Banking & Finance

The banking and finance team at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is renowned for its standing among high-profile lenders, corporate borrowers and sponsors. The team excels in all types of lending transactions, regularly playing starring roles in cross-border acquisitions, and corporate and leveraged finance deals, with a particular expertise in stabilisation financing during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further prowess in handling restructuring and project finance mandates complements the firm's holistic offering. The regulatory team led by Gunnar Schuster maintains its reputation as a market-leading one, routinely handling large mandates concerning M&A transactions, post-Brexit market access and reorganisations in the financial services sector. The team also regularly advises on administrative proceedings concerning fintech issues, including cryptocurrency and IT security.

Alexander Glos is highly active on an impressively broad range of regulatory mandates such as upstream and internal mergers, capital restructurings, market access following Brexit and COVID-19-related implications. He offers further strengths in fintech licensing and cryptocurrency issues, as well as litigation concerning the Single Resolution Board, which makes him an attractive choice for a range of clients. Noting his position in the team, one interviewee characterises Alexander Glos as "technically strong, and he has quite a neck for litigation."

Frank Laudenklos is widely considered an excellent practitioner with strength across all financing and banking issues. He is regularly mandated by nationally and internationally leading corporates and banking consortiums on syndicated loan agreements and acquisition finance. Additionally, he is recognised for his involvement in stabilisation finance mandates pertaining to the COVID-19 pandemic. One interviewee describes Frank Laudenklos as "very professional and bright."

Leading practitioner Gunnar Schuster is highly regarded for his breadth of expertise in all regulatory banking and finance issues. His work ranges from M&A-related transactions and market access for corporates to portfolio restructurings and licensing matters, often involving cross-border elements.

Mario Hüther is widely appreciated for advising corporates on large syndicated and revolving credit facilities that often have notable ESG components. Clients also benefit from his excellent cross-border expertise and prowess in handling M&A-related mandates. One interviewee observes: "Mario Hüther is still young but has an established practice."

Michael Josenhans frequently advises borrowers on the arrangement of revolving credit facilities, especially those with ESG elements, and complex refinancings involving various capital structures and instruments. One client enthuses: "Michael Josenhans is a terrific lawyer," further describing his services as an "all-round carefree package."