EY has announced an expansion to its UK Energy Law practice with the appointment of five new lawyers.
James Shawe, Joe Kelly, Madi Dacey and Peter Graystone all join the practice as Directors, while Olivia Ashill has been appointed as a qualified solicitor. The expansion follows the four Partner appointments to EY Energy Law in 2022 and adds significant energy real estate, construction and corporate expertise to the practice as it continues to support the development, investment in and financing of clean energy infrastructure projects.
The UK Government’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050 has led to a marked rise in renewable energy projects being undertaken across the public and private sector. This is driving demand for legal services as new facility sites are identified, planned and built.
James Shawe and Joe Kelly both specialise in the site development, sale, acquisition and financing of renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Between them, they have over twenty-five years’ experience advising developers, funders and financiers on real estate aspects of projects across all major areas of clean energy. They have advised on onshore and offshore wind, solar (ground mounted and rooftop), wave and tidal, biomass, anaerobic digestion, battery storage and electric vehicle charging points, as well as on large infrastructure projects such as interconnectors and offshore wind transmission assets.
Madi Dacey brings more than thirteen years’ experience of working alongside utility providers, developers, financiers and investment funds to EY’s practice. She has advised on the construction, operation and maintenance aspects of largescale international renewable energy projects across a wide range of technologies, including onshore and offshore wind, solar, battery storage and biomass.
Peter Graystone adds to the practice’s mergers and acquisitions expertise, specialising in advising on renewable energy project investments and acquisitions in the UK and Europe. He has acted for investors, including large pension funds and specialist clean energy funds, developers and lenders on a broad range of technologies ranging from onshore and offshore wind and solar to biomass, waste to energy and battery storage.
Charles Morrison, Partner and Head of EY’s UK Energy Law team, comments: “These appointments bring a wealth of specialist clean energy legal knowledge into our rapidly expanding practice, just as demand for this expertise rises throughout the market. In March the UK Government reaffirmed its commitment to reach Net Zero by 2050, and an ambitious rollout of clean energy infrastructure will be integral to meeting this target. These latest appointments ensure that EY continues to offer the highest quality of service to the developers and financiers planning, funding and constructing these facilities, helping the UK to achieve its ambitious climate goals.”
