Baker McKenzie has added project finance lawyer Matthias Schemuth to its Singapore office as a Principal and Asia Pacific Co Head of Projects within the firm’s Finance & Projects practice. In the role, Schemuth will co lead the regional projects offering alongside Partner Jon Ornolffson, who is based in Tokyo.
Schemuth joins Baker McKenzie from DLA Piper and brings more than two decades of experience advising on energy and infrastructure matters across Asia Pacific. His work spans the structuring and financing of significant projects for sponsors, developers, commercial banks, multilateral lending agencies, and export credit agencies. His practice also includes international banking, structured commodity finance, and trade finance, with a focus on emerging markets.
Baker McKenzie framed the hire as part of its continued investment in expanding finance and projects capabilities across the region, where infrastructure development, energy transition activity, and cross-border project financing continue to drive demand for integrated legal advice.
In addition to traditional energy and infrastructure mandates, Schemuth’s focus areas include renewables, digital infrastructure, mining and metals, and export credit-related financings. Baker McKenzie noted his experience advising on large-scale power and LNG financings, as well as on data center and climate finance across key Asia Pacific markets, including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Hong Kong, and China.
The firm also highlighted the scale of its global transactional platform, noting more than 2,700 deal practitioners across 40+ jurisdictions and the multi-jurisdictional nature of much of its client work.
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“We are excited to welcome Matthias to our team. His expertise and proven record in managing teams will be invaluable as we expand our regional and global finance offerings for clients.”
James Huang, Managing Principal of Baker McKenzie Wong & Leow in Singapore
“Asia Pacific is seeing strong momentum in infrastructure development, energy transition investments, and cross-border project financing, much of it centred in Singapore. Having Matthias on board will further enhance our ability to help clients seize opportunities in the region’s evolving energy and infrastructure markets.”
Emmanuel Hadjidakis, Asia Pacific Chair of Baker McKenzie’s Banking & Finance Practice
“Matthias’s appointment underscores Baker McKenzie’s continued commitment to investing in exceptional talent across key markets to support our clients in navigating today’s increasingly complex business and regulatory environment.”
Steven Sieker, Baker McKenzie’s Asia Chief Executive
“I’m thrilled to join Baker McKenzie and contribute to its strong growth in Asia Pacific. The Firm’s global reach and local depth provide an unparalleled platform for delivering innovative projects and financing solutions to clients in this dynamic region.”
Matthias Schemuth, Principal and Asia Pacific Co-Head of Projects, Baker McKenzie
