Baker & McKenzie

Sector: Corporate

Employees:

> 3,400 lawyers in 70 offices in 38 countries

TARGETS

Currently being developed.

Achievements

> Ranked among the top three law firms in the "Global Environment Super League 2006", Practical Law Company.
> "2006 Best Law Firm for EU Emissions Trading" and "2006 Best Law Firm for Kyoto Project Credits", Environmental Finance magazine.
> "2005 Best Law Firm for Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Markets", Environmental Finance magazine.
> "2004 Best Service Provider for the EU Emissions Trade Award", International Quality and Productivity Center, IQPC.
> "2004 Environmental Practice of the Year", Australian Law Awards.
> "Leading Australian Environment practice", APL500 and IFLR1000.

Benefits

> With its significant experience in multiple jurisdictions, Baker & McKenzie has an understanding of the key opportunities and risks that environmental and climate law and policy presents and are well positioned to represent and advise clients on the full range of local and international environmental and climate change issues.

Low Carbon Solutions

Background

Established in 1949, Baker & McKenzie has developed a network of over 3000 lawyers in 70 offices in 38 countries around the world. In 1998, Baker & McKenzie decided that the developing laws relating to climate change and the control of greenhouse gas emissions was an area that would increasingly impact upon its clients. As such, the firm invested in building a global climate change practice, founded by leading international environmental law expert James Cameron, bringing the leading climate change lawyers to the firm. Consequently, Baker & McKenzie has the world’s largest and most experienced team of climate change lawyers working in developed, developing and least developed country (LDC) jurisdictions. The firm has continued to develop its global expertise in this area and has provided legal advice on nearly all of the major international carbon transactions and carbon projects, and given assistance to many countries in the development of climate laws, including the clean development mechanism (CDM) and joint implementation (JI) projects.

> Baker & McKenzie offer a range of electronic resources designed to inform clients of pertinent legal issues including ‘Climate Change Alerts’ and ‘Global Environment Newsletters’.
> The firm hosts an annual International Environmental Conference for companies that are interested in environmental initiatives.

Baker & McKenzie’s experience and expertise in climate change and environmental law and regulation can help clients with compliance with corporate management, enforcement and litigation, transactions, and policy development and negotiations. Some specific examples include:
> advising on international, regional and domestic, climate and environmental law and policy and drafting for negotiations;
> assisting with the design of and participation in new environmental markets and trading regimes in the renewable energy, carbon, water and biodiversity areas; and subsequently advising corporations in the development of these, e.g. greenhouse and climate change policies, carbon trading strategies and market analysis;
> advising on and structuring of, early climate change and renewable energy projects, including project development, financing, support agreements, certifications, grid connections, taxes, credits and acquisitions;
> assisting with carbon project financing;
> advising ethical investment and technology funds;
> advising forestry managers, investors and brokers on developing and securing rights over carbon sinks;
> counsel buyers, sellers, lessors, lessees, borrowers and lending institutions regarding the environmental ramifications of acquisitions and sales, securities matters, mergers and joint ventures, financings, foreclosures and other transactions, including disclosure obligations.