Banking & Finance: Borrowers | Europe

Allen & Overy is widely viewed as one of the leading banking practices in London with standout expertise in syndicated lending - a space in which it advises high-profile corporate borrowers and traditional lenders on prominent, often multi-jurisdictional, financing transactions. In addition to its work for banks, the team advises a growing number of debt funds on direct lending mandates. The department is also highly regarded as a leader in the leveraged finance market, offering sterling advice to high-profile asset managers.

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.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is a market-leading practice containing a team of finance experts that acts for high-profile corporates and private equity houses. The team is well positioned to advise on cross-border leveraged finance transactions and is regularly instructed on acquisition and take-private financings, refinancing and repricing matters. It is highly experienced in sustainability-linked loan transactions.

Linklaters exhibits extensive capabilities acting for banks, funds, corporates and sponsors. The team advises on domestic and cross-border matters and demonstrates strength on a wide range of financings, including term loans, bridges and revolving credit facilities and cov-lite loans. Linklaters is able to draw on the firm's significant derivatives, debt capital markets and securitisation capabilities when advising on margin loans and bank/bond combinations. The team has a growing presence in the alternative credit provider space.

Slaughter and May is a formidable group with a market-leading borrower-side practice and impressive cross-border capabilities. The team acts for corporate groups on high-end acquisition financings and corporate loans in a wealth of sectors including energy, life sciences, manufacturing, insurance and retail. It has an impressive knowledge of a variety of structures, including certain funds facilities, term loan Bs, bridges and combined bond and loan financings. The department is additionally well versed in advising on the incorporation of sustainability-linked features into new as well as existing facilities.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton has a strong command of transactional banking matters that run the full gamut, including syndicated lending and financial restructuring. The team engages in a high volume of matters that involve M&A financing on behalf of an enviable roster of corporate clients as well as being highlighted for its work for sovereigns, with a focus on emerging markets. It also excels in LBOs, bank/bond and repo financings. The practice continues to showcase its ability to provide seamless cross-border advice, with particular strength on transactions with US elements.

Herbert Smith Freehills' versatile finance group advises on high-end transactions for a substantial crop of blue-chip corporates. The team frequently acts on acquisition financings and corporate loans in the real estate, energy and infrastructure sectors. It is well equipped to undertake cross-border transactions, with noted expertise acting on deals with a US law angle as well as throughout Africa. The team is also well positioned to act on export finance matters.

Skadden is a global firm with the capacity to handle substantive cross-border work for major sponsors and big-ticket borrowers. The team counts an impressive list of private equity houses among its client base. It works on matters involving high-yield products, in addition to tackling complex transactions in the real estate sector. The team has a strong track record on both leveraged and investment-grade financings, and also excels in handling distressed acquisitions and refinancings.

White & Case has a solid banking and finance practice with a strong foothold in the private equity space, strengthened by the law firm's cross-border capabilities. The team works regularly with borrowers on complex financings in addition to maintaining strong relationships with major banks. It demonstrates standout strength advising on deals in emerging markets. The team is highly regarded for both its UK and US law capabilities and advisory work for alternative capital providers in matters spanning the credit market. It has notable expertise advising on combined bank/bond issues.