Don Stokes advises on complex energy and infrastructure project development, investment, and finance transactions across Asia.

Don draws on more than a decade of on-the-ground experience advising on renewable and conventional power, digital infrastructure and telecoms, and gas development and transportation projects throughout the Asia-Pacific region. He has particular experience in the Vietnam energy sector, where he has worked on groundbreaking deals involving LNG-to-power and renewable energy investments. He has advised financial sponsors investing in renewable energy and digital infrastructure portfolios across the region.

Qualified to practice English and New York law, Don has practiced in Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Tokyo, London, and New York over the past two decades. He has been based in Asia since 2010.

Leading industry publications rank Don among the leading project development and finance lawyers in Asia.

Don’s recent experience includes advising:

Power and Renewables 

  • ib vogt, a leading utility-scale solar development platform, on its joint venture with AC Energy Corp (ACEN) to set up a platform to fund the construction and operation of large-scale solar power plants and battery storage assets across Asia
  • The developers of each of the Son My 1 LNG-to-power and Chan May LNG-to-power projects in Vietnam*
  • Sembcorp Utilities on the US$1.1 billion development of the Dung Quat II (750 MW) gas-fired combined cycle power project in Vietnam*
  • Asian Development Bank (ADB), CGIF, and BPI Capital on the project bond financing of Tiwi-Makban geothermal power plant in the Philippines — Asia’s first certified climate bond*
  • A major UK investor in a portfolio of ‘early stage’ wind power projects in Japan*
  • Sembcorp on a joint venture with Becamex IDC Corporation and Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park to introduce a new generation of sustainable solar smart energy to Vietnam*
  • Nexif Energy on the development of the Ben Tre wind power project in Vietnam*
  • CGIF, a trust fund of the ADB, on the financing of WTO’s development of the 195 MW solar power project located in Binh Thuan province, Vietnam*
  • Marubeni on its bid to acquire a renewable energy portfolio business in Indonesia*
  • ADB on its collaboration with Electricité Du Cambodge in developing a national solar park program in Cambodia to exploit its abundant solar resources*
  • ACO on its landmark solar farm development in Myanmar*
  • Sponsors on various aspects of major development projects in Vietnam, including the: 
    • Nghi Son refinery project
    • Quang Tri IPP
    • Phu My 3 power plant*

Natural Resources & Mining

  • MIND ID on its acquisition of an increased shareholding in PT Vale, an Indonesia-based nickel mining and processing company
  • Udenna Corporation on the acquisition of first Chevron’s 45% interest and then ExxonMobil’s stake in the Malampaya gas field in the Philippines, including the RBL financing of both acquisitions* 

Telecoms and Digital Infrastructure

  • The sellers of Irrawaddy Green Towers (towerco portfolio) in Myanmar to CVC — the largest M&A transaction at the time in Myanmar*
  • The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC, formerly Overseas Private Investment Corporation) on the project financing of Apollo Towers, a Myanmar infrastructure company — one of the first major limited recourse project financings in Myanmar*
  • DFC on the financing of a broadband project business in Myanmar*
  • Viettel, a major Vietnamese telecoms operator, on the US$1.5 billion joint venture for the fourth telco operating licence in Myanmar*

Other Complex Project Experience

  • New Kansai International Airport Company (a subsidiary of the Japanese government) on the US$13 billion privatization of Kansai and Osaka international airports*
  • The developers of a new major airport in Cambodia*
  • CGIF on several bond financings, including the listed bond issuance of KHR127.2 billion fixed rate bonds by PRASAC Microfinance Institution PLC*

*Matter handled prior to joining Latham

Bar Qualification

  • England and Wales (Solicitor)
  • New York

Education

  • Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Commendation, London Guildhall University, 1999
  • Bachelor of Civil Law, University College Dublin, 1996