Featured Stories
Simpson Thacher Further Strengthens Market- Leading Asset Management Platform
NEW YORK, Oct. 8 -- Simpson Thacher and Bartlett, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Simpson Thacher Further Strengthens Market- Leading Asset Management Platform
10.01.26
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP today announced that Brian Parness, Simon Saitowitz, Andrew Nichol, Corey Dietrich and Alexander Miachika have joined, and that Charles Cooper-Isow will join, the Firm as Partners, further expanding capabilities across asset management M&A, GP-stakes transactions, secondaries and other strategic sponsor transactions. Brian will lead the Firm's Sponsor Transactions and Advisory
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NEW YORK, Oct. 8 -- Simpson Thacher and Bartlett, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Simpson Thacher Further Strengthens Market- Leading Asset Management Platform
10.01.26
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP today announced that Brian Parness, Simon Saitowitz, Andrew Nichol, Corey Dietrich and Alexander Miachika have joined, and that Charles Cooper-Isow will join, the Firm as Partners, further expanding capabilities across asset management M&A, GP-stakes transactions, secondaries and other strategic sponsor transactions. Brian will lead the Firm's Sponsor Transactions and AdvisoryPractice, a multidisciplinary team that encompasses the full suite of asset manager-related transactions, including M&A, GP-stakes, strategic partnerships and secondary liquidity solutions.
"Simpson Thacher provides outstanding integrated, holistic support across asset manager transactions, investment funds and related sponsor advisory matters to our private equity sponsor and asset manager clients," said Alden Millard, Chair of Simpson Thacher's Executive Committee. "With deep expertise across these areas, Brian, Simon, Andrew, Corey, Alexander and Charles add significant firepower to our exceptional bench."
"The market for strategic transactions involving alternative asset managers has become one of the most dynamic areas of private capital," said Elizabeth Cooper, Global Head of Private Equity at Simpson Thacher. "Asset manager consolidation, the maturity of the GP-stakes market and the continued demand for sophisticated liquidity solutions are creating transformative opportunities for private equity sponsors and asset managers."
"The funds landscape continues to evolve. In tandem with Stephanie Srulowitz's recent joining, the addition of this New York-London team brings the sector knowledge, market relationships and execution experience clients need as these transactions become more complex, global and interconnected across transaction types and jurisdictions," said Michael Wolitzer, Chair of Funds and Funds Adjacencies at Simpson Thacher.
"Simpson Thacher has built one of the world's premier platforms for advising private equity sponsors and asset managers on their most important strategic transactions and fund-related matters," said Brian. "The Firm's strength across M&A, investment funds and transactions, registered funds, insurance, tax and executive compensation creates a powerful foundation for a seamless Sponsor Transactions and Advisory Practice. I am excited to further expand these capabilities with best-in-class colleagues in New York, London and across the Firm."
Brian, Simon, Andrew, Corey, Alexander and Charles bring extensive experience advising the world's leading asset managers, private equity sponsors and institutional investors on the strategic transactions and advisory matters that shape alternative asset management businesses, including GP-stakes transactions, GP-led secondary transactions, continuation fund vehicles, seed and strategic investments, succession planning, platform investments and governance structuring. The team regularly represents both buy-side and sell-side participants in complex transactions involving alternative asset management firms across strategies, geographies and asset classes. The team has been recognized by leading industry and legal publications, including Chambers, The Legal 500, Law360 and Secondaries Investor, for their work across asset management M&A, private equity and secondaries.
Drawing on its leading private equity, M&A, investment funds, fund transactions, tax, executive compensation, regulatory and financing capabilities, Simpson Thacher serves many of the world's most sophisticated private equity sponsors and asset managers. The Firm's Sponsor Transactions and Advisory Practice provides complementary capabilities across the Firm to deliver coordinated advice on GP-stakes sales and acquisitions, secondary transactions, continuation fund vehicles, strategic M&A, governance and succession planning, and platform investments.
For more information, please click here (https://www.stblaw.com/docs/default-source/related-link-pdfs/simpson-thacher-further-strengthens-market-leading-asset-management-platform.pdf?sfvrsn=4387421_2).
