His 20 years with the firm include 12 years based in the Middle East and time on secondment to Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan in London. He regularly advises sponsors, investors, export credit agencies, multilaterals and commercial lenders on development and financing arrangements across the capital stack. Clients consider Michael to be “a strong specialist with deep experience of complex and large transactions, who is keen to have a strong understanding of the non-legal aspects of a transaction.” He is currently working to deliver energy transition projects with project costs in excess of USD50bn.
Michael specialises in the development and financing of energy transition projects, with a particular focus on the hydrogen sector and battery mineral value chain where he has advised on a number of complex, first of a kind projects.
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
Northvolt on the up to 60GWh expansion of its lithium-ion gigafactory project in Sweden, which successfully signed in December 2023.
Sponsors on the development and financing of a range of lithium-ion battery gigafactory projects in France, the UK, Germany and Japan, as well as on financing arrangements, offtake, IP licence and other arrangements for lithium-ion battery gigafactory projects in the USA.
The pathfinder ECAs and lenders on the first of a kind giga-scale 1m+ tpa Helios green hydrogen and ammonia project (including solar and wind generation) in Saudi Arabia. This USD9bn project includes the world’s first large scale green ammonia offtake contract.
Green Lithium on the development and financing of UK’s first merchant lithium refinery producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide, including on the core raw material supply and lithium hydroxide offtake or tolling arrangements as well as project development contracts and technology licensing arrangements.
Qualifications
Admissions
Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2006
Academic
MA, English Language & Literature, Pembroke College, Oxford University, 2001
CPE, BPP Law School, 2003
LPC, BPP Law School, 2003
CPE, BPP Law School, 2003
LPC, BPP Law School, 2003
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.