Dearbhla

Dearbhla Cantwell

ESG Managing Associate, London

"I have experience advising clients on a wide variety of environmental, social and governance matters, from discrete pieces of sustainability-related regulatory advice to energy and infrastructure project financings and corporate M&A deals. I also have meaningful experience advising on a range of carbon market transactions and carbon project development."

Overview

Professional experience

Education and qualifications

Published works

Overview

Dearbhla has experience advising national and international clients on a range of ESG and sustainability-related matters, including on complex international corporate transactions, energy and infrastructure project financings and also advises on regulatory and strategic ESG and sustainability related mandates, for example in relation to reporting and disclosure regimes such as TCFD and CSRD. This involves working with many different teams internally and with clients in a broad range of sectors and industries. In particular, Dearbhla has deep experience advising on the UK contaminated land, environmental permitting and operational health and safety regimes (including those related to offshore energy assets). 

Dearbhla also has completed client secondments to the sustainability legal team in Nestle S.A. which involved, amongst other things, advising on the development and implementation of large-scale carbon insetting projects in various jurisdictions, and to the ESG legal team at Barclays Plc, focusing on a variety of public policy and ESG-related matters.

 
Work highlights
  • National Grid: advising on the environmental and health and safety aspects of the sale of a majority stake in its gas transmission and metering business in the UK (deal value: £9.6bn). This was an important step in National Grid’s previously announced strategy to pivot its portfolio towards electricity and reinforce its role in enabling the UK to reach its net zero targets, while maintaining security of supply for the country. It also strengthens their long-term growth prospects and drives long-term value for shareholders.
  • Carrier Global Corporation: advising on the environmental, health and safety aspects of the sale of its Commercial and Residential Fire business to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds for an enterprise value of US$3 billion. acquisition of the Phillips domestic appliances business (deal value: $4.4bn)
  • BP: advising on the environmental aspects of its sale of its acetyls and aromatics businesses, the global manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products (deal value: $5bn). The acquisition further strengthened BP's balance sheet and delivered its target for agreed divestments a year earlier than originally scheduled.
  • NatWest and a consortium of international financial institutions: advising on the establishment of a blockchain based registry and trading platform for voluntary carbon credits. This was a market leading transaction aiming to bring greater liquidity to the secondary voluntary carbon credit market.
  • A major pet food brand: advising on the development of ocean restoration projects within its supply chain in the UK and EU, partnering with expert organizations to help restore 1,500 hectares of marine habitats by 2030. 
  • International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) : advising on the development of a full suite of new industry documentation for the trading of verified carbon credits in both the primary and the secondary carbon markets (for both spot and forward trades), as part of a broader effort to support the transition to a green economy by developing robust legal and risk management standards for markets related to ESG activities.
     
 

Professional experience

Work highlights include:
  • Various clients: advising on ESG disclosure and reporting obligations, including in relation to the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures, Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive, and the UK Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting regime.
  • Hillhouse Capital: advising on the environmental, health and safety and product liability aspects of its acquisition of the Phillips domestic appliances business (deal value: $4.4bn).
  • A global alternative asset management company: advising on the environmental and health and safety aspects of its bid for the acquisition of a national water company.
  • A global car manufacturer: advising on the labelling and packaging requirements of car air filter products in the UK.

Dearbhla is an enthusiastic steering committee member of the firm’s Gender Equality Network and enjoys regular involvement in the firm’s various Pro Bono mandates.

 

Education and qualifications

Dearbhla obtained an undergraduate degree in Law with French Law (BCL) from University College Dublin (which included a year studying at Université Aix-Marseille III).

Published works