POSITION DESCRIPTION

CORPORATE WEST (PROJECTS) 3-5 YEAR ASSOCIATE

Position Title / Associate
PQE Level / 3-5 years plus
Reports: / None
Key Partners: / Neil Donoghue and Mike Webster
The Corporate Department: / 24 Partners
44 Associates - the position is aimed at this level
20 Trainee solicitors
4 Professional Support Lawyer
1 Corporate Development Manager
Required Background
A 3-5 year lawyer with project development and/or M&A experience in one of more of the following industries:
  • Upstream oil and gas
  • Petrochemicals
  • Power
Ideally the candidate will have some exposure to project finance work.
Key Competencies/skills
  • High work standards
  • Ability to develop strong relationships with clients and to take responsibility for this relationship
  • Strong service orientation
  • Flexible work practices and ability to adapt style as required
  • Good communication skills
  • Ability to work well in both a team and individually
  • Willingness to learn
  • Client development and marketing skills

Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will come from a similar city Firm environment or may have gained their experience at a leading overseas Firm (particularly from jurisdictions where the regulatory issues are similar to those in the UK). The candidate will have the required expertise and project management skills to run deals autonomously and will have strong business development skills. Whilst historically this group has focussed on the project development side - it is important that the candidate is also able to undertake wider corporate-based work.
The Practice Group/Incentive to join
  • Cross-boarder work involving high profile clients and high quality work
  • Opportunity to join a growing team with a strong reputation in this area which continues to strengthen
  • Market leaders in the petrochemical industry and developing specialist skills in midstream oil and gas
  • Opportunities to travel

Sample of Current work:
  • Acting for BP Chemicals on the 1 billion acquisition of Solvay SA's total share of the BP Solvay High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) joint ventures which were established in August 2001.
  • Advising PetroChina Company Limited on its proposed acquisition of the overseas assets from its parent, China National Petroleum Corporation, China's largest oil producer, for US$2.5 billion involving 10 jurisdictions. The acquisition will allow PetroChina to own 50% interest in Newco, a subsidiary of CNPC, by cash injection. It will give PetroChina access of Newco's oil and gas assets.

The Practice
The Projects group have been been involved some of the largest and most complex oil and gas transactions and have an outstanding track record in acting on innovative, multi-jurisdictional deals.
Our lawyers work on an integrated basis and cover the full range of Corporate energy transactions from upstream to downstream, including pipelines, LNG, distribution networks, trading and petrochemicals.
As a dedicated practice within the Baker & McKenzie network, the team has developed an unrivalled level of know-how available on a global basis. Consistently ranked among the top law firms in the oil and gas sector, we are able to combine industry know-how and local experience in a number of high-profile and award winning deals.

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