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Original text here: https://www.stblaw.com/about-us/news/view/2026/10/01/simpson-thacher-further-strengthens-market--leading-asset-management-platform
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Pillsbury: Nina Martinez Honored With Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence Award for Labor & Employment Law
NEW YORK, Oct. 8 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Nina Martinez Honored with Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence Award for Labor & Employment Law
10.07.26
Pillsbury Litigation counsel Nina Martinez has been honored with the Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence award in the Labor and Employment Law category, recognizing her professional accomplishments and contributions to the Miami-Dade legal community.
Each year, the Miami-Dade Bar selects attorneys and paralegals who exemplify the values and ethics of those in the legal industry in Florida.
Winners
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NEW YORK, Oct. 8 -- Pillsbury, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Nina Martinez Honored with Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence Award for Labor & Employment Law
10.07.26
Pillsbury Litigation counsel Nina Martinez has been honored with the Miami-Dade Bar's Circle of Excellence award in the Labor and Employment Law category, recognizing her professional accomplishments and contributions to the Miami-Dade legal community.
Each year, the Miami-Dade Bar selects attorneys and paralegals who exemplify the values and ethics of those in the legal industry in Florida.
Winnersare submitted by their peers and the bar recognizes those nominees who personify excellence in the legal profession.
Martinez focuses her practice on employment issues, providing clients with advice and counsel in crafting workplace policies, negotiating employment agreements and addressing discrimination and harassment claims.
She provides clients with deliberate and thoughtful solutions bolstered by her extensive experience in all aspects of litigation, including conducting case investigations, written and oral discovery, motion practice, mediation and settlement.
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Original text here: https://www.pillsburylaw.com/en/news-and-insights/nina-martinez-miami-dade-bar-circle-of-excellence-award.html
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Najwan Nayef Elected to McGuireWoods Partnership, Bringing Global Perspective to Firm's Energy Practice
RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 8 -- McGuireWoods, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Najwan Nayef Elected to McGuireWoods Partnership, Bringing Global Perspective to Firm's Energy Practice
October 7, 2026
McGuireWoods elevated Houston counsel Najwan Nayef to the firm's partnership, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Nayef brings more than 20 years of experience in domestic and international transactions to the firm's Energy M&A and Finance Practice Group.
Nayef advises regulated electric utilities, project developers, technology companies, industrial manufacturers and energy infrastructure
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RICHMOND, Virginia, Oct. 8 -- McGuireWoods, a law firm, issued the following news release:
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Najwan Nayef Elected to McGuireWoods Partnership, Bringing Global Perspective to Firm's Energy Practice
October 7, 2026
McGuireWoods elevated Houston counsel Najwan Nayef to the firm's partnership, effective Oct. 1, 2026. Nayef brings more than 20 years of experience in domestic and international transactions to the firm's Energy M&A and Finance Practice Group.
Nayef advises regulated electric utilities, project developers, technology companies, industrial manufacturers and energy infrastructureowners on the development, financing, construction, operation and maintenance of complex energy and infrastructure projects. Her practice focuses on large-load utility infrastructure for data centers, utility-scale power generation and energy transition projects, where she handles special contracts; engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) agreements; and other key project agreements.
"Najwan's command of complex energy and utility infrastructure transactions, combined with her international experience, makes her a tremendous asset to our clients and our corporate platform," said Gerald V. Thomas II, McGuireWoods' deputy managing partner and head of corporate. "Her elevation reflects the trust she has earned from clients, and we are proud to welcome her to the partnership."
"Najwan brings deep industry knowledge and a global perspective to our practice," added David Hornyak, chair of McGuireWoods' Mergers & Acquisitions and Energy Transactional Department. "As clients pursue new opportunities and cross-border investments, Najwan's judgment and international network make her an invaluable partner."
Before joining McGuireWoods, Nayef practiced as a solicitor in Australia. She also worked for international law firms in several jurisdictions, including Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. Drawing on that experience, she advises multinational clients across many areas of the law, including corporate transactions, foreign direct investment, energy transactions and international trade. She uses her international network of local counsel firms to help multinational clients in those regions. She is certified as a Foreign Legal Consultant by the State Bar of Texas.
