expertise regarding green asset development, Delagaye also presented to the Belgian Construction Law Association on project financing matters.
Jean-Pierre Delvigne co-heads Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner’s energy transition team in France and is a highly regarded lawyer in energy, environmental, and public law matters. With extensive experience in the renewable energy sector, Delvigne recently advised major clients on one of France’s largest financing operations for solar self-consumption, showcasing his deep expertise in innovative energy solutions.
Beyond his client work, Delvigne is an active member of the business community. He is affiliated with the Syndicat des Énergies Renouvelables, where the firm regularly participates in key events. Additionally, Delvigne is a member of Enerplan, an organisation dedicated to advancing solar energy initiatives. Delvigne also participates annually in the Time to Change event organised by GreenUnivers, which explores innovative trends and developments in the green energy transition.
A leading contact within Loyens & Loeff’s energy and infrastructure team, Bram Devlies offers major domestic energy companies a particular focus on regulatory matters, contracts, and operation and revenue agreements within the renewable power sector.
A key client is major solar power player Energy Solutions Group, whom Devlies is assisting in the development of a 75 MW BESS project. Demonstrating his capacity to support throughout the project lifecycle and help ensure the effective operation of vital clean energy solutions, Devlies advised on planning and project development negotiations, due diligence, and the project’s route-to-market agreement.
Devlies is a key figure within the legal community on the energy transition, sitting as a member of the editorial board of the Belgian energy law journal and serving as the firm’s country representative for the Association of European Energy & Climate Lawyers (AEEC) network. Notable for his speaking engagements within this space, Devlies recently presented on the Belgian framework for energy storage at the AEEC’s London conference and elsewhere co-organised and spoke at the International Project Finance Association’s seminar on sustainable heat projects.
Cleary’s Maurits Dolmans is a true leader on the intersection of sustainability regulation with UK, EU, and international competition law. He leverages this vital insight to help enable the legal sector’s collaboration in mitigating global climate and biodiversity risks, assisting Net Zero Lawyers Alliance members with sustainability-related antitrust agreements and concerns concerning the UN Race to Zero, UN Climate Champions, and the Science-Based Targets initiative.
Dolmans provides a leading voice within the firm’s thought leadership output, co-authoring memorandums into topics including the UK CMA’s green agreement guidance and the European Court of Human Rights’ decisions on landmark climate change cases.
Evidencing his leading reputation in the business community, he has co-authored journal articles, including the impact of the KlimaSeniorinnen case for future climate tort litigation, and wrote for the New York University of Law on how antitrust law must not stand in the way of positive climate action. An expert on emerging ESG topics, Dolmans’ speaking posts include a presentation on the business case of climate action for the International Chamber of Commerce’s COP28 summit.
Public law expert Thomas Dünchheim at Hogan Lovells International LLP is a key partner to major domestic and global players within the chemical, energy, and industrial sectors on business-critical sustainability matters. Alongside a particular specialism in conducting environmental due diligence processes for domestic and international transactions, Dünchheim is an expert on environmental and ESG regulation and the establishment of power purchase agreements.
Dünchheim brings leading expertise in the battery asset sector. In a major deal supporting the growth of raw materials development in eastern Germany, Dünchheim acted for tantalum ore producer AMG Critical Materials on the domestic environmental and mining law aspects of its acquisition of a 25% stake in battery-grade lithium hydroxide supplier Zinnwald Lithium.
Through the authoring of incisive insights, Dünchheim makes a notable contribution to the firm’s thought leadership output. Key areas of coverage include the impact of the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, the significance of the Critical Raw Materials Act, and the application of German rules regarding corporate transparency.
Lorena Dunne leads on sustainability and ESG matters within the asset management and investment funds team at A&L Goodbody LLP, providing comprehensive advice on the full spectrum of EU sustainable finance regulations, including the Sustainable Finance Disclosure Regulation, Taxonomy regulation, and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive.
Notably, Dunne leads client work for a significant array of Article 8 and Article 9 SFDR funds, which invest across diverse asset classes to achieve sustainability objectives. Dunne’s expertise also extends to assisting fund management companies and asset managers with drafting and reviewing sustainability-related policies.
Internally, Dunne is an active member of the firm’s ESG and sustainability committee. Externally, she demonstrates her commitment to advancing sustainable finance through her role as a member of the ESG Policy, Legal, and Regulatory Working Group at industry association Irish Funds. In this capacity, Dunne engages with the Central Bank of Ireland on sustainable finance matters, contributing to the development of policies that shape the industry.
Jocelyn Duval co-heads Kalliope’s environment and industry team, as well as its energy and infrastructure practice, bringing extensive experience in high-profile matters. He is particularly noted for his expertise in the renewable energy sector, with a strong focus on the acquisition and development of photovoltaic, wind energy, and biomass projects.
