Michael C. Graffagna

Michael C. Graffagna
Partner

Shin-Marunouchi Building, 29th Floor

Tokyo, Japan 100-6529

mgraffagna@mofo.com

81 3 3214 6522

BAR ADMISSIONS

California

New York

Japan (Gaikokuho-Jimu-Bengoshi)

EDUCATION

University of Illinois, B.A.

Harvard Law School, J.D.

Michael Graffagna is a partner in the firm’s Finance Department. Mike’s practice focuses on representing sponsors and developers in the development, acquisition, divestment, and financing of large infrastructure projects, having frequently led client representations in some of the world’s largest infrastructure projects across Asia and the Americas.

Mike is a trusted advisor and consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in Japan for projects and energy by Chambers GlobalChambers Asia-PacificThe Legal 500 Asia Pacific, and IFLR1000. Clients comment that he is “one of the best lawyers I have ever worked with . . .  ”  and is “a great negotiator and always finds the best way to put forward our needs."

He has worked on a wide range of project types, including renewable (solar, wind, geothermal, and hydroelectric) and conventional (gas and nuclear) power plants; LNG terminals (liquefaction, regasification, and FSRU’s); e-fuels; mining projects (iron ore, gold, copper, molybdenum, zinc, lead, and silver); rail systems (light rail, subways, and high-speed rail); semiconductor fabrication facilities; and telecommunication projects (satellite networks, cellular networks, and fiber optic undersea cable). 

Experience

San Cristobal Mining Project

Represented Sumitomo Corporation on its sale of the San Cristóbal Mine in Bolivia. The mine processes one of the largest deposits of zinc, lead, and silver in the world, and is the largest mining operation in Bolivia. We also represented Sumitomo on its initial acquisition of a 35% stake in the mine and subsequent increase to 100%.

Light Rail Manila Corporation Investment

Represented Sumitomo Corporation on its investment in Light Rail Manila Corporation, the operator of the Manila Light Rail Transit System Line 1.

Solar and Wind Power Project Portfolio Acquisition and Joint Venture

Represented Tokyo Gas in its purchase from ENGIE of 50% of a 720 MW portfolio of six solar and wind power projects in Mexico.

OneWeb Global Communications Satellite Network

Represented SoftBank as a lender and offtaker for OneWeb’s low–earth–orbit constellation of 600 satellites to provide global connectivity.

Philippine LNG Regasification Terminal

Represented Tokyo Gas on its investment in, and joint venture with First Gen for, an LNG import and regasification terminal project in Batangas province, Philippines.

Freeport LNG Liquefaction Facility

Represented Osaka Gas and Chubu Electric in their $1.2 billion equity financing and $3.1 billion debt financing for the first liquefaction train of the Freeport LNG facility and in their entry into of a long–term LNG liquefaction tolling agreement for the project. The transaction was awarded Global Finance Deal of the Year: Project Finance by American Lawyer, Deal of the Year for the Americas by Project Finance International, and North American Oil & Gas Deal of the Year by IJ Global.

MRT-3 Transit System

Represented Sumitomo Corporation as contractor in the Rehabilitation and Maintenance Agreement for the MRT-3 Transit System in Manila. MRT-3 is an urban rail line that runs along Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA), one of Metro Manila's main highways. We previously represented Sumitomo as the EPC contractor and maintenance provider for the system.

Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Mining Project

Represented SCM Minera Lumina Copper Chile in the $1.4 billion limited recourse project financing for the development of the Caserones Copper and Molybdenum Mining Project in Chile. The transaction was named Latin America Mining Deal of the Year by Project Finance Magazine.

Cricket Valley Gas–Fired Power Project

Represented JERA Co., Inc. as the largest investor in a $1.58 billion, 1,100 MW natural gas–fired thermal power generation project, referred to as "Cricket Valley," in Dutchess County, New York. JERA owns an equity stake of approximately 44% in the project.

Mexican Power Stations and Pipeline Acquisition

Represented Mitsui. and Tokyo Gas in their $1.2 billion acquisition of a controlling interest in five gas–fired combined cycle power stations in Mexico with an aggregate total generating capacity of 2,233MW and a related gas pipeline company, and in connection with the financing for such acquisition.

Taiwan High–Speed Rail Project

Represented a consortium consisting of Mitsui & Co., Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Toshiba, Mitsubishi Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, Marubeni, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries as $500 million equity participant and supplier of the Core System and the Trackworks for the $15 billion Taiwan High Speed Rail Project.

Rankings

Ranked in Japan: Projects & Energy

Chambers Asia-Pacific 2024

Ranked in Japan: Projects & Energy

Chambers Global 2021-2024

Hall of Fame for Japan: Projects & Energy

The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2024

Highly Regarded in Japan: Banking, Project Finance and Project Development

IFLR1000 2024

Project Finance and Development

The Best Lawyers in Japan (Recognized since 2013)