Pinsent Masons expands Energy expertise with team hire

Paul will join the firm's London office to further develop Pinsent Masons' hub for transactional oil and gas work. He will also be joined by Legal Directors John McSparran and Jane Chester, and Solicitor Katie Rich. 

Advising a broad international client base, Paul specialises in upstream joint ventures, project development, corporate and asset acquisitions and disposals as well as farm-in, petroleum concessions, production sharing contracts and O&G transportation, processing, marketing and sales. 

Paul has spent a decade working in house with Marathon Oil, Arco and ExxonMobil. During his career in private practice he has advised high profile energy clients including Tullow, E.ON, Total, OMV, EOG Resources and Impact Africa. He also advised on the divestment of Noble Energy in 2012. 

Paul joins from Bond Dickinson where he has been a partner in the oil and gas team since 2007. 

Bob Ruddiman, Partner and Head of the Energy sector at Pinsent Masons, said: 

"Paul is one of the UK's leading oil and gas practitioners and has an enviable reputation in London and overseas. His recruitment will strengthen our capability in the City, while his international expertise will also be of benefit to colleagues and clients in Asia Pacific and the Middle East. The global energy market is facing significant challenges at present, however this is a sector to which we have a long term commitment and in which we will continue to invest." 

Pinsent Masons has enhanced its multi-disciplinary energy team with a number of recent hires. Earlier this financial year the firm appointed energy and environment partner Georgie Messent, also from Bond Dickinson and energy employment specialist Katie Williams from Mackinnons. In 2013 the firm brought in energy disputes specialist John Gilbert from BP and George Booth from Clyde & Co, both in London.  

Michael Watson, Head of Projects at Pinsent Masons, said: 

"Paul brings specialist industry focus, contacts and experience, which will further enhance our project delivery capability. He is a ‘trophy hire’ and we’re very happy to give him the opportunity to operate from an international platform.” 

Paul is a member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiations and is ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500.