Baker Botts L.L.P., a leading international energy, technology and life sciences law firm, announced today it is expanding its global footprint with the opening of an office in Singapore, including the admission of three lateral energy projects and transactional partners there. Richard Guit, Daniel Reinbott and Michael Harrison have joined the firm’s Global Projects Department in Singapore. Mr. Guit has assumed the role as Partner-in-Charge of the new office, which also includes Global Projects partner Lewis Jones, who relocated from the London office of Baker Botts. In addition, the office includes two new Global Projects special counsel, Jessica Ham and Giles Ashman, who have joined with Richard, Daniel, Michael and Lewis, plus one associate. The group arrives from Ashurst.
“Our new Singapore office leverages our premium energy sector brand, built around a critical mass of lawyers with substantial existing local and regional relationships through the Asia-Pacific region, augmenting our leading energy capabilities globally,” said John Martin, Managing Partner of Baker Botts. “This market-leading team of lawyers will further allow us to provide full-service support to our U.S.-based global clients while working with global clients on their inbound U.S. transactions.”
The Band 1 and Tier 1- ranked energy, natural resources and infrastructure team of lateral partners covers the entire energy and resources sector, from traditional large-scale, high-value natural gas and LNG projects and commodity-related work, through to the developments at the forefront of energy transition, including low-carbon hydrogen, ammonia and methanol, CCUS, CO2 liquefaction, and cross-border renewable energy imports, as well as all aspects of associated infrastructure. In addition to project and infrastructure development, the team has deep and longstanding JV and M&A expertise. As the Singapore office grows, the firm intends to expand its offering by assisting its clients with private equity matters, as well as servicing its global client base across the technology, life sciences and venture capital industries.
“With significant changes taking place in the energy market, and the dominance of Asia as a critical driver of global energy consumption and decarbonization developments, Singapore is a critical office for the firm’s support of our global client base,” said Jason Bennett, firmwide Department Chair of Baker Botts’ Global Projects Practice and co-head of its firmwide Energy Sector. “The office will act as the Asia-Pacific hub for the firm’s energy, infrastructure projects, project finance, and dispute resolution capabilities, working closely with the firm’s U.S., London and Middle East offices.”
Baker Botts’ Singapore office provides energy transactional services that include project development and M&A for the natural gas, LNG, power, renewables and fuels sectors, including full support for decarbonization of those sectors. In addition to their experience in Singapore, the team has advised on numerous projects and transactions in Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Australia, Papua New Guinea, South Korea, and other countries throughout Southeast Asia and South Asia.
“Daniel, Michael and I are thrilled to have joined Baker Botts, a firm that has the world’s premier energy practice, advising clients globally across the entire energy value chain. We are excited by the opportunity to build Singapore into a center for cross-office collaboration, assisting the firm’s clients on their most critical opportunities and challenges across the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond,” commented Richard Guit, Global Projects Partner and Partner-in-Charge of the Singapore office.
The Energy practice at Baker Botts comprises lawyers skilled in various complementary practices that offer clients the range of legal skills and experience needed for sophisticated and complex energy and infrastructure projects and transactions around the world. Even in the midst of rapid changes that have pushed energy companies to adapt to new priorities for decarbonization and electrification and heightened focus on ESG, Baker Botts remains the preeminent energy law firm, advising clients globally across the energy value chain.
