Heading the German energy sector group at Watson Farley & Williams LLP, Malte Jordan is a key advisor across sustainability matters and the energy transition. Alongside a particular focus on private equity investments concerning renewable energy and green infrastructure, Jordan assists on M&A, corporate restructurings, and financings across the wind and solar segments.
As a regular advisor to major global asset managers, Jordan is an expert on transactions which help scale-up operational and development-stage renewable energy projects. A notable client is Christofferson, Robb & Company, whom Jordan acted for on the sale of a 337 MW wind portfolio in Germany and France to Statkraft.
Jordan is a notable thought leader regarding the legal and regulatory frameworks which underpin sustainable development and the growth of the renewable energy sector. Aiding the firm’s thought leadership contribution, Jordan authors articles on topics including transition and carbon reduction strategies in the heavy industry sector. Jordan has also authored articles for the German wind power journal on key considerations within the offshore tender process.
Leading the team at DLA Piper Denmark which specialises in on- and offshore wind projects, Martin Juste regularly advises major domestic clients on high-value transactions in the renewable energy sector. With deep expertise across maritime, transport, and energy law, Juste is a key contact on project and commercial contracts and agreements, M&A, and contentious matters across the clean power industry.
Helping deliver the operation of one of Scotland’s leading green power assets, Juste advised Føn Energy Services in the negotiations for a Balance of Plant-services contract for the 882 MW Moray West offshore wind farm. Other key clients in the renewable energy segment include leading wind turbine player Vestas, major sustainable energy developer and operator Wind Estate, and renewable energy operator Cloudberry Clean Energy and its portfolio companies.
Juste is a notable thought leader in the space, authoring academic chapters on Denmark’s offshore wind licensing regime, advising executives on possibilities in the renewable energy space, and organising internal learning sessions in conjunction with local and innovative green power facilities.
In Australia, Nadia Kalic makes a key contribution to Clifford Chance’s holistic sustainability strategy in its efforts to lead on impactful green client work and leave a positive environmental impact from its operations, serving as a member of its global ESG board and global responsible business board and chairing its APAC ESG board. An M&A and projects specialist, Kalic acts for ambitious renewable energy developers and major investors such as Blackrock on high-value and large-scale investment and development matters across wind, solar, and battery power technologies.
Kalic is a key thought leader on the green transition, regularly authoring the firm’s briefings on Australia’s low-carbon and renewable energy journey while also contributing to blog articles on emerging sustainability topics including local and regional greenwashing developments.
Helping leave a positive green impact in the legal community, Kalic is a board member of the Energy and Resources Law Association, which focuses on promoting best practice, innovation, and collaboration regarding energy, resources, and renewables law.
Clare King heads up the clean energy, waste & sustainability practice at Freeths LLP and co-leads relationships with major energy clients such as Centrica PLC, ENGIE, and Statkraft. A specialist in clean energy projects, particularly battery storage, she led the team advising Cambridge Power on one of the UK’s largest battery deals, and regularly advises developers, investors, and joint ventures on the commercial, regulatory, and transactional aspects of renewable energy, energy storage, and cleantech projects.
With King’s deep technical knowledge across a range of clean energy technologies, including CHP, bioenergy, and carbon credits, she remains at the forefront of large-scale, innovative projects.
She is also a frequent industry speaker, and as part of the firm’s membership with The Chancery Lane Project, she has been responsible for drafting sustainability clauses to introduce sustainability provisions into clients’ supply chains.
Bringing longstanding experience in regulatory matters concerning the power and heat markets, Léone Klapwijk at Van Doorne is an expert advisor to major domestic energy companies in the transition of their portfolios and business models toward renewable and green assets.
Demonstrating her expert regulatory knowledge, Klapwijk assisted large-scale renewable project operator Green Energy Storage in obtaining a grid connection and securing transmission capacity for its battery asset. The deal is crucial in securing a favourable regulatory solution which will support the growth of the battery storage segment in the Netherlands.
Key to Klapwijk’s thought leadership contribution is her engagement in academic discourse. Alongside lecturing for VU Amsterdam on climate change and the energy transition, Klapwijk furthers academic discourse through contributing to legal journals, including co-authoring an article on the Shell climate litigation in the Dutch Journal for Energy Law. Klapwijk is also a key facilitator of industry discourse, having co-hosted a roundtable on ESG and sustainability for the Dutch Association of Legal Counsel and on legislative developments in the heat sector as part of Energy Transition Forums.
