Biography
David Wilhelm is a member of the Firm's Energy and Infrastructure law practices in the Czech Republic. He focuses on energy, construction and general corporate law matters. In addition, David advises clients in connection with environmental law matters relating to energy infrastructure and public procurement matters.
In the area of construction law, David advised NET4GAS, s.r.o., a Czech gas transmission system operator, in connection with the construction of Gazelle, the 160 km long gas pipeline in the Czech Republic representing an extension of the Nord Stream and Opal transmission systems.
In the area of project financing, David advised Česká exportní banka (Czech Export Bank) in connection with the Adularya Enerji Elektrik Üretimi project for the purchase of mining equipment and the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Türkiye.
He regularly serves as a judge in the national rounds of the Philip C. Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition, and as an arbitrator in the national pre-moots of the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot Competition.
David Wilhelm joined the Prague office of White & Case after having graduated from Masaryk University in Brno.
Experience
VIFOR wind farm
Advising a club of eight commercial banks and international financial institutions on the up-to-€291 million financing of the construction of the 461MW VIFOR wind farm in Romania, which will be one of Europe's largest onshore wind farms.
The Czech Ministry of Transport
The Czech Ministry of Transport before and during a tender for the selection of a concessionaire for the PPP D4 project, which is a first ever infrastructure/road PPP project in the Czech Republic to successfully reach financial close.
NET4GAS
Representing NET4GAS, acting as the gas TSO in the Czech Republic, in connection with (i) the construction of several gas pipelines designed to increase the gas transmission capacity available in the Czech Republic, and (ii) the obtainment of third party access and ownership unbundling exemptions under the applicable EU legislation.
MVM Group
Representation of Hungary's state-owned energy group MVM on the acquisition of the entire share capital in innogy Česká republika, a.s. (innogy) from innogy Beteiligungsholding GmbH, a member of the innogy/E.ON Group.
ČEZ Distribuce
Advising ČEZ Distribuce, the DSO, on matters relating to the consequences of increased grid connections for solar power plants in the Czech Republic, including advice on the interpretation of the applicable renewable energy laws, advising on the implementation of legislative changes, as well as the review and amendment of contractual documents governing grid connections and the purchase of electricity.
Renewables
Advising several clients in connection with construction, permitting and contractual arrangements relating to renewable energy sources, including due diligence exercises.
Ranked as a Leading associate for Projects and PPP
(Legal 500, 2024)
Ranked as a Rising star for Projects and PPP
(Legal 500, 2022, 2023)
Co-author of the first-ever edition of commentary to the Act No. 165/2012 Coll., on Promoted Energy Sources, 2023.