Orrick taps energy team from Hogan Lovells

San Francisco-headquartered Orrick has appointed Matthew Williams, John Deacon and Edward Humphries as partners in its energy and projects team.

The trio joins the law firm’s London office from UK- and US-based rival Hogan Lovells, where Williams and Deacon respectively served as global co-head of energy & natural resources and global co-head of renewable energy. Williams will now become co-head of Orrick’s energy practice, along with Carlo Montella from the firm’s Milan office.

“This move reflects our continuing focus on developing our London office as a hub for domestic and cross-border investment in the energy, finance and tech sectors,” said Douglas Lahnborg, head of Orrick’s London office.

Williams has a strong transactional and regulatory pedigree across the energy, emissions and infrastructure sectors, according to the firm, in fields including project finance, M&A, commodity trading, corporate restructuring and contentious matters. He is said to have represented parties involved in the majority of UK power sector disposals over the last two years and also advises on the development, financing and acquisition of oil and gas assets.

Deacon deals with energy projects, carbon finance and trading, and infrastructure law, with a particular emphasis on renewable energy. Initially focused on UK wind, his practice has since broadened its remit to cover waste-to-energy, biomass and green waste concessions as well.

Humphries meanwhile focuses on energy trading, commodities, and the development, financing, acquisition and sale of energy companies and assets.

The move comes as Orrick seeks to bolster its European presence in sectors including energy and infrastructure, finance and technology. Colin Graham, who also came from Hogan Lovells, was one of five partners who joined Orrick’s London office in 2014.

The firm also opened an affiliated office in Côte d'Ivoire last year, a decision largely motivated by its ambition to boost its African energy practice.