Latham & Watkins is pleased to announce that John Balsdon will join the firm’s London office as a partner in the Finance Department. Balsdon is one of the market’s leading energy finance practitioners, with more than 20 years’ experience advising global trading companies and investment banks on a broad range of transactions in the oil and gas and power sectors, including project financing, structured trade financing, reserve-based lending and restructuring matters.
David Gordon, Vice Chair of Latham & Watkins’ Executive Committee, said: “John’s arrival will bolster our standing as one of the elite global energy and power firms, with top-tier, market-leading expertise in the world’s major energy capitals. He is a strong practice builder and he will play a key role in the continued expansion of our energy capability in London and globally.”
Over the years, Balsdon has established an outstanding market reputation for advising on some of the largest pan-European project financings in the energy and natural resources sectors. He has vast experience working in both mature and emerging markets and he specializes in complex upstream and pipeline financings in the oil and gas sector.
Jay Sadanandan, Latham’s London Office Managing Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome John to the firm. He has a formidable reputation as a senior energy practitioner and leader, and he will bring considerable experience in emerging markets such as Africa and the CIS. His practice strongly complements our energy platform in Houston and globally.”
“In recent years the role of the large trading houses in energy finance and M&A has grown significantly,” said Dominic Newcomb, Vice Chair of Latham’s Global Finance Department. “As financial instruments and markets continue to evolve, John’s extensive experience will provide valuable guidance to our clients and lawyers.”
Balsdon will join Latham & Watkins from the London office of Herbert Smith Freehills. He graduated with an LLB with honours from the University of Warwick in 1989, before completing his LPC at the College of Law, York, in 1991.
Source: www.lw.com
