Corporate Finance: Lenders: Mid-Market | UK

Ashurst has a well-established team of banking experts who advise both lenders and borrowers across the full spectrum of financings. The firm has positioned itself as a go-to choice for both mid-market and big-ticket transactions, with particular strength in cash confirmation law. The team works across a wide range of industries, with notable experience in manufacturing, infrastructure, financial services, and technology. The group also offers strong expertise in leveraged finance, private credit, fund finance, and Islamic finance.

CMS is equally at home advising UK clearing banks, alternative lenders and borrower clients on transactions ranging from acquisition finance to debt portfolio acquisitions. It has a developed reputation for acting on cross-border deals with sector expertise in hotels and leisure, renewable energy, traditional oil and gas, and healthcare. The team is additionally noted for its TMT expertise. The firm's prowess in real estate finance and financial restructuring complements the banking and finance practice.

Dentons retains strong relationships with traditional lenders and demonstrates capability in cross-border investment-grade deals, especially in emerging markets. The firm has additional strengths in alternative lender representations and financing transactions across sectors including TMT, oil and gas, and financial services.

Norton Rose Fulbright is known for its strong lender-side practice, handling a wide range of financing work for numerous domestic commercial banks, including corporate loans, project and trade finance, and asset-based lending. Alongside its panel relationships with major financial institutions, the firm advises a broad variety of corporate borrowers. Operating across sectors such as oil and gas, transport, and technology, Norton Rose Fulbright offers impressive global reach on cross-border deals, often in emerging markets. The team has additional expertise assisting with Sharia-compliant financing structures.

BCLP retains a number of UK clearing bank clients, while also assisting high-profile corporates. The team draws on strengths in a broad range of sectors including healthcare, leisure and gaming, and insurance, to assist clients with a full range of banking matters. Its global network of offices makes it a popular choice for complex multi-jurisdictional financings, on which it also assists overseas banks with mid-cap transactions.

DLA Piper has a strong foundation acting for lender-side clients in the acquisition finance space. It handles the full spectrum of financial instruments, assisting traditional and alternative lenders as well as mixed lender groups. The firm also demonstrates strength advising international corporates on complex transactions, drawing on the firm's extensive global network to advise on cross-border deals. The team frequently advises on finance matters in the technology, telecommunications, and oil and gas sectors.

Eversheds Sutherland is a long-established player in the space noted for its stellar representation of both borrower and lender-side clients. The team regularly works with financial institutions on corporate acquisition financings. The law firm offers a widespread network of offices across the globe, making it a popular choice for multi-jurisdictional transactions.

Simmons & Simmons has a standout practice advising on both domestic and cross-border transactions. The team represents a strong roster of clients, including traditional bank lenders and corporate borrowers. It has notable experience with deals in the Nordic region and, in recent years, has become a go-to adviser for data centre-related infrastructure financings.

Bird & Bird has a well-regarded finance team noted for its representation of a range of lender-side clients including alternative credit providers and development banks. The team has specialist knowledge of sports financing with the added ability to act across the aviation, energy and real estate sectors. The firm regularly advises on cross-border transactions, with emerging markets matters being a particular area of expertise.

Fieldfisher offers considerable expertise in the banking and finance market, and has members who are able to advise on a wide variety of transactions. The team is a sophisticated choice for lenders and it has the ability to act for banks as well as alternate credit providers. It is well-positioned to act for clients in offshore jurisdictions, while the London office is backed up by a strong UK footprint. The team has enviable experience assisting lenders with venture growth financing.