Head of ESG at Maples Teesdale LLP Anastasia Klein brings a particular interest in the impact of ESG on the commercial real estate market. She is an expert in ground-breaking green lease matters, assisting in their creation and drafting for major listed and sustainability-focused clients. As well as serving as a member of the British Property Federation’s Green Lease Working Group, Klein also spoke on the importance of environmental and social considerations at the BE News roundtable on the role of green leases within the built environment sector.
As part of her leading commitment to the decarbonisation of the built environment, Klein sits on the BE News ESG editorial advisory board, helping the industry commentator in its mission to build knowledge and best practice concerning sustainability trends. Making a further contribution to supporting the sector in building a greener future, she also spoke at Bisnow’s UK ESG Real Estate conference on how data measuring and effective leadership can best enable companies to achieve their carbon goals.
An expert across a diversity of renewable energy projects, Klint Klingberg-Jensen at Poul Schmith is a leading authority on the transition of Denmark’s energy sector.
A core area of expertise is the CO2 value chain, with Klingberg-Jensen highly adept on complex and novel mandates which help scale-up emerging CO2 capture systems. Klingberg-Jensen assists clients in the space on the legal frameworks surrounding carbon capture and transport infrastructure and on legal, regulatory, and compliance matters concerning carbon credits and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. A further area of expertise is the hydrogen sector, whereby Klingberg-Jensen advises on the development of landmark and large-scale projects.
Key clients in this space include sustainability-conscious utilities Hofor and Evida Holding, major green hydrogen players HH2E and Green Hydrogen Systems, offshore energy supplier CS Wind, and CO2-capture technology experts Aker Carbon Capture.
As a member of the firm’s ESG steering committee, Klingberg-Jensen is actively involved in the development a veracious sustainability strategy, in the implementation of initiatives with a positive environmental impact, and in investments into high-integrity green and decarbonisation projects.
A public procurement expert, Karsten Köhler leads the Leipzig power plant team at Luther Rechtsanwaltsgesellschaft mbH and is a key contact on project development and tendering matters concerning renewable and alternative energy assets.
A major client is Stadtwerke Leipzig, whom Köhler is advising on funding, construction, and commercialisation matters for its major ongoing project to phase-out coal and secure energy supply within the city through the development of the 120 MW HKW Süd power plant. With the facility designed to run on low-carbon fuels and hydrogen, its operation is a crucial factor in Leipzig’s strategy to address the climate emergency and meet its CO2-neutrality target.
Köhler leads the firm’s green initiative in Leipzig, spearheading its initiatives to switch to green energy and electricity in order to reduce its operational CO2 emissions and meet its sustainability goals. Köhler is also a member of the German Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and the Forest Foundation of Saxony, which work to protect species, habitats, and the climate across Germany.
Mikael Kowal, head of the renewables practice at MAQS Advokatbyrå, is a key contact on major commercial and project mandates across the Swedish clean energy industry. Building off his longstanding expertise in the on- and offshore wind segments, Kowal equally brings a wealth of knowledge in the solar, battery storage, green hydrogen, and e-fuels markets.
In the project development space, Kowal assisted key repeat client Liquid Wind in its partnership with municipal utility Sundsvall Energi to develop its FlagshipTWO commercial-scale e-fuel facility. A further notable client in the clean power sector is TotalEnergies Renewables, whom Kowal advised on its joint venture with European Energy to develop its Swedish offshore wind portfolio.
Demonstrating a longstanding commitment to the energy transition, Kowal has served on the board of directors for major industry actors including Rabbalshede Kraft and Renewable Sweden. As a notable thought leader in the space, Kowal leads the firm’s pro bono contributions to wind power association Svensk Vindkraft, whose magazine the firm writes for on the sector’s legal landscape. Kowal is also a trusted keynote speaker at Svensk Vindkraft’s annual conference.
A key member of BAHR’s energy and climate change team, Per Aksel Hammer Krog focuses his practice on the green transition and renewable energy sector. Counting major domestic energy transition players among his clients, Hammer Krog is an expect across transactions, corporate structuring, and project development matters in the renewables and green fuels spaces.
