Lachlan acts for corporates, sponsors, export credit agencies, development finance institutions and commercial lenders on the development and financing of highly complex mining, energy and infrastructure projects.
Over his 20-year career he has advised on first-in-kind transactions across Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East and has developed a particular expertise in emerging markets.
Expertise
Industries
Experience
Representative matters
The Glencore and SNIM-sponsored El Aouj Mining Company on all aspects of its multi-billion-dollar integrated iron ore project in Mauritania. The project involves the development and project financing of the mine, processing plant, power production, water supply and railway and port capacity expansion. This project will ultimately be one of the largest mines and the first major project financing completed in the country.
The Dow Chemical Company on the $10.5 billion financial and commercial restructuring of its joint venture with Saudi Aramco in relation to the $20 billion world-scale integrated Sadara chemicals complex in Saudi Arabia. The project involved a large number of ECAs, including K-EXIM, K-Sure, Hermes, US Ex-Im and UKEF, more than 30 commercial banks and multiple Islamic tranches.
The lenders on the $12.5 billion joint venture for the Jazan IGCC / ASU project. This project is one of the largest project financings in 2021.
Agratas Limited (a subsidiary of Tata Sons) on their plans to establish a global battery cell gigafactory in the UK with a capacity to produce 40 GW of cells annually. The investment of over £4 billion will deliver electric mobility and renewable energy storage solutions for customers in UK and Europe.
Pro bono
Advised The Nature Conservancy (TNC) on the creation of “Blue Bonds” to refinance $500 million of Gabon’s national debt which will generate an expected $163 million in new funding for ocean conservation.
Speaking Engagements
- Speaker, Rise of OEMs: Lessons Learned, Mining Indaba, February 2024
- Speaker, Financing Projects with Jurisdictional, New Technology and other Challenges, 8th Annual Trends in Mining Finance Conference, May 2023
- Speaker, Contractual and Legal Provisions Relevant to COVID-19, Africa Insight Webinar Series, June 2020
Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations
- Vice President of the Board of Trustees, British Section of the Lycée international de Saint-Germain-en-Laye
Recognition
“Lachlan is highly experienced, fully available and very involved”
Chambers Global, 2024
“Lachlan Poustie is a partner with excellent contacts and very effective negotiation skills. He was able to involve the right people on our file and his expertise in project financing in Africa was extremely useful. He was able to carry out a particularly complex file and advise us on how to move forward”
Legal 500 EMEA, 2022
Awards
- Up and Coming Lawyer for Africa-wide Project Finance, Chambers Global, 2024
- Next Generation Partner, Legal 500 EMEA, 2023
- Highly Regarded for Project Finance, IFLR 1000, 2023
Qualifications
Admissions
England & Wales, 2012
Paris, 2011
Victoria, 2004
Academic
L.L.B., Monash University, 2003
BComm., Monash University, 2003
BComm., Monash University, 2003
Languages
English, French
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.