McDermott adds leading energy partner Lewis McDonald in London

Global law firm McDermott Will & Schulte has announced that Lewis McDonald, a leading figure in the London energy market, will join the firm’s London office as a partner, significantly strengthening McDermott’s global energy and transactions platform.

He is recognised for advising clients at the intersection of traditional energy and the energy transition and has acted for many of the world’s leading energy companies.

Joining from Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer, where he led the firm’s Global Energy Practice, Lewis brings more than 25 years’ experience advising energy companies, sponsors and investors on complex cross border M&A, joint ventures and project development across oil and gas, LNG, power and renewables.

His practice spans developed and emerging markets, with particular depth advising Asian clients, having spent more than a decade on the ground in Asia across Singapore, Seoul and Tokyo.

Harris Siskind, global head of McDermott’s Transactions Practice Group, commented: “Energy markets are becoming more complex and interconnected, and clients are looking for clear, commercial advice across the full spectrum of energy and infrastructure. Lewis brings a rare combination of sector depth and transactional experience that will help us guide clients through cross-border M&A and strategic investments with greater precision and confidence.”

Lewis will be instrumental in the continued expansion of McDermott’s European Energy practice. He will work alongside our expanding US Energy team, including recent hires Sebastian Chan and Eli Humphries, to deliver fully integrated support on global growth, investment and consolidation mandates.

Aymen Mahmoud, London office managing partner, added: “Lewis is a standout addition to our London team at a pivotal time for the energy sector. His arrival reinforces our position in Europe and strengthens how we connect our London office with our US platform. For clients, that translates into seamless support across jurisdictions and across the full investment lifecycle.”

Commenting on his move, Lewis said: “McDermott has the scale, platform and ambition to build a leading European Energy practice. I’m excited to join and support clients as they navigate complex global energy markets, drawing on the firm’s strength across traditional energy, renewables and private capital.”