David is joint head of the Tokyo Projects & Energy group and has worked with Herbert Smith in Asia and London for over fourteen years. David has been in Tokyo for almost five years, having previously been based in London, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Singapore. David’s practice covers project development, project finance, joint ventures, acquisitions and disposals within the power, oil and gas, mining, chemical and infrastructure sectors. Recently David's practice has had a particular focus on projects and acquisitions in Asia, the Middle East, the former Soviet Union, Africa and the UK.
David has also advised on a number of restructurings in Asia. David is licensed to advise on English law in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi.
Credentials
- Sumitomo Chemical on the development and US$5.8 billion project financing of the Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Complex in Saudi Arabia (reported estimated project cost US$9.8 billion)
- a Japanese trading company on the development and financing of an LNG plant in Indonesia
- Japanese companies on the acquisition of upstream oil and gas assets in Africa
- Japanese companies in relation to the development of power projects in Indonesia
- a Japanese trading company on its acquisition of an interest in a project financed water treatment and supply project in Thailand
- a Japanese chemical company on off-take, joint venture and licensing arrangements for various chemical projects
- a Japanese trading company on its US$352 million acquisition of a substantial stake in an Indonesian publicly owned oil and gas company
- a Japanese power company on LNG purchase contracts
- Hong Kong and China Gas on its long term off-take arrangements from the Guangdong LNG Project
- Industrial and Commercial Bank of China on the US$1.9 billion refinancing of GH Water Supply (Holdings) and Guangdong Yue Gang Water Supply Company Limited, the company supplying water to Hong Kong
- INPEX on the acquisition of a 10% stake in the Joslyn Oil Sands Project (from a wholly owned subsidiary of French oil company TOTAL)
- various Japanese companies on potential power projects in the Middle East
- a Japanese company on various interests and projects in the Caspian region
Accolades
"Leading individual - projects and energy, foreign firms in Japan"
Asia Pacific Legal 500, 2005-2006, 2006-2007, 2007-2008
“Clients admire David Clinch for his ability to 'give detailed advice based on current market conditions - he always has his finger on the pulse'.”
Chambers Asia 2008
"Highly Recommended for Energy in Japan"
PLC Which Lawyer? Yearbook 2008
"Leading individual - Global Projects"
Chambers Global 2006, 2007, 2008