"I am honored to join the McGuireWoods partnership and grateful to my colleagues for their support," said Nayef. "I look forward to continuing my work helping clients advance projects from concept to completion and connecting them with the resources they need to succeed."
McGuireWoods' Energy M&A and Finance Practice Group -- ranked nationally by Chambers USA, the Legal 500 United States and Best Law Firms -- combines focused industry knowledge, regulatory fluency and practical, business-driven solutions to ensure clients complete strategic transactions, secure financing and advance critical projects.
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Original text here: https://www.mcguirewoods.com/news/press-releases/2026/10/najwan-nayef-elected-to-mcguirewoods-partnership-bringing-global-perspective-to-firms-energy-practice/
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer Advogados Advise on Multiple Award-winning Transactions at LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 8 -- Mayer Brown, a law firm, issued the following news:
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07 October 2026
Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer Advogados advise on multiple award-winning transactions at LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards
Mayer Brown advised on three transactions recognized at LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards, including one transaction on which it worked together with Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown. The awards recognize outstanding transactions and institutions in project and infrastructure finance across
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CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 8 -- Mayer Brown, a law firm, issued the following news:
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07 October 2026
Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer Advogados advise on multiple award-winning transactions at LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards
Mayer Brown advised on three transactions recognized at LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards, including one transaction on which it worked together with Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown. The awards recognize outstanding transactions and institutions in project and infrastructure finance acrossLatin America and the Caribbean.
The firm advised on the following award-winning transactions:
* Sustainable Infrastructure Deal of the Year: City of Bogota $600 million COP-denominated Green Bond
Mayer Brown advised the City of Bogota on its issuance of Rule 144A/Regulation S $600 million COP-denominated green notes due 2035. The transaction marked the first offering of its kind by a city in Latin America, with proceeds supporting eligible projects under the city's green development policies.
* Road Deal of the Year: Actis Acquisition Financing for Sacyr Toll Road Portfolio in Colombia
Mayer Brown represented JPMorgan Chase, as lender, on a credit agreement financing a portion of infrastructure investor Actis' acquisition from Sacyr of three highway concessions in Colombia covering 416 kilometers of roads.
* Mining Deal of the Year: Pela Ema $565 million Rare Earth Mine Financing
Mayer Brown and Tauil & Chequer Advogados advised the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) on the $565 million financing of SVRE Holdings Ltd. for the optimization and expansion of the Pela Ema rare earth mine in Brazil.
Read more about LatinFinance's 2026 Project & Infrastructure Finance Awards here (https://latinfinance.com/pifawinners/).
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Original text here: https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/news/2026/10/mayer-brown-and-tauil-chequer-advogados-advise-on-multiple-award-winning-transactions-at-latinfinance-project-infrastructure-finance-awards
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Mayer Brown Advises EnPower on Landmark Kalumbila-Kolwezi DRC-Zambia Power Interconnector
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 8 -- Mayer Brown, a law firm, issued the following news:
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07 October 2026
Mayer Brown advises EnPower on landmark Kalumbila-Kolwezi DRC-Zambia power interconnector
Paris - Mayer Brown advised Enterprise Power DRC SARL ("EnPower"), the original developer of the Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnector Project ("KKIP"), on the transaction bringing together EnPower, Gridworks Development Partners ("Gridworks"), the Strategic Investment Fund of the DRC ("FIS-RDC") and Trafigura to advance the development, financing and construction of the landmark 200km high-voltage transmission
... Show Full Article
CHICAGO, Illinois, Oct. 8 -- Mayer Brown, a law firm, issued the following news:
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07 October 2026
Mayer Brown advises EnPower on landmark Kalumbila-Kolwezi DRC-Zambia power interconnector
Paris - Mayer Brown advised Enterprise Power DRC SARL ("EnPower"), the original developer of the Kalumbila-Kolwezi Interconnector Project ("KKIP"), on the transaction bringing together EnPower, Gridworks Development Partners ("Gridworks"), the Strategic Investment Fund of the DRC ("FIS-RDC") and Trafigura to advance the development, financing and construction of the landmark 200km high-voltage transmissionline connecting Zambia's grid to the Copperbelt mining region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
KKIP will be the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission project of its kind on the African continent. The line will have a thermal capacity of 700MW, enabling up to 550MW of competitively priced electricity to be imported into the DRC's Copperbelt, a region facing a structural power deficit of more than 1GW currently met largely by costly diesel generation.
