Isabelle Whitehead
Counsel
Sydney
Isabelle Whitehead
Counsel
Sydney
Contact Details
Isabelle is an Australian and New York dual-qualified lawyer specialising in infrastructure and energy transactions.
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted: Bar of the State of New York, 2019
Admitted as a solicitor, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 2014
Academic
LLB (Hons I), University of Sydney, 2013
BSC (Hons I), University of Sydney, 2011
Related articles
Publications: 21 November 2022
Australia’s renewable energy market – an ambitious decarbonisation agenda with opportunities abound
Australia is driving ahead with an ambitious decarbonisation agenda following a new federal government, significant volatility in the electricity market and large areas of the country suffering from…
Publications: 09 February 2022
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Opportunities for private capital in the water sector
Publications: 08 December 2021
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Laying a foundation for energy transition
Publications: 08 April 2021
Biden’s infrastructure plan: big ideas, little detail (so far)
Experience highlights
Advising Carlyle Infrastructure Partners on the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the USD8.5bn redevelopment of Terminal 1 at JFK airport.
Advising Apollo Global Management in their USD824m investment in a convertible equity portfolio financing with NextEra Energy Partners, LP in relation to a 2.5 GW renewable energy generation portfolio (consisting of 13 solar and wind projects, including battery storage), and associated acquisition financing arrangements.
Advising Australian listed company Karoon Energy Limited on its Brazilian subsidiary’s USD160m reserve-based, non-recourse syndicated debt facility, provided by Deutsche Bank, ING, Macquarie and Shell (and associated oil and interest rate hedging arrangements, and FPSO interface arrangements) and subsequent upsizings and amendments.
Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and the Public Sector Pension Investment Board on the AUD1.6bn acquisition of the 40 year concession to operate South Australia's Land Services Group.
Qualifications
Professional
Admitted: Bar of the State of New York, 2019
Admitted as a solicitor, Australian Capital Territory, Australia, 2014
Academic
LLB (Hons I), University of Sydney, 2013
BSC (Hons I), University of Sydney, 2011
Other noteworthy experience
Advising:
- ENGIE and Meridiam as the successful bidder for the USD1.2bn+ long term lease and concession of University of Iowa’s utility system, associated bank and USPP financing arrangements. Awarded 'North America Social Infrastructure Deal of the Year 2021' (IJ Global); ‘North America Energy Deal of the Year 2021’ (Infrastructure Investor).
- The lenders on their financing (and subsequent refinancing) of Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of the “Seven Seas Water” portfolio of desalination and water supply projects in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Korean credit funds on various financings (in the form of equity bridge loans and a USPP) of acquisitions by a major UK asset manager of equity in the Denver Eagle P3 rail project (Colorado), Portsmouth Bypass P3 (Ohio) and Presidio Parkway P3 road project (California).
- Clearway Energy Group on the project financing of its “Daggett 3” Solar Power (482 MW) and Battery Energy Storage System (394 MW) project in California.
- Dutch Infrastructure Fund in connection with a joint venture with PERENfra LLC develop and acquire USD1.5bn of water infrastructure opportunities in North America.
- The financiers to Palisade Investment Partners in connection with the development of the 112 MW, USD280m Granville Harbour Wind Farm in Tasmania, Australia.
- The financiers to Nexus Group (comprised of Acciona, Cintra and Plenary Group) in relation to the financing for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing PPP Project.
Pro bono
- Worked with a diverse cross-border team to assist the Center for Reproductive Rights in reporting on access to sexual and reproductive health rights in humanitarian settings, including conflict-affected areas.
- Advised non-profit organization Anthropocene Alliance in researching potential avenues of legal redress for flood survivors in the southern United States.
