Robin Mizrahi, who specializes in project finance, energy and infrastructure particularly in emerging markets, has joined law firm Baker Botts as a partner in the firm's London office.

Robin's experience includes transactions in the power sector as well as in the transportation, oil and gas, mining and industrial sectors. He has advised sponsors, lenders and government entities in connection with the development and financing of large projects -- as well as acquisitions and privatizations -- with a focus on emerging markets including Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Baker Botts Managing Partner Andrew Baker said:

"Robin brings a wealth of legal talent to the firm and our London office, which will strengthen our project finance capabilities for clients interested in emerging markets around the globe. Robin is an exciting addition to our Global Projects team with excellent experience across Africa, and demonstrates our commitment to bringing highly skilled lawyers into our firm."

As part of his extensive work in emerging markets, he has advised on several transactions and projects involving major development institutions and export credit agencies, including:

• Representing Sithe Energies and Industrial Promotion Services (an affiliate of the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development) in connection with the development and US$682 million debt financing of the 250 MW Bujagali hydroelectric power project on the River Nile in Uganda. This is one of the largest power sector project financings in Sub-Saharan Africa, involving 10 lenders before syndication; and
• Representing a consortium formed by AES and Mitsui in connection with the successful bids for the 370 MW gas-fired Amman East power project - Jordan's first IPP - and the 250 MW HFO IPP4 power project, also in Jordan.

Steven Wardlaw, Partner in Charge of Baker Botts'London office, said:

"We are excited about Robin's appointment, which highlights our commitment to building our London office into one of the premier resources for project finance and transactional work in Europe. We will continue to recruit legal talent in order to provide the highest level of service on the broad range of complex issues our clients face each day. We expect the demand for project finance to remain very strong with emerging economies planning unprecedented levels of investment in their infrastructure. Robin's recruitment leaves us well placed for such opportunities."

In addition to his project finance and privatizations work, Mizrahi represents clients in antitrust and trade regulation, and mergers and acquisitions matters. Prior to joining Baker Botts, he was a partner with Chadbourne & Parke LLP. He is a graduate of the Universite libre de Bruxelles and The London School of Economics and Political Science.