Patrick Hirsch
Partner
Partner
Johannesburg
Patrick is a partner in the Projects, Energy and Infrastructure practice group based in the Johannesburg Office.
Patrick is a lawyer with 30 years' experience, he specialises in project development and project finance, including public private partnerships. Patrick acts for both borrowers and lenders in South Africa and other African countries across a range of industries. In more recent years, his practice has concentrated on the energy transition.
Accolades
- Chambers and Partners ranked Patrick in Band 3 for Projects and Energy in South Africa for ten consecutive years (2015 to 2024).
- "He is well versed in regulatory procedures and PPPs and frequently advises lenders on developments in the energy space" "Patrick Hirsch is technically excellent and thorough." – Chambers and Partners 2024
- IFLR1000’s Financial and Corporate Guide consistently rated Patrick as a Highly Regarded Lawyer for Energy and Infrastructure, Project Development, Project Finance and M&A for the past six consecutive years (2018 to 2023)
- Recognised by Best Lawyers 2023 for Banking and Finance Law
- "Patrick Hirsch [is] notable in the debt financing arena." - Legal 500, 2022
Background
Patrick holds BA and LLB degrees from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is admitted in South Africa as an attorney, notary, and conveyancer.
Experience & expertise
Selected matters
- lead lawyer in the team that advised the Standard Bank of South Africa and other lenders in relation to six solar PV projects that reached financial close under the South African Government Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme*
- lead lawyer in the team that advised ABSA Bank and DBSA in three wind power projects that reached financial close, all under the South African Government Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme*
- acting for the borrower and sponsors in relation to the project financing of Gigawatt’s 100MW Gas Fired Ressano Garcia Power Station project in Mozambique, which was awarded the prize for Infrastructure Project of the Year*
- lead lawyer in the team that advised the Standard Bank of South Africa and British International Investment in relation to their financing of three solar PV and battery storage projects developed under the South African Government Department of Energy’s Risk Mitigation Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Programme*
- advising the private party in relation to the South African Department of Trade and Industry’s office accommodation public private partnership*
- advising the lenders (led by Standard Bank) on the South African Department of Education’s office accommodation public private partnership*
- advising the private party consortium in closing the City of Tshwane’s Munitoria office accommodation public private partnership*
- advising the private party in relation to the South African Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development’s office accommodation public private partnership*
* experience gained prior to joining Herbert Smith Freehills