Externally, Duval is an active member of several trade associations within the French renewable energy sector, enabling him to contribute to the evolution and development of regulation and public policies that shape the industry.
A recognised thought leader, Duval is the author of the JurisClasseur encyclopaedia booklet, which provides in-depth analysis of the legal aspects involved in developing photovoltaic projects.
Martin Eckert co-leads MME Legal | Tax | Compliance’s internal sustainability and ESG group and specialises in sustainability reporting, including climate reporting and climate transition plans, the applicability of European regulations to Swiss clients, and supply chain due diligence.
Eckert is actively engaged with several sustainability-related organisations, including CEO4Climate, the Green Fintech Network, and Swisscleantech. A standout thought leader in the space, Eckert regularly publishes and speaks on sustainability topics, with recent articles discussing voluntary sustainability reporting and ESG risk minimisation.
With over 35 years’ experience in energy and environmental law, Amy Edwards co-chairs both Holland & Knight’s climate change as well as environmental practice with a long track record in advising on the conversion of contaminated lands into new protective uses.
Notably, Edwards has been involved in climate change initiatives with the American Bar Association since 2019 (when she was chairing its section of environment, energy and resources), including the adoption of its climate change resolution under her leadership. An advocate for climate-conscious lawyers, she has been at the forefront of promoting the role of lawyers in addressing sustainability while building relationships with other international bar associations.
Edwards is also a frequent author and lecturer on brownfields, sustainability and other environmental issues. Her most recent webinars and speaking engagements at conferences have included topics ranging from greenwashing to California’s new climate disclosure laws, and the intersection between lawyers’ ethical duties and environmental justice.
An expert on major transactions which support the development of a green, sustainable, and circular economy, Mikko Eerola at Dittmar & Indrenius is a standout contact across the energy and infrastructure space. Counting major energy companies, project developers, and infrastructure investment managers among his clients, Eerola maintains an impactful practice across the wind, solar, geothermal, and district heating segments.
A key client is major clean energy infrastructure fund manager Nuveen Infrastructure, whom Eerola advised on the acquisition of a 30 MW onshore wind portfolio. The mandate supports the ongoing operation of the turbines in northern Finland while furthering the client’s commitment to facilitate the energy transition across the Nordics.
Eerola is a board member of the World Energy Council Finland, supporting key sector leaders and stakeholders in collaborating and developing best practice to boost Finland’s role in the global energy transition. Eerola is also a keen thought leader within this space, having in 2024 opened a webinar on green transition developments and authored insights and articles into topics including offshore wind grid connections and offshore project permitting and construction.
Valentina Eigner at DLA Piper Weiss-Tessbach Rechtsanwälte GmbH advises major clients on renewable energy transactions, including renewable power purchase agreements, renewable hydrogen sales, and biogas sale and purchase agreements. Her practice also extends to the carbon markets, where she advises on emissions trading matters.
Beyond her client work, Eigner made a leading contribution to the promotion of renewable energy development by creating a PPA template for the German Energy Agency to encourage the wider adoption of PPAs and support the construction of new renewable power facilities. She also teaches Energy Law at the University of Applied Sciences in Wels, with a particular focus on renewable energy markets and regulation. Within the firm, Eigner is actively involved in its carbon markets priority workstream and supports its engagement with the Sustainable Markets Initiative.
Gernot-Rüdiger Engel at Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH is a notable advisor to clients across the steel, chemical, metal, paper and building materials sectors on their innovative and impactful green transition strategies. Bringing expertise from environmental law, planning, and regulation, Engel demonstrates a particular focus on decarbonisation subsidy, environmental compliance, and circular economy mandates.
A key client is major global building materials player Holcim, whom Engel is assisting regarding its project to convert production to green hydrogen and utilise the waste CO2 from its Lägerdorf plant as a raw material for the production of green fuel and chemical base materials. Demonstrating his further leadership in industrial decarbonisation mandates, Engel is also assisting major domestic steel concern SHS on environmental, public, and energy law matters concerning its €3.6bn funding from the EU to construct a direct reduction plant and electric steel furnaces in order to decarbonise its production and create a green steel value chain.
Engel serves as deputy chair of the Greenhouse Gas Neutrality Foundation, which works to ensure the implementation of effective climate protection in Germany, and has published legal commentaries on topics including the emissions trading act.
An administrative and environmental law expert, Uwe Erling at Pohlmann & Company is highly sought-after among leading energy, industrial, chemical, commercial, and aviation companies regarding sustainability regulation and transition strategies. Building off longstanding expertise in environmental compliance mandates, Erling brings deep knowhow concerning EU ESG and climate change regulation.
