Department profile
Commodities: Trade Finance
UK Guide 2026 : UK-wide
Rankings
Ranked Individual
Ranked Individual
About
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
WFW’s specialist focus on the commodities market and long-standing expertise in complex finance-orientated work ensure it is a leading adviser in the commodity and structured finance space. WFW also has a strong and active disputes team which has operated in the commodities sector for many years.
WFW is particularly strong in its specialist sectors. Natural resources is one such specialist sector for the firm, with considerable expertise in the mining and minerals, soft commodities, oil and gas and other energy markets, particularly in relation to corporate/M&A, finance and disputes matters. WFW understands the vagaries of the commodity life cycle and the full extent of the supply chain.
WFW is active in leading commodities-producing regions such as Africa, Asia and Latin America - in particular markets such as West Africa, India and Brazil - as well as Western and Eastern Europe. The team advises banks and non-bank lenders, commodities houses and trade borrowers despite the continued volatility of global financial markets.
Clients (10)
- BNP Paribas
- African Import-Export Bank
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Union Bank UK plc
- Rabobank
- Diamond Bank
- BLME (Bank of London and the Middle East)
- Standard Bank
- Standard Chartered
- FBN Bank (UK) Limited
Industries (5)
- Charities / Not for Profit
- Energy
- Financial Services
- Food & Drink Producers
- Mining & Metals
Chambers Review
Provided by Chambers
Work Highlights
Provided by Chambers
Watson Farley & Williams advised the Republic of Guinea on the USD20 billion Simandou mining project. The firm acted on matters including corporate, joint venture and M&A, project financing, ESG, concession, construction, procurement and tax.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
The Watson Farley & Williams department works exceptionally well.
Commodities: Trade Finance respondentUKWatson Farley & Williams is one of the most highly motivated and enthusiastic firms I have worked with.
Commodities: Trade Finance respondentUKThey have partners with real expertise in the areas it is needed, who work on the matters, engage directly with the client and are available when you need to speak.
Commodities: Trade Finance respondentUKThey are responsive and clear communicators, with strong coordination between internal and external teams.
Commodities: Trade Finance respondentUK
Notable Practitioners
Provided by Chambers
Band 3 
Band 3 Joe Levin
Joe Levin leads the firm's upstream finance team. He advises major banks, lenders and arrangers on financings in the energy and natural resources sectors.
Joe has solid legal grounding with deep industry understanding. He is commercial, solution-driven and client-focused.
Commodities: Trade Finance respondentUK
Ranked Individuals at Watson Farley & Williams (1)
UK-wide
Joe Levin
Commodities: Trade Finance
View profile
Members
Provided by Watson Farley & Williams
Nehal Khan
Sarah Lunn
Andrew Hutcheon
Joe Levin
Joe Levin
View profile of Joe Levin
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