People

Overview

Farah Zafar is an associate in the Global Projects group and is based in the firm's Dubai office. Farah is admitted to practice in England and Wales and in California.

Farah has previously advised lenders and sponsors on the financing, construction and operation of various projects within the energy and infrastructure sectors. Prior to joining Baker Botts in Dubai, she practised in London and in the U.S. at leading international law firms.

She has a wide range of experience, including in renewables, energy from waste, battery storage, transport, and social infrastructure.

Admissions & Affiliations

  • Solicitor Advocate, England & Wales, 2020
  • State Bar of California

Education

  • Master of Laws, International Business & Economic Law, Georgetown University Law Center 2022
    with distinction
  • M.Sc., Law, Business & Management, University of Law 2017
    with distinction
  • B.Sc., Economics, University of London 2014
    first class honours

Experience

  • Advising Lenders in respect of project financing of 900,000 metric tonnes per annum waste to energy plant at Al Dhafra (Abu Dhabi). Included conventional and Islamic financing. 
  • Advising Qatar Electricity and Water Company Q.P.S.C. in their bid for the design, build, ownership, finance and operation of a 500MW power generation production facility in Ras Abu Fontas, Qatar.  
  • Advising Sponsors in respect of project financing and project development of a new IWPP located at Ras Abu Fontas, Qatar. Financing included commercial banks, JBIC and K-Exim.
  • Advising Operator (Al Awael) on LTOMA with National Water Company for waste water plants in Dammam and Khobar (KSA).   
  • Advising Dubai Municipality on structuring and implementation of a new medical waste incinerator plant at Jebel Ali Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility, being procured on a PPP basis. 
  • Advising Dubai Municipality on structuring and implementation of a materials recycling facility (MRF) in Warsan Dubai. 
  • Advising Dubai Municipality on feasibility, structuring and implementation of an organic waste project in Dubai, being procured on a PPP basis.
  • Advising Sponsors on project development and project financing of a bottom ash treatment project in UAE (procured on PPP basis). This is a Dubai Municipality procured project.  
  • Advising AD Ports and SWS on development of a water polishing plant in Abu Dhabi
  • Advising Lenders (Riyad Bank, Al Rijhi Bank and National Bank of Kuwait) on MCL / FTS / BAL on reverse osmosis desalination plant in Jubail KSA.
  • Advising Ulterra on construction contracts relating to refurbishment of their factory in Dammam, KSA
  • Advised confidential client on $398.6 million loan guarantee for battery expansion project in Pennsylvania.*
  • Advised confidential client on proposed acquisition of majority interest in a portfolio of district energy and microgrid networks in Pittsburgh.*
  • Advised a multilateral bank on $37 million financing of a pharmaceutical company in South America.*
  • Advised confidential client on loan guarantee for a battery plant in Michigan.*
  • Advised sponsor on tax equity financing for fuel cell generators in the US.*
  • Advised confidential client on pro-forma contracts relating to the production of renewable natural gas at dairy farms.*
  • Advised confidential client on proposed acquisition of solar projects in Louisiana and West Virginia.*
  • Advised confidential client on disposal of entire UK energy-from-waste portfolio. *
  • Advised Lender on project financing of a 100MW solar farm in Hungary.*
  • Advised Sponsor on development of a 49MW energy-from-waste facility in England.*
  • Advised confidential client on insolvency settlements for over 30 PFI projects across the social infrastructure sector in the UK.*

*Prior to joining Baker Botts