John W Ffooks & Co is led by a sole principal with almost 20 years of experience. He can advise on everything from broad strategy to detailed transactions. Our system of client care means there is always a second opinion available.
John Ffooks
John graduated from the University of Cambridge in the UK and is a qualified Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales. He qualified with the leading international firm Clifford Chance and was an Associate at major US firm LeBoeuf, Lamb, Greene & MacRae (now Dewey LeBoeuf). As a lawyer, he has particular experience in infrastructure, utility and natural resource investments in the developing world and the financial structures associated with them. John lived in Madagascar for almost ten years, working initially as a partner at Malagasy firm MCI before starting his own firm in 2007.
John is familiar with the specific legal and business cultures of Francophone Africa. He has extensive experience of French-based legal systems as well as the ability to communicate any issues arising simply and clearly to English speaking clients. John speaks and writes fluent French.
He has handled finance transactions in excess of US$4.5bn in relation to natural resource finance projects, with all the requisite due diligence such complex transactions require. John also acts for exchange listed companies in London, Toronto, New York and Australia and has considerable experience helping take companies to market. He has also been involved in acquisitions and disposals of assets in natural resources and telecommunications fields.
Previous highlights include advising the Ambatovy Nickel Project on its US$4.5bn nickel/cobalt mining and processing project which recently reached financial close on US$2.2bn of debt finance. John has acted as local counsel on several natural resource based AIM listings as well as advising listed oil & gas and mining companies. He has advised on a major asset-disposal programme for an Australian natural resources investor, along with many farm-ins for on- and offshore oil & gas exploration blocks (including Afren plc and Norsk Hydro). John has also extensively advised banks and finance houses on procedural and regulatory aspects of transactions across Francophone Africa.
Before moving to Madagascar in 2001, John was the sole advisor on English law to a South African investment bank on its infrastructure portfolio in the sub-Saharan region. These included the US$2bn Mozal Aluminium Smelter and the Maputo Port privatisation.