Jones Day

With more than 2,400 lawyers spread throughout 41 offices across the globe, Jones Day is one of the world's leading law firms as well as its third largest. Looking back, Jones Day can trace its roots to 1893 when two lawyers entered into a partnership in Cleveland, Ohio. The firm evolved and matured over the years, expanding its reach overseas through a merger in the mid-1980s. Today, its attorneys operate out of 19 countries on five continents. Approximately 200 are located in the Asia-Pacific region, where the firm maintains nine offices alone.

Its well-regarded energy practice group comprises more than 130 professionals. This team brings together their comprehensive and industry-specific knowledge with a broader understanding of the legal implications on a general or geopolitical scale. The firm boasts a diverse client lists: governments and national energy companies; electric and gas independents and utilities; oil, gas, and mineral producers; electric transmission companies; construction, engineering, and environmental firms; and financial institutions, among many others. Naturally, Jones Day remains at the forefront of the field, completely understanding industry trends and frequently able to anticipate future issues rather than merely react to those as they arise.

Several Jones Day attorneys regularly receive the accolades of major international publications and are ranked among the best in the world. Hong Kong-based Benjamin McQuhae centers his practice on energy and natural resources mergers and acquisitions, financings and projects in Asia, and outbound mergers and acquisitions. Completely immersed in his clients business needs, the celebrated attorney contributes years of experience to his robust work in the oil and gas industry. He joined Jones Day in 2010, having already lived in Hong Kong for almost a decade.

McQuhae's abilities cover the full spectrum of industry-specific affairs. Outside of the oil and gas sector, he brings considerable experience in the mining practice to the delight of those seeking counsel on such matters. His notable work includes advising Saka Indonesia Pangkah on the acquisition of $650 million in Ujung Pangkah assets from the Hess Corporation. He also represented Samudra Energy as it increased its interests in the South Bengara II and Offshore Mangkalihat PSCs in Indonesia to 100 percent by acquiring those held by Caelus International. His other significant clients include Niko Asia and Niko Resources, among several others. Clients such as these return to McQuhae for the diligence he shows on a consistent basis, his utter commitment to their causes, and, ultimately, his ability to deliver time and time again.