David focuses on the development and financing of energy and resources and infrastructure transactions, including renewable and other energy transition assets, conventional power and utilities, mining, oil & gas (including LNG), and traditional and core+ infrastructure.
Based in Sydney, David has also spent considerable time practising in the firm’s New York and London offices and has advised on projects in numerous jurisdictions, including Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, North and South America and the Caribbean. David has particular expertise in complex cross-border and multi-source financing transactions, including bank/bond/private placement and ECA-backed financings. David has also advised on a range of structured finance transactions, including back-leverage, fund financing and property financing.
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
Port of Melbourne on the USPP and EMTN/AMTN refinancing of it's a$4.6bn acquisition facilities.
The lenders on the ECA-backed financing of the Victoria International Container Terminal, reportedly the first ECA-backed non-resources infrastructure financing in Australia. Awarded IJGlobal Awards 2016: Asia Pacific Multisourced and The Asset Triple A Asia Infrastructure Awards 2017.
The Export Credit Agencies and commercial banks on the USD7.2bn financing of the Roy Hill integrated mine, rail and port project. At the time, this was reportedly the largest ever mining project financing.
MIRA and PSP on the financing of their acquisition of the State of South Australia’s land titles registry.
The State of Papua New Guinea and state-affiliated project companies in relation to the development and US$14 billion financing of the PNG LNG project. At the time, the largest ever project financing.
The lenders on a common terms debt platform for Orora Group, including its syndicated A$750m facility, its syndicated US$200m facility and bilateral facilities.
Two global gas and Oil Companies in relation to the US$20 billion financing of the Ichthys LNG project in Western Australia.
The lenders on a syndicated A$1.7bn term loan facility for Vodafone Hutchison.
The lenders in relation to the financing of Reece Group’s acquisition of Morsco.
Barings in relation to its mezzanine financing of Wolseley’s acquisition of the CoxGomyl group, and its senior financing of CoxGomyl’s acquisition of the Manntech group.
Nexus Energy in relation to its funding facilities, including its administration funding facility in connection with the acquisition by Seven Group Holdings.
A shareholder in relation to receivership funding facilities for Ten Network.
The lenders on the ECA-backed financing of the Victoria International Container Terminal, reportedly the first ECA-backed non-resources infrastructure financing in Australia. Awarded IJGlobal Awards 2016: Asia Pacific Multisourced and The Asset Triple A Asia Infrastructure Awards 2017.
The Export Credit Agencies and commercial banks on the USD7.2bn financing of the Roy Hill integrated mine, rail and port project. At the time, this was reportedly the largest ever mining project financing.
MIRA and PSP on the financing of their acquisition of the State of South Australia’s land titles registry.
The State of Papua New Guinea and state-affiliated project companies in relation to the development and US$14 billion financing of the PNG LNG project. At the time, the largest ever project financing.
The lenders on a common terms debt platform for Orora Group, including its syndicated A$750m facility, its syndicated US$200m facility and bilateral facilities.
Two global gas and Oil Companies in relation to the US$20 billion financing of the Ichthys LNG project in Western Australia.
The lenders on a syndicated A$1.7bn term loan facility for Vodafone Hutchison.
The lenders in relation to the financing of Reece Group’s acquisition of Morsco.
Barings in relation to its mezzanine financing of Wolseley’s acquisition of the CoxGomyl group, and its senior financing of CoxGomyl’s acquisition of the Manntech group.
Nexus Energy in relation to its funding facilities, including its administration funding facility in connection with the acquisition by Seven Group Holdings.
A shareholder in relation to receivership funding facilities for Ten Network.
Awards
- Recommended Lawyer Project Finance Legal 500 Australia 2018
- Notable Practitioner Project Finance IFLR1000 Australia 2018
- Recognised Practitioner Project Finance Australia, Chambers & Partners Asia Pacific, 2019
- Banking & Finance and Project Finance & Development, Best Lawyers Australia 2019
Qualifications
Admissions
Registered Foreign Lawyer, England and Wales, 2023
Admitted in New South Wales, Australia / Not admitted in New York
Supervised by the Principals of the Firm
Admitted in New South Wales, Australia / Not admitted in New York
Supervised by the Principals of the Firm
Academic
LLB, Murdoch University, Perth
Bcom, Accounting & Finance, Murdoch University, Perth
Bcom, Accounting & Finance, Murdoch University, Perth
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.