Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie took home the "Renewables & Energy Transition" and "Digital Infrastructure" awards at the IJInvestor Awards 2021 yesterday.
In addition, Trench Rossi Watanabe, a Brazilian law firm with strategic cooperation agreement with Baker McKenzie, was recognized in the "Conventional Power & Grid Infrastructure" category.
The IJInvestor Awards are dedicated to funds and M&A activity in the energy and infrastructure markets and recognize the companies, deals and individuals who make it all happen for the most exciting market developments of the year. An international judging committee of established professionals in the infrastructure and energy markets review submissions and take a view on that company’s performance in the previous years.
Commenting on the awards, José Morán, chair of the Firm's Energy, Mining & Infrastructure Industry Group said, "We are honored to be recognized by the IJInvestor Awards. These awards are a reflection of our commitment and successes in assisting clients transition their businesses as they grapple with climate change and modernizing essential infrastructure."
IJInvestor recognized the following transactions:
Renewables & Energy Transition: JBIC / FirstElement Fuel Inc. deal
Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) made an equity investment into FirstElement Fuel Inc. (FEF) in the United States. FEF operates hydrogen stations in 20 locations across the State of California, which is one of the largest markets for hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) globally. JBIC has entered into a shareholders' agreement for a joint investment with Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (Mitsui), of up to approximately USD 23 million (JBIC portion). Baker McKenzie performed legal due diligence on FEF and assisted JBIC in the documentation and negotiation of the shareholders' agreement and the equity investment related documents. The Baker McKenzie team was led by Emery Mitchell and Kosuke Suzuki.
Digital Infrastructure: AirTrunk / MIRA
Baker McKenzie acted as lead counsel for a MIRA-led consortium in relation to its acquisition of an 88 percent interest in the AirTrunk Group, a hyperscale data centre operator in the Asia Pacific region. The consortium, comprising Macquarie Asia Infrastructure Fund 2 and other MIRA co-investors, acquired its stake in the business from Goldman Sachs, Sixth Street Partners (formerly TSSP) and founder, Robin Khuda. The Baker McKenzie team was led Michael Kunstler, Simon De Young and Lewis Apostolou.
Conventional Power & Grid Infrastructure: SPIC / GNA deal
Trench Rossi Watanabe, in cooperation with Baker McKenzie International, helped the Brazilian subsidiary of China’s State Power Investment Corporation (SPIC) enter an agreement with German conglomerate Siemens, British oil giant BP and Brazilian logistics company, Prumo to buy a share in their joint Brazilian thermal power project. The Trench Rossi Watanabe team was led by J. Roberto Martins and Mauricio Pacheco.