Capital Markets: Debt | Global

Allen & Overy has extensive capital markets bench strength, allowing the firm to provide sophisticated advice on a comprehensive array of debt and equity transactions. The team's focal points range from bank regulatory work to some of the UK's largest IPOs, as well as complex high-yield offerings and leveraged finance deals. In addition, A&O has significant expertise advising on medium-term note programmes and debt issuances for major investment banks and issuers. Equally able across DCM and ECM, the firm draws on integrated US law capabilities and support from a network of EMEA partners, to act on the most significant cross-border transactions.

Clifford Chance has a strong reputation for sovereign DCM issuances and high-value IPOs. In particular, the team benefits from both US and European capabilities, as well as a far-reaching high-yield practice with support from specialists in Hong Kong and New York. The firm has expertise in US securities laws including Rule 144A offerings, which enables the smooth handling of complex cross-border transactions.

Linklaters houses a market-leading capital markets team that is recognised for its skilled handling of both debt and equity transactions as well as offering capabilities in high-yield matters. The team handles matters across the UK, Europe and the USA, demonstrating prowess in areas such as liability management, sovereign bonds and equity-linked products. The firm benefits from strong ties to its banking and finance team and has particular expertise in convertible bond issues and green bond DCM transactions.

White & Case provides skilled representation across DCM, ECM and high-yield capital markets transactions. Especially recognised for cross-border work, the firm maintains an extremely strong presence in European capital markets as well as the Middle East, Africa and other emerging markets. Areas of particular specialism include sovereign deals, debt restructurings and equity listings for EMEA issuers. The team is routinely sought out for advice on high-value regulatory capital matters and liability management work.

Freshfields tackles a diverse range of DCM and ECM transactions, from IPOs to sovereign bonds and MTN programmes. The team represents issuers, banks, regulators and exchanges and has significant experience in equity-linked deals, liability management and rights issues. In addition, it offers strong capabilities in the high-yield capital markets space.

Baker McKenzie fields a team of UK and US-qualified specialists with well-established connections throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The team focuses on sovereigns and emerging markets work across the capital markets. It is proficient in issuer-side advice for DCM transactions with further noteworthy expertise on both ECM and high-yield matters.

Dentons fields a team of well-regarded practitioners who are proficient in emerging markets transactions, with notable sub-specialisms in sukuk and Shari'a-compliant DCM deals. The firm has the ability, through its global network, to advise on matters pertaining to the Middle East, Africa and the CEE area. It also offers extensive expertise in US securities law, liability management and sovereign bond issues.

Sidley Austin handles DCM work for a client roster of issuers, financial institutions and investment banks. Tackling US, UK and European matters, the team demonstrates strength in a range of cross-border debt offerings and restructurings. In addition, they offer skills in Euromarket debt, regulatory capital and liability management and have significant experience in US securities law and high-yield debt offerings.

Slaughter and May brings an issuer-side focus to both its DCM and ECM work. Specifically, the team comes highly recommended for its work with UK-based corporate groups on equity listings including high-value IPOs. In addition, the firm is recommended for its debt practice where it advises on standard issuances as well as more complex structures such as equity-linked products.

Sullivan & Cromwell provides strong domestic capabilities and international coverage for cross-border capital markets transactions. The team works with both issuers and underwriters, and offers expertise across a full range of DCM matters.

Akin Gump advised PGIM Private Capital as the sole provider of financing on a GBP350 million debut private placement issuance by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission.

The team at Davis Polk provides counsel to financial institutions on debt and equity offerings and brings its close relationship with the firm's corporate lawyers to bear on acquisition financings. With extensive experience handling capital markets transactions in both Europe and emerging markets, it has particular strength on deals in the Netherlands, Germany and the Nordics.

Latham & Watkins has a pre-eminent high-yield practice that regularly acts on market-leading transactions. The firm offers the largest team in Europe and is a first port of call for both sponsors and issuers. In addition, it has a standout equity offering that is able to draw upon international resources to advise on transactions throughout Europe, the USA and emerging markets.

Mayer Brown is a well-regarded global law firm with a comprehensive US-focused DCM offering. The team routinely acts for banking and financial services clients on sophisticated transactions and is well known for its experience of deals in the emerging markets.

Morrison Foerster offers strong cross-border capability on high-value debt transactions, acting for financial institutions and issuers. The team is best known for its private placement work, with further areas of expertise including structured products, hybrid offerings and covered bonds. More broadly, it is able to draw on support from an international network of partners from offices in New York and Tokyo.

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a strong presence in the world of sovereign bonds and debt offerings in the emerging markets. The firm also has expertise handling private placements for UK clients, and routinely works for both issuers and underwriters. The team is further recommended for specialist representation of Canadian clients.