Orrick has hired Simon Ratledge, a leading practitioner focused on project finance in emerging countries and in Africa, to join the firm’s Energy & Infrastructure group in Paris.

Ratledge joins Orrick from Simmons & Simmons.

Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global for International Projects, Ratledge advises on major projects and financings across Africa.

Over the past 20 years, he has represented project finance clients, including major development banks and other lenders, in the power/renewables, mining, petrochemicals, oil and gas and transport/social infrastructure sectors.

He has recently advised on project financings involving AFD, DEG, EBRD, EIB, EKF, IFC, KfW, Proparco, JBIC and KEXIM, among others.

Commenting on his appointment, Ratledge said: “Orrick has emerged as one of the leading international firm practices focused on Africa, with a team that is playing a key role in many of the most significant projects underway on the continent.”

“The firm’s commitment to Africa is serious and palpable, and I’m excited to be part of the continuing growth of this exceptional platform,” he added.

Ratledge previously served as co-head of Linklaters' North Africa practice.

He is dual qualified as Avocat à la Cour de Paris and Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales.

“We are honored to welcome a practitioner of Simon’s caliber to our Africa team,” said Pascal Agboyibor, Head of Orrick’s Africa practice.

“The volume and sophistication of investment and development in Africa today is unprecedented, and Simon adds to our team preeminent skills representing development banks and other lenders involved in these projects,” he added.

Ratledge is the seventh dedicated Energy & Infrastructure partner to join the firm’s European team since 2015.

Earlier this year, Orrick added to its London office two energy sector practitioners with extensive experience in Africa: Peter Roberts, who joined from Andrews Kurth and serves as head of Orrick’s global Oil & Gas practice, and Weyinmi Popo, one of the most active practitioners focused on private equity investment into Africa, joined from Jones Day.

In addition, this year the firm launched a 38-lawyer Houston office to serve clients across all segments of the energy markets.

Orrick is a global law firm with a particular focus on serving companies in the technology, energy and financial sectors.