Capital Markets: Structured Finance | Europe

The firm has superb capabilities in capital markets transactions. The firm's celebrated DCM teams boast extensive skill in assisting with an array of debt instruments, stretching from GMTN programmes to hybrids as well as high-yield products. Its strong structured finance practice is comprehensive, offering support in pan-European securitisation plans, both cash and synthetic, as well as covered bonds, equity swaps and CLOs. The law firm's well-reputed ECM teams are adept at assisting with IPOs, acquisition and disposal of shares as well as issuance of rights. It has excellent presence on the ground in numerous European jurisdictions, including the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, CEE and Italy, and has a number of US-qualified lawyers based there. The lawyers act for leading commercial and investment banks, corporates, insurance companies and market operators. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance boasts an outstanding capital markets group with acclaimed cross-border capabilities. It has first-class proficiency in debt-related matters covering the whole range of instruments, including sovereign bonds, sukuk and sustainability-linked bonds. The firm also boasts a US securities practice, with expertise in Rule 144A offerings. The firm's equally exceptional structured finance teams assist with an array of mandates, including covered bonds, cross-border securitisation schemes and derivatives. Its ECM practice also showcases strength in a variety of matters, notably IPOs, rights issues and share deals. Clifford Chance boasts an impressive European footprint, with market-leading teams based in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and Milan. It also demonstrates strength in Eastern Europe, where it leads complex deals out of its offices in Bucharest, Prague and Warsaw. The firm is a trusted adviser to a wide range of global financial institutions, and also houses US and UK-qualified lawyers within a number of its European offices.

Linklaters has a pre-eminent reputation in all manner of capital markets transactions. The firm offers wide-ranging capabilities in ECM matters such as IPOs and equity-linked products, while DCM partners are well equipped to advise on extensive EMTN programmes, high-yield and green bonds and other debt instruments. Its excellent structured finance practice covers a wealth of mandates such as large transnational securitisations, including synthetic ones, as well as swaps, RMBS and other derivatives. The firm has exceptional coverage of key European markets, with highly rated teams in London, Frankfurt, Madrid, Amsterdam, Milan, Lisbon and Luxembourg. Linklaters acts for a range of global financial institutions and corporates, and also offers on-the-ground US and UK law capabilities in various European offices.

Hogan Lovells' capital markets team stands out for its expertise in structured finance mandates. The firm comes highly recommended for cross-border securitisation deals, including auto loan, asset-backed and receivables securitisation matters. It has additional expertise in derivatives transactions and advises on the related regulatory issues. Hogan Lovells has significant strength in Western Europe, chiefly representing major financial institutions and corporations from the automotive sector.

White & Case boasts broad industry knowledge covering the whole range of capital markets transactions, with expertise spanning equity-related mandates and debt, as well as structured finance. The firm offers expertise in IPOs, rights issues and derivatives matters. Its impressive offering extends to high-yield bond offerings, with increasing activity in sustainability-linked bonds. The firm has impressive coverage of key Western European jurisdictions, with teams at the forefront of the markets in London, Paris and Milan supplemented by notable teams in Stockholm and Frankfurt. White & Case also benefits from strong links to emerging markets, advising on deals in Eastern Europe, Africa and Turkey.

Baker McKenzie assists with all manner of structured finance mandates, with a focus on complex transnational securitisation programmes, including trade receivables securitisations. The firm is well established in Western Europe, with a highly regarded London team as well as very active teams in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Zürich and Madrid. It offers US as well as UK law capabilities in its offices across Europe, assisting both large issuers as well as underwriters with cross-border mandates.