White & Case Honored by The International Who's Who of Project Finance Lawyers — 2007
March 26, 2007, Who's Who Legal

Art Scavone was named one the ten best global project finance lawyers in the world by The International Who's Who of Project Finance Lawyers — 2007. In addition, the publication recognized White & Case's global finance practice as the world's best:

"White & Case shares the limelight with Allen & Overy — having reached a high point in December 2005 — successfully closing more than 100 project finance transactions, with a value of more than US$40 billion, in just two years. Like A&O, the firm also has 19 featured partners. These are spread across 10 countries, but the majority are based in either the US or England.

Arthur Scavone in New York stands out as a "phenomenal lawyer". Recognised for his infrastructure and industrial projects expertise, both at home and abroad, he is especially known for his wind farm work. Partner Troy Alexander is "one of the best in town" praise focused primarily on his energy work. Eugene Goodwillie, "one of the deans of the New York bar", has "significant experience" in foreign investment projects and international and domestic natural resource projects. Alexander Kritzalis completes the strong quartet from the firm's New York office. Kritzalis attracted considerable praise for his skill in handling Middle Eastern projects — he recently acted as lead counsel to the Abu Dhabi Water & Electricity Authority in connection with an independent water and power producer project.

Washington, DC is home to Edward Neaher, who is said to be "right up there with the best". Sources expressed particular approval for his work advising ITR Concession Company, a special purpose company formed by Cintra and Macquarie Infrastructure Group, in connection with the US$3.8 billion concession and lease of the Indiana Toll Road, and an associated US$4 billion non-recourse bank financing. Victor DeSantis is "absolutely first rate, an outstanding lawyer", well-known for international, multi lender project finance matters in Latin America. George Crozer's "expert knowledge" of the Asian market also attracted admiring comments. He was formerly the firm's executive partner of Asia and was based in Hong Kong. Oil and gas, power and telecommunications sector projects are reported as his areas of special expertise.

A quartet of lawyers from the firm's London office made strides in the nominations, led by Philip Stopford. He has an "awesome practice", which recently saw him engaged in the representation of project sponsors Qatar Petroleum and ConocoPhillips in relation to the financing of the US$5.8 billion Qatargas 3 LNG project, and separately, the sponsors Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Chevron, ConocoPhilips and Eni in connection with the financing of the two-train onshore US$6 billion Brass LNG plant in Nigeria. Senior partner Peter Finlay ("very good") secures another nomination on behalf of the London office. Craig Nethercott, who is primarily known for his work on behalf of Saudi Aramco (regarding the financing of the US$9.6 billion Rabigh refinery project in Saudi Arabia), and for acting for Oman Oil, Alcan, ADWEA, and the project company in the development and financing of the US$2 billion greenfield aluminium smelter in Oman, is likewise "a very worthy" nominee. John Bellhouse is recognised for his infrastructure expertise.

White & Case's expertise is by no means confined to the major global financial centres, however. Hugh Verrier, the managing partner of the firm's Moscow office, is also the most highly nominated lawyer in the Russia research. Brian Miller in Singapore was described by one source as "brilliant — the best power lawyer in Asia". He has worked on projects in China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. The Beijing office is led by Xiaoming Li, whose "terrific credentials" include the representation of Guangdong Nuclear Power Group in its proposed financing of a new power plant. John Janks is among the most heavily nominated lawyers in South Africa, known for his work across the southern part of the continent. Ariel Ramos in Mexico is noted for his infrastructure work. In Turkey, Asli Basgoz's nomination was a "certainty". Witold Jurcewicz topped the research in Poland. Finally, Paule Biensan in Paris is also highly rated. With a client list that includes BNP Paribas and Banco Santander, she is particularly well known in local circles for her work on behalf of Calyon and Natexis on the first PPP financing of four prisons in France."

The above excerpted from: The International Who's Who of Project Finance Lawyers — 2007

 

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