Project Finance Lawyer Jeff Layman Strengthens Baker Botts L.L.P.'s Foothold in Asia

BEIJING, Jan. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Jeff Layman, one of the leading infrastructure finance lawyers in China, has joined Baker Botts L.L.P. as a partner in the firm's Global Projects group in its Beijing office. Over the course of his career, Layman has been involved in many of the most groundbreaking transactions involving Chinese companies.

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"We are committed to expanding our Asia practice capabilities and serving our clients in China and throughout the region," said Baker Botts Managing Partner Walt Smith. "With China's growing presence in global business, Jeff's experience and his reputation as an excellent lawyer supports further development of our projects practice internationally."

Layman has represented sponsors and lenders in the development, construction and financing of infrastructure projects in thermal power, waste to energy, coal gasification, wind energy, desalination and wastewater treatment facilities. His recent transactions include advising the project sponsors in the development and financing of the largest greenfield power financing in the Philippines in over a decade and the first non-recourse overseas power project financing by China Development Bank and Sinosure (China Law & Practice 2010 Project Finance Deal of the Year). He also advised the Japanese sponsors in negotiations with the Asian Development Bank on the development and financing of a wind farm in Inner Mongolia (Project Finance Magazine 2009 Renewables Deal of the Year).  

His projects background includes a two-year secondment to the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in Washington D.C., where he worked on a range of IFC private sector, senior secured, mezzanine and equity financing structures in financial services, manufacturing, environmental finance and agribusiness sectors. In addition to his China experience, Layman has also advised on projects in Mongolia, Korea, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines. Chambers Asia includes Layman as one of Asia’s leading business lawyers and describes him as “a conclusive choice for deals involving Chinese counterparties.”

Layman joined Baker Botts from the Beijing and Hong Kong offices of Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy L.L.P. He is fluent in written Chinese and spoken Mandarin.

“As China’s financial institutions emerge as global players financing China-based sponsors, contractors and equipment suppliers participating in global infrastructure projects, international legal counsel in Beijing will need well-honed project execution skills at a senior level and a successful track record of doing deals with Chinese clients,” said John Kuzmik, Partner in Charge of Baker Botts’ Asia practice.  “Jeff has the experience to handle complex transactions for China-based clients.”

Additional information about the Beijing office of Baker Botts is available here.

SOURCE Baker Botts L.L.P.