For key client HitecVision, Hammer Krog advised on the establishment of the 1Vision Biogas joint venture with major fuel retailer St1 and in the development of its new biogas projects. The mandate is instrumental in supporting the growth of the nascent biogas market, augmenting the production and adoption of renewable fuels. Further major clients include major offshore wind development consortium Ventyr and green energy company Fortescue Future Industries.
A notable speaker across the sustainability landscape, Hammer Krog regularly participates in key committees which help advance industry expertise and develop the regulatory framework surrounding offshore wind. As part of this engagement, Hammer Krog supports Renewables Norway’s sub-committees on the offshore wind space and is a member of Statnett’s committee on the development of the North Sea offshore grid.
Coordinating the ESG and corporate sustainability services at Castrén & Snellman, Anna Kuusniemi-Laine is a highly sought-after advisor among major domestic clients on the integration of ESG objectives and obligations into corporate operations, policies, and agreements.
A key client is forestry and environmental technology company A. Ahlström, whom Kuusniemi-Laine assisted in establishing a corporate sustainability due diligence process plan. Helping the client navigate the ESG regulatory landscape, Kuusniemi-Laine led the team in preparing effective sustainability best practices and solutions and delivered tailored training for investment teams, management teams, and the board of directors at the client and its portfolio companies.
Alongside holding regular training programmes, seminars, and lectures for clients, Kuusniemi-Laine makes an important thought leadership contribution through authoring incisive articles, including co-authoring an article on the implications of the CSDDD for the Helsinki Law Review.
A key contact in Borenius’ energy and infrastructure team, Hanna Lehtinen provides focused advice on sustainability regulatory matters and the development of green industrial and power assets. As a trusted advisor to leading domestic and global clients, Lehtinen regularly advises on the development and licensing of green energy projects.
Possessing in-house experience from the forestry sector, Lehtinen brings core knowledge of the development of green fuel and sustainability-focused projects as well as the implementation of EU sustainability regulation, including the EUDR, CSRD, and Taxonomy framework.
Lehtinen regularly shares sustainability knowledge and best practice within the legal community, serving as a member of the board of the Finnish Corporate Sustainability Law Association. As a key figure within the firm’s thought leadership output, Lehtinen regularly co-authors insights and legal alerts on topics including energy transition investment permitting and sustainability regulation.
At Linklaters, Asia ESG steering committee member and structured finance and derivatives team member Karen Lan is a leading authority on green and sustainable structured finance transactions. Supporting key industry players in understanding how to most effectively create value through emerging green finance opportunities, she regularly provides clients across Greater China with training on topics including sustainability-linked derivatives and carbon trading.
Helping leverage the experience gained in client work, Lam is a member of the Financial Services Development Council’s carbon market working group, which advises the Hong Kong SAR government on best practices in the carbon trading space.
Demonstrating her key voice in the business community, she is also a member of the International Swaps and Derivatives Association, International Emissions Trading Association, and Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association working groups on sustainable finance and the carbon markets.
Having formed Sustainable Law in 2021 in order to provide sustainability-conscious legal advice for green projects and clients, Merete Larsen is a pathfinder in the emphasis on sustainable development within real estate project development and transactions.
In the urban development space, key clients include Carlsberg Byen, whom Larsen advises regarding the development of its new sustainable and nature-focused urban district, and leading property company Balder Denmark, whom Larsen is advising on the project development of its green and energy-efficient Torveporten district. Other major clients include A.P. Møller – Mærsk and the Technical University of Denmark, whom Larsen represents in major asset development mandates.
Larsen places a key emphasis on advancing sustainability discourse within the legal sector, regularly participating in the UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in New York. Larsen is also cooperating with the Centre for Law, Sustainability and Justice at the University of Southern Denmark, which will focus on research and development to support the legal profession in meeting future business challenges. Through the centre, Larsen has helped share knowledge regarding the emerging importance of sustainability due diligence within transactions.
Valerie Lawlor, head of McCann FitzGerald LLP’s energy and natural resources group, boasts a leading practice in the renewables sector. With extensive experience advising on clean energy and sustainability projects, Lawlor works with project acquirers and developers, as well as regulators like the Commission for Regulation of Utilities.
Lawlor’s work supports the development of renewable energy projects and helps navigate the regulatory and financial challenges arise. Recently, Lawlor assisted the Electricity Supply Board on its landmark agreement with Ørsted to jointly develop an up-to-5 GW offshore wind portfolio.
