Restructuring/Insolvency | Europe

Akin Gump boasts a market-leading creditor-side practice that houses certified experts in bond and noteholder work. The department has an excellent reputation for advising major lenders on complex cross-border cases, with particular strength in matters in the Nordic region. It has an enviable portfolio of clients, including specialist investment funds, debt investors, pension funds and hedge funds. Its lawyers are highly adept at handling restructurings of complex corporate debt and structured finance arrangements. Akin Gump is also able to draw on firm-wide abilities in the oil and gas sector.

Clifford Chance possesses a standout practice advising on sophisticated restructurings in the UK and abroad, and attracting instructions from a range of industry players, with a focus on creditor-side representation. The firm coordinates across its network to provide multidisciplinary and multi-jurisdictional teams where needed. Its lawyers advise on both contentious and non-contentious work, with noted strength handling cross-border recovery and protection of creditor claims. The team is particularly strong when advising on mandates within the retail sector.

Kirkland & Ellis has an outstanding reputation in the restructuring market for handling high-value cross-border cases. The firm has expertise in European restructurings and US Chapter 11 cases. The team is able to draw on firm-wide experts in private equity, finance and high-yield bonds when advising on complex multidisciplinary matters. Its lawyers advise clients on the company and creditor sides, with an impressive following of blue-chip investors. Kirkland & Ellis continues to advise on some of the most prominent restructuring and insolvency matters, including notable recent work in the retail sector.

Latham & Watkins has a global practice with broad restructuring and insolvency capabilities. Its lawyers are strong on both the creditor and debtor sides, with particular proficiency advising on schemes of arrangement. The team is increasingly relied on by alternative lenders for special situations work. It frequently represents clients in complex international matters, with noted expertise advising on European restructurings and US Chapter 11 cases. The firm's clients include sponsors, secured and unsecured lenders, coordinating committees, debtors, shareholders and insolvency practitioners. It is able to handle matters on behalf of incumbent agents and security trustees.

Linklaters is a mainstay of the restructuring market, fielding a deep bench of experts acting on headline domestic and cross-border mandates. The firm's strong dispute resolution and financial regulatory offering complements the practice. Its lawyers stand out for their deft handling of insolvency assignments, claim recoveries and investigations. Linklaters also counts strategic distressed debt and equity investments among its areas of expertise.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges has a noteworthy track record in the restructuring and insolvency field. Its lawyers are regularly involved in precedent-setting matters, including UK-originated work and cross-border mandates. The firm offers an integrated service, working closely with its US, Asian and European offices. Weil enjoys strong relationships with a number of creditor-side clients, while also attracting regular instructions from high-profile debtors as well as from distressed investors.

Allen & Overy enjoys an excellent reputation as a go-to firm for lenders seeking counsel on large-scale restructurings and workouts. As well as lenders, the firm's enviable client list includes corporates, investors, insolvency practitioners and government institutions. The firm's international network allows it to advise on multi-jurisdictional deals and mandates in emerging markets. Its lawyers possess an impressive knowledge of Chapter 11 reorganisations and pre-pack sales, in addition to experience in distressed M&A and formal insolvency proceedings.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has a thriving team acting on a host of headline matters on the creditor and company sides. The department has experience in representing distressed high-street retailers, and its lawyers are well positioned to advise on instructions with a high-yield and Term Loan B aspect. Freshfields has a growing reputation in insolvency litigation and distressed investing mandates, acting on behalf of special situation funds, hedge funds and alternative investors.

Milbank has a highly respected practice advising across a broad array of restructuring and insolvency work. Its lawyers offer specialist expertise in distressed M&A, special situations, direct lending and distressed investing, counting an enviable list of corporates, lenders and funds among its clients. The team boasts strong international capability, regularly advising on UK, US and European matters. Milbank is known for the strength of its integrated service with its US offices.

Slaughter and May maintains a standout practice which is regarded as a go-to for company-side representation in connection with restructurings and distressed situations, with standout expertise in the oil and gas sector. The firm is frequently called upon to advise on complex and high-value restructurings and insolvencies, often with a multi-jurisdictional aspect. Its lawyers possess considerable experience handling government debt and bank restructurings. Slaughter and May also fields strength in creditor-side representations, with additional experience acting for insolvency practitioners.

White & Case possesses an accomplished team that continues to attract instructions on high-profile cross-border matters. The financial restructuring and insolvency group works closely with complementary departments within the firm to advise debtor-side clients in the oil and gas, mining and telecoms sectors, in addition to acting for financial institutions and funds. Its lawyers enjoy a strong reputation for their work in the emerging markets, with particular strength advising clients in the Middle East and Africa. The firm offers enviable transatlantic strength working closely with its US counterparts.

