The energy and infrastructure expert has extensive overseas experience, having been based in Tokyo and Singapore for a decade
K&L Gates has boosted its energy, infrastructure and resources team in Melbourne with the hire of a new special counsel, who just recently returned to Australia.
Matthew O’Connor has been appointed as a special counsel by the global firm. He moves from national firm Mills Oakley, where he spent six months after moving back to the country from the Tokyo base of top American firm Paul Hastings.
O’Connor, who has a decade’s worth of experience in Japan and Singapore, was also previously with Ashurst, Corrs Chambers Westgarth, and Allens.
The appointment in Melbourne also comes after the firm welcomed partners Luke Westmore and Zac Kerr in the city. Westmore and Kerr also moved from Mills Oakley.
O’Connor is a specialist in project finance, with a particular focus on the limited recourse financing of large-scale renewable and traditional energy, utilities, and infrastructure assets. He has particular expertise in advising lenders and sponsors on the full range of finance documentation and issues relating to the financing, structuring, and acquisition of projects in a wide range of asset classes, both domestically and off-shore.
K&L Gates also recently elevated two lawyers in Australia to its global partnership.
Matthew O’Connor
