Allen & Overy
Law Firm of the Year
What is it?
Allen & Overy is one of the biggest law firms in the world, with more than 28 offices employing 5,000 staff. Six partners out of a total of 470 work in the water sector, as part of the Energy and Infrastructure group.
What has it done?
Allen & Overy recently advised the Greensands consortium on its £4.195 billion acquisition of Southern Water. The Southern Water transaction was one of the largest buyouts (in value terms) in Europe in 2007. It has also advised on numerous water financings and refinancings (Anglian Water and South Staffordshire Water), project financing (Jubail desalination project for Marafiq, Fujairah 2 IWPP, and Shuqaiq IWPP), and is currently advising on the Ad Dur, Salalah, Ras Azzour and Yanbu IWPPs.
What makes it special?
- In the 'Magic Circle' of top London law firms, Allen & Overy is arguably was one of the first law firms to enter the Middle Eastern market, and the investment has produced results: it is now one of the most active companies in the region.
- The company continues to play a major role in UK water acquisitions.