Alon Gordon

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has advised Siccar Point Energy and its sponsors, Blackstone Energy Partners and Blue Water Energy, on the sale of Siccar Point Energy to Ithaca Energy. Siccar Point Energy is a full cycle production, development and exploration company focussed on high quality, low cost, long-life assets on the UK Continental Shelf with interests in four of the largest UK assets by remaining reserves. The consideration consists of an upfront payment of $1.1 billion plus up to $360 million of additional payments contingent on future developments and realised commodity prices. The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to complete around the end of Q2 2022. The Freshfields team is being led by partner-elect Alon Gordon and partners James Scott and Graham Watson. ENDS

Apr 8

1 min

Global law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) is advising China Investment Corporation, funds advised by Carlyle Group and CVC Capital Partners, founder Sam Laidlaw and certain management owners on the sale of the Neptune Energy group (excluding its business in Germany) to Eni, as well as on the inter-conditional sale of Neptune Energy’s Norway business to Vår Energi, for an aggregate enterprise value (subject to customary adjustments) of $4.9 billion. The sale is subject to customary conditions, including receipt of necessary regulatory and governmental clearances, and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024. Neptune Energy is an independent global exploration and production (E&P) company with operations across Europe, North Africa and Asia Pacific. The Freshfields team is being led by partners Graham Watson and Alon Gordon, with support from a team across the network, including partners Toby Bingley, Tom Godwin and Charles Hayes. BAHR is advising on Norwegian law matters, with a team led by partners Thomas Svensen and Trond Lingaas. Commenting on today’s announcement, Graham Watson said: “We are delighted to have supported Neptune Energy and its shareholders in reaching this key milestone in the Neptune Energy story, having advised since Neptune’s inception through the $3.9bn acquisition of ENGIE E&P International in 2017. These transactions are significant for the sector, and Neptune’s gas-weighted portfolio and new energy business will support energy transition targets.” Alon Gordon added: “It has been a privilege to accompany Neptune’s excellent team and its shareholders through the company’s formation and subsequent growth, including its acquisition of VNG Norge and several other transactions. We look forward to continuing the extraordinary journey as we work with the Neptune Energy, Eni and Vår Energi teams towards completion of this transaction.”

Jun 23

1 min

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (‘Freshfields’) has announced the appointment of 27 new partners with effect from 1 May 2022. The new partners are drawn from all of the firm’s market-leading practices and reflect the breadth and depth of Freshfields’ global expertise. The group brings diverse experience, skills and insights to the partnership. Freshfields’ Senior Partner Georgia Dawson said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome such a talented and diverse group of colleagues to our global partnership. We are excited about what they will bring to Freshfields and our clients, and the contribution they will make to the long-term success of the firm and the communities in which we live and work.” The full list of new partners is set out below: Antitrust, Competition and Trade Tom McGrath, London Merit Olthoff, Brussels Jan Rybnicek, Washington, DC Ermelinda Spinelli, Milan / Rome Dispute Resolution Nina Bayerl, Munich Kate Gough, London Eric Leikin, CE / Vienna Xin Liu, Hong Kong Daniel Travers, Düsseldorf Ricky Versteeg, London Anne-Laure Vincent, Paris Tom Walsh, New York Global Transactions Samira Afrasiabi, London Alon Gordon, London Sami Jebbour, Paris Ziyad Nassif, London Elizabeth Oberholzer, Munich Saloua Ouchan, Amsterdam Philipp Pütz, Düsseldorf Sarah Su, Hong Kong Johannes Vogel, Frankfurt David Yi, Hong Kong Tamara Young, London Zheng (Jonathan) Zhou, New York People & Reward Thomas Granetzny, Düsseldorf Frank Schaer, Frankfurt Tax Kathi Kubik, Vienna

Apr 7

1 min

Freshfields has advised Labora Holdings Limited, the parent company of City Electrical Factors (CEF), on its agreement to acquire Segen, a leading global distributor of residential and commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. Segen sells a range of renewable energy solutions, including energy storage systems (ESS) and EV charging equipment, to installers through its proprietary online portal. It is a market leader in the UK and South Africa with significant and expanding operations in Europe. The transaction is expected to close in Q4 2021, subject to regulatory and other approvals and conditions. The Freshfields team is being led by counsel Alon Gordon and partner Andrew Hutchings.

Sep 16

1 min

Ten law firm partners have been identified as the top U.K. M&A lawyers based in London for 2025, according to a dataset produced by MergerLinks. Samuel Newhouse of Latham & Watkins topped the rankings, and was found to have led on M&A transactions last year with a combined deal value of £54.05 billion. Newhouse was part of the Latham team which advised on the merger of mining giants Anglo American and Teck—creating a $53 billion combined group. Notably, every lawyer on the MergerLinks list of the top ten practitioners is male. The online platform’s final list is based on the total value of M&A transactions announced last year, and considers only those in which the respective lawyers led teams in which their firm was the primary legal adviser. The list also features top names from Freshfields, Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom, Cravath Swaine & Moore, A&O Shearman and Slaughter and May. Freshfields partner Stephen Hewes was in second place on the list, having led on deals with a combined value of £21.9 billion, while Skadden partner Denis Klimentchenko was in third place with an equivalent figure of £15.8 billion. Freshfields' Hewes advised on CVC's acquisition of Smiths Detection from Smiths Group for £2 billion in December 2025, with Latham & Watkins also leading on the deal.

Mar 3

1 min