Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Banking & Finance: Lenders - UK
What the Team is Known For
Latham & Watkins is a highly sophisticated banking practice that is considered a first port of call by leading institutional lenders and sponsors for multi-jurisdictional transactions requiring the implementation of cutting-edge financial products. The team continues to represent debt funds on deals in the European leveraged finance market and is well equipped to advise on margin loan financings, bespoke finance solutions such as PIK loans, term loan B facilities and hybrid investments. The team also has notable expertise handling public-to-private deals.
Strengths
"The Latham & Watkins team has such deep experience and broad bench strength that there is nothing that fazes them."
"The team's legal advice is grounded in an excellent understanding of the client's commercial positioning."
"Not only was the team technically adept, but they were also creative thinkers and negotiators."
"The team is highly responsive as well as patient and upbeat, even during stressful points in the transaction process."
Work Highlights
Latham & Watkins advised Goldman Sachs on the financing of Temasek's acquisition of Element Materials Technology, consisting of term loans, PIK notes and a revolving credit facility, with an aggregate financing value of USD2.225 billion.
Notable practitioners
Dominic Newcomb is regarded as a premier choice for prominent sponsor clients. His practice regularly involves acting on a number of high-value domestic and international debt financings.
Jonathan Brownson is held in high regard for his expertise in leveraged finance. He has a wealth of experience, with a particular focus acting for lenders on both domestic and international mandates.
"He defends lenders' interests with integrity but is also pragmatic to help all parties to get a deal done. He provides commercial, high-quality advice and is also highly available and hands on."
"Jonathan Brownson is very good and offers exactly the commercial support we need. He is very good at pointing out the points we can get comfortable with because he knows the market and is active on deals."
Fergus Wheeler of Akin Gump has substantial expertise in direct lending matters. He acts across the capital structure, counting a number of private credit funds and alternative capital providers among his client base.
"Fergus is very well regarded in the private credit world."
Ross Pooley regularly advises on leveraged and acquisition finance with expertise in cross-border matters. He is well-versed advising banks on high-value bilateral loans, with additional experience acting for private lenders.
"We rate Ross highly. He stands out in his level of lender-side service."
Daniel Maze is particularly adept at acting for direct lenders on leveraged finance transactions and emerging markets financings. He is experienced in advising on large-cap mandates involving a range of sectors, including TMT and technology.
"Dan Maze is pragmatic, calm under pressure, and provides really thoughtful advice."
Joydeep Choudhuri is noted for his leveraged finance expertise, which spans both domestic and European markets. He has particular experience in matters in the direct lending space.
"Joydeep is unflappable, calm under pressure and works in a quick and results-focused manner. You just feel you're in a safe pair of hands of hands with him: he understands the issues, sees a path forward and doesn't block things."
"He is good technically as well as commercially and knows how to get things done."
Prue Criddle is a strong up-and-comer in the London market noted for her leveraged finance expertise.
"Prue Criddle was highly engaged and responsive, understood the transaction well and dealt effectively with difficult issues."
"She has good knowledge of the bank market."
