Baker Botts has hired experienced projects partner Kirsti Massie in London from Stephenson Harwood.
Massie leaves the firm after joining just shy of two years ago, having previously spent five years at Mayer Brown and 13 years at White & Case, nine of which were as a partner – bringing significant project experience gained at US law firms in London to her new employers.
Massie’s work includes advising on major energy projects in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, including on the financing of a new-build nuclear power plant in Finland and the €9bn Nord Stream pipeline. She specialises in legal advice and assistance on issues relating to power generation, nuclear and emerging energy technologies, and is familiar with assisting clients on the regulatory and commercial aspects of projects.
Her arrival comes as rising power demand and energy security concerns reshape energy markets globally, bringing renewed focus to nuclear and new generation, as well as the infrastructure needed to support them.
Danny David, managing partner of Baker Botts, said: “Kirsti understands the regulatory side of power and nuclear in a way that very few projects lawyers do. That perspective matters when you’re trying to get major projects off the ground, and it brings something distinctive to the energy practice we are building in London.”
Elaine Walsh, co-chair of Baker Botts’ projects team, said: “Kirsti is the kind of lawyer clients want alongside them on complex, long-term energy and infrastructure projects. She knows the sector and the commercial realities of delivering major projects across jurisdictions. That breadth of experience complements our existing capabilities and will be a tremendous asset.”
Massie said: “The strength of the practice in London and worldwide makes this an exciting team to be joining. I am delighted to be here and very much look forward to what we can accomplish together for our clients.”
A spokesperson for Stephenson Harwood said: “We thank Kirsti for her contributions to the firm, and wish her well for the future.”
Massie joins Baker Botts following a period of expansion in London, having undertaken significant activity in the lateral hiring market, including in the energy and projects practice. Other hires across 2025 and beyond include successive hires from Vinson & Elkins, with two partners – Alex Msimang and Nadine Amr – joining the London energy M&A practice last year.
It also previously added former Vinson & Elkins project finance colleagues Alistair Wishart and Nabil Khodadad, as well as capital markets duo Patrick Lyons and Jennifer Rees from Dechert and Mark Castillo-Bernaus from White & Case.
However, the firm has seen departures recently, including a three-lawyer projects team who joined Latham & Watkins earlier this month, while Cooley brought in the firm’s former co-head of energy in New York, Mona Dajani, back in May.
Meanwhile, Massie’s former firm Stephenson Harwood saw the arrival of energy transition partner Matthew Bodfield from Osborne Clarke earlier this month. The firm also continues to discuss potential merger terms with Taylor Wessing.
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