Erling is a key contact within the aviation sector and is advising the German Aviation Industry Association and the Association of German Airports on climate protection law, emissions trading, and aviation law matters. The mandate supports the clients in navigating how a reduction of slots at German airports may be legally permissible for climate protection reasons.
A notable thought leader on pressing climate and carbon issues, Erling is the head of the legal subgroup on Emissions Trading to Combat the Greenhouse Effect at the Federal Ministry for the Environment. As a key academic author in this space, Erling contributes to the German Law Review for Substantive and Procedural Climate Protection Law and is currently co-authoring a commentary on the German Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trading Act.
With over 20 years of experience, Carlos Escoto at Galicia is a recognised specialist in the development of renewable energy and infrastructure projects. He co-leads the firm’s environmental practice and is also the coordinator of the firm’s ESG group. His practice focuses on drafting, enacting, and enforcing environmental policy and regulation, and he also advises on environmental aspects of M&A and financing projects.
Escoto’s dedication to ESG initiatives extends beyond his client work to driving internal change at the firm; he is a member of the firm’s sustainability committee. Externally, he spreads his knowledge via his written and spoken thought leadership. He recently participated in a discussion on ESG impacts and stakeholder balance in connection with new infrastructure projects in Mexico at event organised by the International Chamber of Commerce. He also contributed a chapter on ESG regulation in Latin America to a book on ESG and the commitment to a sustainable world, written by over 20 specialists and published by Tirant lo Blanch.
Ross Fairley chairs Burges Salmon’s renewable energy team and its net zero services, advising developers, investors, and public sector clients on clean energy contracts and regulations.
Recently, he was part of the team advising Bristol City Council on its City Leap initiative involving the appointment of a partner for a 20-year joint venture that will deliver up to £1bn of investment in low carbon energy infrastructure in Bristol and support its aim of becoming a carbon neutral city by 2030.
Fairley’s expertise spans a wide range of technologies, including wind, hydrogen, biomass, wave and tidal, solar, and geothermal energy. In addition to his legal work in these areas, he chairs Renewable UK’s Strategy Forum and is deputy chair of the UK Hydrogen Energy Association.
A prominent speaker on clean energy issues, he also acts as mentor in the Entrepreneurial Women in Renewables scheme and serves as a trustee for Avon Wildlife Trust.
Garret Farrelly brings two decades of expertise to his roles as head of Matheson LLP’s energy, natural resources, and utilities group and chair of the firm’s ESG Advisory Group. His comprehensive practice encompasses all facets of energy and sustainability law, with a focus on ESG legislation and the sale, acquisition, and financing of renewable and green energy infrastructure. Farrelly is particularly well-regarded for the extent of his experience advising on major wind power projects.
Farrelly has played a pivotal role in shaping Ireland’s renewable energy framework. Farrelly contributed to the design and implementation of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), including drafting the legal elements of the RESS terms and conditions for the Department of Communications, Climate Action, and Environment.
Farrelly’s influence extends beyond client work. Underscoring his commitment to advancing the energy transition on both a national and European level, Farrelly participated in the EU’s Green Deal panel, contributing to the roadmap for achieving a sustainable and climate-neutral economy by 2050.
Catarina Brito Ferreira has been a part of Morais Leitão, Galvão Teles, Soares da Silva & Associados’ longstanding energy law team for over 20 years. Her work involves advising clients on M&A transactions, project agreements, and regulatory matters in the renewable energy sector. Ferreira has assisted a myriad of clients with matters of energy production concerning wind, hydropower, solar, and biomass projects.
Alongside her work, Ferreira represents the firm at the Energy Law Group, an international network for law firms specialised in energy. Demonstrating her expertise externally, Ferreira is a lecturer at the Portuguese Catholic University, teaching the post-graduate course of energy law.
At McDermott Will & Emery LLP, renewable energy and private equity lawyer Carl Fleming has built a reputation for his ESG expertise. He is known for his work on significant energy transition deals, including the world’s first zinc battery financing for Pine Gate Renewables, the first hydrogen fuel transaction for hydrogen-powered trucks with Bayotech, and the first renewable natural gas debt financing in the US.
Fleming’s influence extends beyond legal practice into advisory roles at the highest levels of government. Appointed by the Obama, Trump, and Biden administrations to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), he advises the Secretary of Commerce on wind, solar, battery storage, and electric vehicles. He also chaired the White House’s first hydrogen roundtable, contributing to the US hydrogen roadmap and participating in the US-Germany hydrogen consortium.
Fleming is a prominent thought leader, regularly speaking on renewable energy and ESG, lecturing at multiple universities, and publishing and contributing to books. His insights are featured not only in the firm’s own legal updates, but also in major media outlets, including Reuters and Forbes.