With an estimated construction cost of US$300 million, the project has reached the final stage of development and will strengthen the DRC's connection to the Southern African Power Pool. In particular, KKIP is expected to unlock new mining and refining capacity in the Copperbelt, create export opportunities for Zambian power producers and support broader regional power trading, while also providing capacity to serve the wider population in both countries.
Olivier Meledo, Global Co-Head of Mayer Brown's Africa Practice and a member of the Firm's Global Energy team, said:
"We are delighted to have supported EnPower on this landmark project. KKIP is the first privately developed and financed cross-border transmission project of its kind in Africa and demonstrates how private capital, working alongside sovereign investors and commodity partners, can deliver the regional interconnection infrastructure the continent needs. By bringing reliable, competitively priced power to the DRC's Copperbelt and opening new export routes for Zambian producers, the project will support significant industrial and economic development on both sides of the border. We look forward to continuing to support EnPower as the project moves towards execution phase."
The Mayer Brown team was led by Olivier Meledo in Paris, with support from partners Ross Montgomery (London), Fiona Gulliford (Singapore), counsel Avi Cohen (London) and associates Stephane Joly, Louise Libaud and Charles Mercuzot (Paris).
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URL: EnPower
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Original text here: https://www.mayerbrown.com/en/news/2026/10/mayer-brown-advises-enpower-on-landmark-kalumbila-kolwezi-drc-zambia-power-interconnector
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Littler: Dutch Self-Employed Persons Act - Clarity at Last After Ten Years?
SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 8 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dutch Self-Employed Persons Act: Clarity at Last After Ten Years?
By Eric A.V. van Dam
October 7, 2026
"Can I safely hire this self-employed person?" This has been a frequent client question in recent years.
This is not because they don't want to work with self-employed individuals. On the contrary. But there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the classification of employment relationships in the Netherlands. When is someone truly self-employed, and when does it turn out, in hindsight, that an
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SAN FRANCISCO, California, Oct. 8 -- Littler, a law firm, issued the following news:
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Dutch Self-Employed Persons Act: Clarity at Last After Ten Years?
By Eric A.V. van Dam
October 7, 2026
"Can I safely hire this self-employed person?" This has been a frequent client question in recent years.
This is not because they don't want to work with self-employed individuals. On the contrary. But there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding the classification of employment relationships in the Netherlands. When is someone truly self-employed, and when does it turn out, in hindsight, that anemployment contract was in place after all?
That uncertainty has consequences. Incorrect classification can lead to additional payroll tax assessments and fines for a client, among other things. We see the result in practice: organizations are becoming more cautious about hiring self-employed individuals.
After years of debate, the new Dutch Self-Employed Persons Act is set to change that.
Knowing where you stand in advance
On October 1, 2026, the online consultation for the Self-Employed Persons Act began. The goal sounds promising: greater clarity for both self-employed individuals and clients.
To that end, the bill introduces two tests: the self-employment test and the employment relationship test.
The self-employment test focuses on the entrepreneur or worker. According to the proposal, it considers three points:
1. The worker has had at least three clients in the current calendar year and the previous calendar year;
2. The worker spends a minimum amount on provisions to cover business risks; and
3. The basic requirements for working as a self-employed person are met.
In the third category, consider, for example, registration with the Chamber of Commerce, a VAT number, and a separate bank account for business transactions.
But simply being an entrepreneur is not enough. The specific assignment must also be consistent with self-employment.
The employment relationship test then examines the specific assignment. This involves four criteria that must be met:
1. The parties wish to work outside the framework of an employment contract;
2. The self-employed individual has freedom in performing the work;
3. The self-employed person has freedom in determining working hours and the workplace (except for location-bound and time-bound work); and
4. The self-employed person works at their own expense and risk.
The exact details of several criteria still need to be worked out and may change during the legislative process.
