Lewis McDonald to lead Herbert Smith Freehills' global energy team

Partner Lewis McDonald has been appointed to lead Herbert Smith Freehills' global energy team.

With over 150 partners, the energy sector team is one of the firm’s largest. It advises the world’s leading energy companies on all aspects of their businesses, investments and projects, and spans all key jurisdictions with partners on the ground in every critical energy market.

An energy specialist, Lewis has over 18 years' experience in complex energy projects and investments around the world. He currently leads the firm's corporate practice in Asia and will cover both roles until the Asia corporate role is reallocated in May 2019. He has held various management and leadership roles in the firm and has been based in Asia for the past 10 years, prior to which he was based in Perth and London.

"The firm's energy practice is a global market leader," said CEO Mark Rigotti. "Lewis' experience and his relationships across our network will enable him to build on our current success."

"It will be a privilege to lead one of the firm's strongest sectors at such a dynamic time for the energy industry," said Lewis.

“The demand for cheaper, cleaner, more efficient and more reliable energy supplies around the world is driving unprecedented transformation, enabled by technology, innovation and new infrastructure.”

"My aim in the role is to leverage the vast experience and expertise of our firm to partner with our clients to successfully evolve their businesses in response to the disruption they face."

Lewis succeeds Perth-based partner Robert Merrick. A leading name in the global oil and gas market, Robert will continue his work in the Australian and Asia-Pacific energy markets and will continue to form part of the firm’s broader energy sector leadership group.

​ABOUT LEWIS

Lewis began his legal career in Perth, Australia, and joined then Herbert Smith in London in 2005. He also worked in the firm's Hong Kong and Singapore offices and was promoted to partner in 2010. He moved to Seoul in 2013 to establish the firm's office in South Korea, before transferring to the firm's Tokyo office in 2017 to lead the Asian corporate practice.

He holds bachelor's degrees in law and environmental science from the University of Western Australia. Lewis holds practising certificates in England & Wales and Western Australia, and is licensed to advise in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi.