Banking & Finance: Borrowers
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
020 7006 1000Chambers Review
Clifford Chance has a significant finance practice, which is sought out by high-calibre corporates, financial institutions and private equity sponsors in the leveraged and investment-grade markets. The team is well positioned to advise on the full range of financial instruments, from European covenant-lite structures to term loan B facilities. The department is additionally noted for its ability to advise lenders in EMEA on high-value transactions and has recently been particularly active in the infrastructure space. The team has long-established experts in the fund finance space, where it advises both sponsors and lenders.
Work Highlights
- Clifford Chance advised the mandated lead arrangers on the financing of PAI Partners' and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board's acquisition of Veonet, which consisted of a complex structure of a range of facility types with an aggregate value of EUR1.215 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Clifford Chance offers a strong line-up of seasoned lawyers with the ability to think through complex transactions."
"The team is able to draw on a wealth of product knowledge, precedents, and experience of dealing with counterparties."
"The team are very responsive and pull in other teams as and when needed. Their availability to look at various different options and present their advice in straightforward terms has aided decision-making."
"Clifford Chance have an exceptional understanding of the loans market and are able to advise very quickly as to market precedents and positions. They are also very pragmatic in their approach and understand the commerciality of transactions - they're always able to avoid getting bogged down in minutiae and focus on the important aspects for a particular transaction."
"Clifford Chance is our first-choice firm for complex matters, driven by the quality of its partners and senior associates."
"Clifford Chance offers a strong line-up of seasoned lawyers with the ability to think through complex transactions."
"The team is able to draw on a wealth of product knowledge, precedents, and experience of dealing with counterparties."
"The team are very responsive and pull in other teams as and when needed. Their availability to look at various different options and present their advice in straightforward terms has aided decision-making."
"Clifford Chance have an exceptional understanding of the loans market and are able to advise very quickly as to market precedents and positions. They are also very pragmatic in their approach and understand the commerciality of transactions - they're always able to avoid getting bogged down in minutiae and focus on the important aspects for a particular transaction."
"Clifford Chance is our first-choice firm for complex matters, driven by the quality of its partners and senior associates."
Notable Practitioners
UK regional managing partner Michael Bates is recognised as one of the foremost experts in infrastructure financing matters. He also comes highly recommended for his expertise when acting for corporate borrowers and bank lenders.
"Michael always goes the extra mile for his clients."
"Michael Bates is a market leader who has the complete trust of all he works with and will always find time for people regardless of their level, which is to be commended. He is a pleasure to work with."
Robert Lee is the global practice area leader for finance at the firm. His broad finance practice spans cross-border M&A, corporate lending and fund finance matters, among others.
"Rob is a trusted partner and has vast experience of the industry. He is a strong negotiator and communicates issues well."
Emma Folds has a respected corporate lending and debt restructuring practice. She is highlighted for her representation of banks and alternative capital providers. She handles varying deal sizes and financing structures.
"I always feel in very capable hands when Emma is working on a transaction for me. She responds very quickly and can provide advice on very short notice. She has excellent commercial awareness and is able to identify key points to negotiate in the context of a specific transaction, understanding the commercial needs on both sides and providing clear advice."
"Emma knows the market and landscape extremely well. When you go to her you just know it's going to get sorted and you're going to get the advice you need."
Jim MacHale is well regarded for his expert handling of leveraged finance and corporate loan matters. His practice includes both domestic and cross-border mandates. He is particularly active on the lender side, frequently advising mandated lead arrangers. He has additional experience in private credit transactions.
"Jim has been a superb partner in every sense of the word. He is highly experienced, with great attention to detail and an extraordinary personal work ethic. He clearly cares deeply about his deals and his clients, and is a pleasure to work with too."
"Jim is very good and commercial as well as honest and clear in his advice. He is quite hands-on but has a very big base of associates as well, so there are adequate resources there when it is required."
"Jim is a senior partner who builds the right relationship with the borrower's counsel. He doesn't score points and has that commercial mindset."
David Robson is noted for his experience advising lenders across the financing space. He is particularly adept at handling leveraged and M&A financings.
"David has a deep and varied understanding of the loan market and has worked on a number of sophisticated transactions. He is calm under pressure and gives well-balanced and pragmatic advice."
"David Robson is knowledgeable, practical, and happy balancing the legalities of a situation with commercial considerations. He builds his deal teams with an appropriate level of skill and experience, whilst visibly coaching those around him."
Peter Dahlen has a practice that sees him assist both borrowers and lenders on complex financing arrangements. He has a particular focus on the Nordic region.
"Working with Peter was a great experience."
"Peter is a top lawyer with strong vision."
"He provides very thoughtful advice on matterswith unusual features."
Thomas Critchley handles sophisticated and high-value financings for high-profile sponsor clients. His experience includes sustainability-linked products.
"Tom is user-friendly and detail-oriented, with a great set of experience across a diverse range of financing products."
"Thomas is excellent at leading you through the process. He is very clear and keeps you updated."