Lewis Mcdonald Email and Phone Number

Energy is the biggest of our sector focus groups at HSF and we have been a leading firm in this sector for many decades now. We have a genuinely global, cross-practice team that is absolutely focused on helping our energy sector clients achieve success in relation to their biggest opportunities and challenges.We are thought leaders in the industry and determined to help our clients navigate and support the various energy transitions taking place in countries around the world.

I have been with HSF since January 2005 - almost 20 years. After 4 years as an energy lawyer at Mallesons in Perth, Australia, I started as an associate in the global energy team of HSF in our London office in January 2005. I worked on a range of energy projects, M&A and JVs across the energy value chain and completed a Secondment to BP’s gas, power & renewables team. Between March and July 2008, I was seconded to the energy team in our HK office. In October 2008, I moved to Singapore to be part of a new team to build up a SE Asia energy practice for the firm. We worked on a range of high profile project investments and M&A deals and built a tier one practice quickly. I was promoted to partner in May 2010. In April 2013, I moved to Seoul, Korea to start our Seoul office, as Managing Partner, Korea. We built a reputation as the leading international energy and disputes firm very quickly. We were ultimately awarded best international law firm in Korea in 2018. In September 2016, I was promoted to lead our 200 lawyer strong Corporate team across Asia. During my time in charge, we opened in Malaysia, integrated our Indonesia business and started a new JV in China. We experienced solid growth in our business over the time. In August 2017, I relocated to Tokyo, Japan, where I continued in my role in charge of the Asia Corporate team. In November 2018, I was promoted to lead our Global Energy Sector. In August 2019, I relocated back to London, England, where I have been since. In addition to leading the Global Energy Sector, I am part of our market-leading London-based energy team. I continue to run an active practice spanning the energy value chain. My various practice locations have given me a global perspective on the energy sector. My various roles have given me a broad range of skills (including leadership and negotiation skills), which can be brought to bear on project assignments.

In September 2016, I was promoted to lead our 200 lawyer strong Corporate team across Asia. During my time in charge, we opened in Malaysia, integrated our Indonesia business and started a new JV in China. We experienced solid growth in our business over the time.

I was responsible for starting our Seoul office and managing this office and our Korea practice. During this time, we built a fantastic team of around 20 people in Seoul, most of who were Koreans with international experience. We are now regarded as one of the best international law firms in the Korean market.

Seconded from Herbert Smith's Hong Kong office to Lazard, where I acted as legal counsel for their Australian, Singapore, Japan and Korea offices, reporting to the Lazard head office in New York.

Seconded from Herbert Smith to BP's Gas, Power & Renewables group in London, where I focussed on LNG trading

I trained as a solicitor at Mallesons and worked in the corporate resources group in the Perth office. I advised mainly on Western Australian energy projects and environmental law.

Seconded from Mallesons Stephen Jaques to Epic Energy in Perth, where I focussed on legal issues related to the Dampier to Bunbury Natural Gas Pipeline and Epic Energy's other Australian gas transmission pipelines. I also assisted with their tariff dispute with the gas regulator and sale process.