International law firm Bird & Bird today expands its Energy & Utilities sector group with the appointment of Sibylle Weiler as a partner in its Corporate practice, based in Paris.
Sibylle is an energy specialist advising on corporate, financing and project-related matters with a particular focus on renewables. Her practice spans across both France and Germany having worked at Sterr-Kölln & Partner in Paris where she was Managing Partner for over 13 years managing transactions and financing involving French, German and international clients. Sibylle specifically advises project developers and utilities on all aspects of the development process and contractual schemes to be implemented, investors on renewables transactions and banks on project financing, including French, German and English documentation.
Her particular expertise includes corporate M&A transactions, acting for banks on the project financing for renewable energy projects (loan agreements and securities concepts, legal opinions); setting up energy trading-related contracts; providing due diligence reports and acquisitions concepts for energy-related projects; negotiating FIDIC based and EPC contracts as well as technical and commercial management agreements and advising on project development services. Sibylle has been a Member of the Steering Committee (comité de pilotage) of the German-French Office for Renewable Energy (OFAENR) and qualified to practice as both an Avocat in France and Rechtsanwältin in Germany.
Sibylle's appointment follows the recent hire of two highly regarded Energy & Utilities specialists in Bird & Bird's London and Rome offices: Conrad Purcell and Pierpaolo Mastromarini. Sibylle will work closely with Pierpaolo and Conrad, both project finance partners with extensive knowledge of the Energy & Utilities sector, as well as Bird & Bird's Corporate, Commercial and Banking & Finance teams in France, Germany and internationally.
Joining with Sibylle from Sterr-Kölln & Partner is renewable energy Counsel Ann-Claire Beauté.
Alexandre Vuchot, Managing Partner of Bird & Bird France says: "France is currently one of the most attractive and secure European markets for renewables and our clients regularly ask for support with their investments into the Energy & Utilities sector. Sibylle's appointment will not only increase our capabilities in the renewables space in France but also in Germany and across the firm's European offices. I am very much looking forward to her joining the team."
Matt Bonass, Chair and Co-Head of Bird & Bird's international Energy & Utilities sector group comments: "The arrival of Sibylle is a key part of our international strategy – to develop a leading Energy & Utilities practice in France. Sibylle's extensive expertise advising clients on corporate, financing and energy matters, with a particular focus on renewables, in both France and Germany will significantly boost our expertise in this area."
Sibylle adds: "I am very much looking forward to joining Bird & Bird. The firm's broad and integrated international offering will enable me to grow my practice and build a market leading renewable energy practice in Paris in close cooperation with colleagues in other jurisdictions including Germany, the UK and the wider Energy & Utilities sector group."
