McDermott Will & Schulte has hired HSF Kramer’s head of global energy into its London office, in a move that comes less than a year after each firm completed its respective merger.
Lewis McDonald (pictured below right), who has been at HSF Kramer for over 20 years, has led the firm’s global energy group since 2018.
Recognised as a leading partner in Legal 500’s projects, energy and natural resources: oil and gas rankings in London, McDonald has significant experience working int he Asia Pacific region, beginning his career in Perth in 2001, before moving to London in 2005 and to Hong Kong and Singapore in 2008.
After five years at legacy Herbert Smith Freehills’ Singapore office, he moved to South Korea to launch the firm’s Seoul office in 2013, where he spent four years as managing partner, advising on notable deals such as Korea Gas’s $11bn investment in the Coral Floating LNG project in Mozambique.
McDonald then took on the role of head of corporate for HSF in Asia in 2016, and subsequently moved to Tokyo in 2017.
After taking on the role of global head of energy, McDonald then relocated back to London in 2019.
Energy has long been a key sector for HSF Kramer, and firm leaders have emphasised to LB the industry’s ongoing importance as the firm doubles down on the US after the merger between legacy HSF and legacy Kramer Levin & Naftalis that went live last June.
Analysis published by LB at the end of last year showed that HSF Kramer was among the firms with the most tier 1 energy rankings in UK Legal 500 research, in joint second place with Clifford Chance, behind only Linklaters. McDermott, by contrast, has only two energy rankings in the UK, in tier 5 for both oil and gas and renewables.
However, the picture is different in the United States, where HSF Kramer has no energy rankings, and McDermott has four.
Global head of McDermott’s transactions practice group, Harris Siskind, said of the move: ‘Energy markets are becoming more complex and interconnected, and clients are looking for clear, commercial advice across the full spectrum of energy and infrastructure.’
He continued: ‘Lewis brings a rare combination of sector depth and transactional experience that will help us guide clients through cross-border M&A and strategic investments with greater precision and confidence.’
On his move, McDonald said: ‘McDermott has the scale, platform and ambition to build a leading European Energy practice. I’m excited to join and support clients as they navigate complex global energy markets, drawing on the firm’s strength across traditional energy, renewables and private capital.’
Managing partner of McDermott’s London office, Aymen Mahmoud, added: ‘Lewis is a standout addition to our London team at a pivotal time for the energy sector.’
He continued: ‘His arrival reinforces our position in Europe and strengthens how we connect our London office with our US platform. For clients, that translates into seamless support across jurisdictions and across the full investment lifecycle.’
McDonald is set to start at his new firm in October.
HSF Kramer said in a statement: ‘We thank Lewis for his valued contribution to the firm and we wish him well.’