When do the tests provide certainty?
Anyone who meets both tests is assured that they are not working under supervision, meaning no employment contract exists. The government refers to this as a "safe harbor."
In addition, the "sham arrangement" principle still applies: If, during the course of the assignment, both tests are no longer met in practice, the safe harbor may no longer apply.
If both tests are not met, that does not automatically mean an employment contract exists. In that case, the safe harbor simply does not apply, and the employment relationship must be assessed according to the existing assessment framework.
With these criteria, the Self-Employed Persons Act introduces a new approach designed to provide greater clarity upfront. This allows the parties to better assess whether they can work together as a client and a self-employed person.
Clarity at last?
That remains to be seen in the coming period. This is still a draft bill. The online consultation runs through October 29, 2026, so the proposal may still change before it ultimately becomes law. Interested parties can submit feedback on the proposal via the online consultation (click here).
But above all, it is hoped there is an end in sight to an issue that has been preoccupying clients and self-employed individuals for about ten years.
The need we see in our practice is actually very simple: Clients want to be able to hire self-employed professionals without having to worry that, years later, it will turn out they did it wrong. And self-employed professionals want to be able to do business without constantly being asked whether a client still dares to hire them.
Whether this Self-Employed Persons Act is the solution remains to be seen. But after years of debate, clarity from the outset would already be a significant step forward.
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Authors
Eric van Dam
Office Managing Shareholder
Amsterdam
evandam@littler.nl
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Original text here: https://www.littler.com/news-analysis/asap/dutch-self-employed-persons-act-clarity-last-after-ten-years
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
Holland & Hart Advises EDF Power Solutions North America on Utah Solar 1 Energy Project
DENVER, Colorado, Oct. 8 -- Holland and Hart, a law firm, issued the following news:
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October 7, 2026
Holland & Hart Advises EDF power solutions North America on Utah Solar 1 Energy Project
Holland & Hart advised EDF power solutions North America in connection with its Utah Solar 1 Energy project, a 394-megawatt (MW)dc / 300 MWac solar facility located in Millard County, Utah. The firm has been supporting EDF's ongoing project development efforts and most recently served as real estate and permitting counsel to EDF the financial close that took place on September 17, 2026.
The project
... Show Full Article
DENVER, Colorado, Oct. 8 -- Holland and Hart, a law firm, issued the following news:
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October 7, 2026
Holland & Hart Advises EDF power solutions North America on Utah Solar 1 Energy Project
Holland & Hart advised EDF power solutions North America in connection with its Utah Solar 1 Energy project, a 394-megawatt (MW)dc / 300 MWac solar facility located in Millard County, Utah. The firm has been supporting EDF's ongoing project development efforts and most recently served as real estate and permitting counsel to EDF the financial close that took place on September 17, 2026.
The projectsupports a 30-year power purchase agreement with the Southern California Public Power Authority. The project will generate an estimated 766,000 MWh to serve customers of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The project will now move into construction and the facility is slated to begin delivering electricity in mid-2027 and is expected to generate significant local tax revenue for Millard County and lease revenue for the Utah Trust Lands Administration over its multi-decade life.
For more information, please see EDF power solutions North America's press release.
The Holland & Hart real estate team was led by renewable energy partner Adrienne Bell, with assistance from David Broadbent, Kate Carlisle-Kesling, Addison Fairchild, Michael Hutchings, Nathan Runyan, Jacque Walton, Ann Prouty, Dessa Reimer, Ryder Seamons, and Dickie Chazotsang.
The firm's Renewable Energy and Storage team has been at the vanguard of the renewable energy industry for decades and serves clients in the ever-changing, complex clean energy market. The team brings specialized experience in renewable energy and storage project finance and development to this dynamic market. We help clients capitalize on existing solar, wind, hydro, geothermal, and other renewable energy technologies in addition to battery storage technologies--as well as innovative new energy opportunities--as part of the global transition to a clean energy economy.
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URL: EDF power solutions North America
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Original text here: https://www.hollandhart.com/holland-hart-advises-edf-power-solutions-north-america-on-utah-solar-1-energy-project
[Category: BizLaw/Legal]
