Michael Bates

Michael Bates specialises in banking and capital markets work, primarily in the infrastructure sector, and restructuring, with extensive knowledge of leverage finance and corporate lending. He served as Clifford Chance's UK managing partner for seven years before stepping down at the end of 2024, with plans to dedicate more time to his clients in the infrastructure sector while managing his ongoing responsibilities as Global Finance Partner.

Bates is recognised as one of the foremost experts in infrastructure financing matters and has worked on significant matters including the acquisition and subsequent refinancing of BAA, Kelda Water, Opengrid Europe, Arqiva and UK Power Networks. In 2024, he was awarded IJInvestor's Outstanding Individual award, one of the infrastructure industry's most prestigious honours. His inclusion in The Lawyer's Hot 100 in 2019 recognised his imaginative leadership of strategic projects including the acquisition of Carillion's legal operations hub in Newcastle and agenda-setting approach to gender pay gap reporting.

Bates studied law at Exeter University, earning an LLB in 1990, and joined Clifford Chance as an Articled Clerk in 1991. He was admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales in 1993 and in Hong Kong in 1995, becoming a partner in 2001. He served as co-head of the London Finance practice from 2010-2014, head of the London Finance practice from 2014-2017, and has been Regional Managing Partner for the UK since 2018.

Career History

• Regional Managing Partner, UK – Clifford Chance (2018-2024)
• Head of London Finance Practice – Clifford Chance (2014-2017)
• Co-head of London Finance Practice – Clifford Chance (2010-2014)
• Partner, Global Finance – Clifford Chance (2001-present)
• Articled Clerk – Clifford Chance (1991)

What Michael Bates could bring to his focus on infrastructure practice: With over three decades at Clifford Chance and demonstrated expertise in complex infrastructure M&A, leveraged finance, and restructuring across major transactions including BAA and UK Power Networks, Bates brings proven client relationship management skills, deep sector knowledge in energy and utilities, and proven capacity to drive strategic firm initiatives. His IJInvestor Outstanding Individual award and Chambers recognition as a foremost expert position him to advise sophisticated financial sponsors and corporates on the most complex and innovative infrastructure transactions.