In the lead-up to COP26, Lawlor led an ESG seminar series for clients, focusing on how Ireland can achieve its climate targets. She also participates in pro bono activities, including supporting Home Tree, an organisation dedicated to establishing and conserving permanent native woodlands in Ireland. Furthermore, Lawlor is an active member of the Energy Committee of the British Irish Chamber of Commerce, where she engages in policy discussions related to energy.
Wynne Lawrence founded Clyde & Co’s climate risk and resilience practice group and coordinates the team’s advice on emerging sustainability risks and corporate ESG requirements. As a longstanding insurance and reinsurance disputes specialist, she is a key advisor to insurers on climate liability risk exposures and leads the firm’s bespoke seminars and workshops, which are aligned with the Bank of England’s Climate Biennial Exploratory Scenario, for clients across the insurance, transport, and resource sectors.
Lawrence plays a key role within the firm’s external sustainability engagement, supporting its involvement with the Net Zero Lawyers’ Alliance and authoring the firm’s series of reports into climate change and biodiversity liability risks.
Reflecting her reputation as a thought leader on the insurance industry’s engagement with climate challenges, Lawrence sits on the International Underwriting Association’s Climate Change and ESG committees.
King & Wood Mallesons’ Singapore founding partner Michael Lawson brings a wealth of experience in the green transition, with a long track-record advising clients on their landmark wind, solar, battery, waste-to-energy, and carbon project developments. He leads the office’s regional engagements with major clients including offshore energy group BW, renewables investment manager SUSI Partners, and carbon marketplace Climate Impact X.
Lawson is a true thought leader across a diversity of green transition trends, offering insights into topics including EV battery supply chains, carbon market regulation, and the key regional political and economic commitments which are driving the decarbonisation of energy systems, transport, land use, and the built environment.
Demonstrating his leading reputation among major industry bodies on climate action, Lawson hosted the firm’s workshop alongside the Carbon Market Institute which explored how market participants can mobilise investor appetite and existing finance to build confidence in the carbon markets.
With over 25 years of experience, Carine Le Roy-Gleizes at UGGC Avocats is a recognised expert in ecological and energy transition matters. She regularly assists companies in navigating regulatory developments and developing legal solutions to support their transition towards sustainable activities.
In an ongoing matter, Le Roy-Gleizes is advising a major client on the transformation of its fossil fuel exploitation and distribution operations into renewable energy-related projects. Additionally, she frequently assists clients with the development of renewable energy initiatives, particularly in the offshore wind and photovoltaic sectors.
Notably, Le Roy-Gleizes participates in discussions led by the Ministry of the Environment regarding the evolution of environmental regulations. She is also a regular attendee at the Intersol Congress, a scientific event focused on sustainable soil management, and a member of the Club des Avocats Environnementalistes, an organisation dedicated to promoting awareness of environmental and climate issues through the law.
Sharon Lewis established Hogan Lovells (Paris) LLP’s sustainable finance and investment practice and has been pivotal in shaping the firm’s client-facing ESG offering. Lewis is particularly recognised for her expertise regarding landmark green bond issuances.
Keeping up with regulatory developments, Lewis regularly publishes insightful articles on key legislative initiatives, including ESG disclosure, sustainability reporting requirements, and green compliance challenges. Further demonstrating her thought leadership, she organises and actively participates in ESG-focused events, such as a recent discussion on leveraging ESG for business transformations.
Externally, Lewis is a committed advocate for sustainable business practices. She is an active member of the Positive Transformation Club, a network run by Sparknews which unites purpose-driven leaders working to reconcile social and environmental impact with business growth.
Energy expert Hugo Lidbetter serves as head of sustainable infrastructure at Osborne Clarke, providing key expertise for domestic and international clients on legal and policy issues surrounding the decarbonisation of the energy sector. Lidbetter’s particular expertise is in development, construction, and operation mandates concerning electricity delivery projects and renewable and zero-carbon power generation.
As a key voice in the firm’s thought leadership offering, Lidbetter has co-authored insights into topics including barriers surrounding the UK grid connection process, the impact of the Contracts for Difference regime on the offshore wind sector, and the implications of UK political changes on the attainment of net zero carbon emissions.
Helping further boost sustainability discourse, Lidbetter wrote a LinkedIn Pulse news article on the potential impact of the Great British Energy policy in delivering additional renewable energy and making an effective contribution to the country’s decarbonisation targets.