Hogan Lovells possesses a notable creditor-side team with significant experience advising on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. The firm has an impressive international network of offices, enabling it to field multi-jurisdictional teams where needed. Its lawyers offer additional strength in distressed loan portfolio transactions. The business restructuring and insolvency group handles instructions for an impressive list of clients, including banks, bond trustees and alternative lenders. The team continues to stand out for its work on restructuring deals in the real estate, energy, infrastructure and healthcare sectors.

Sidley Austin is experienced in handling the full catalogue of restructuring and insolvency matters. The firm advises an impressive portfolio of creditor-side clients, in addition to a range of companies at home and further afield. The restructuring group demonstrates growing expertise in the special situations and alternative finance sphere. Its lawyers act for private equity and distressed fund and credit fund clients, with noted expertise in the Chinese real estate market.

Addleshaw Goddard has a distinguished restructuring practice that retains an impressive number of panel positions with major banks. As well as traditional lenders, the team is also sought out by clients in the alternative lender and fund spaces. In addition to its lender-side practice, the department also regularly works on behalf of accountancy practices and insolvency practitioners. Addleshaw Goddard brings to bear the firm's wider expertise when advising on restructurings within the retail and energy sectors and is able to leverage its global footprint to advise on cross-border matters.

CMS is a popular option for creditors, including clearing banks and alternative funders. The department offers expertise across the gamut of restructuring and insolvency. The team skilfully handles the acquisition and disposal of distressed loan portfolios, as well as advising on pension scheme matters. Its lawyers stand out for their expert handling of distressed situations in the energy sector, while other industry specialisms include financial services, real estate and retail.

Herbert Smith Freehills possesses a strong restructuring and insolvency practice which is highly regarded for its representation of distressed debtors, particularly on deals in the energy and mining sectors. The firm also has an attractive offering on the lender side, acting on impressive instructions for high-profile financial institutions. It additionally offers strength advising on contentious insolvency matters. Its lawyers have demonstrable experience handling complex multi-jurisdictional mandates, notably concerning the European and US markets.

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a strong presence in the market, with a focus on work for clients in the shipping, commodities and mining sectors. The firm's global network enables it to act on international matters for banks, funds and corporates. The financial restructuring and insolvency group is noted for its handling of complex loan restructurings, pre-packaged plans and the sale and purchase of distressed assets. Norton Rose Fulbright also offers expertise in contentious matters, with notable bankruptcy and insolvency litigation capability.

Paul Hastings has a well-regarded team able to advise clients on high-profile contentious and non-contentious restructuring matters. Its clients include debtors and creditors, as well as other stakeholders. The department's lawyers offer particular sector expertise in corporate, real estate and structured finance. The team regularly advises on cross-border matters, with particular strength in providing coordinated advice on UK and US structures and proceedings.

Pinsent Masons has a deep bench of skilled lawyers who are active on a wide range of matters including debt trading, debt restructuring and contentious insolvencies. The firm is on the panel of several UK clearing banks, in addition to representing several challenger banks and funds. The restructuring group is also a popular choice with administrators, notably advising these clients on administrations of law firm and professional service groups. Its lawyers are experienced in advising on matters in the retail and leisure sectors.

Sullivan & Cromwell possesses a respected team with strong UK and US capabilities. It is able to advise on Europe-based and US-based restructurings. The firm acts for impressive clients, which include credit funds and creditors' committees as well as debtors. Its lawyers are particularly adept at advising on distressed asset transactions. Sullivan & Cromwell has notable experience in the retail and leisure sectors.

Jones Day works with debtors and sponsors on complex multi-jurisdictional mandates. The firm enjoys a healthy reputation for advising bondholders and distressed investors, particularly in the real estate sector. The team advises clients on the full scope of restructuring and insolvency matters, from distressed acquisitions to reorganisations and contingency planning. Its lawyers are particularly adept at handling contentious insolvency matters.

Skadden draws on its global network to advise on domestic and cross-border restructurings. The firm demonstrates expertise in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings and English schemes of arrangement, with experience advising clients in the shipping sector. Its lawyers have additional experience advising clients in the aviation, energy and minerals sectors. The corporate restructuring group is recognised for its work with high-profile debtors.

Willkie Farr represents a range of stakeholders on both the creditor and debtor sides of complex restructurings and recapitalisations. Its lawyers are able to act across sectors such as energy, telecommunications and manufacturing. The firm's strong European and US presence makes it a go-to for deals involving cross-border or Chapter 11 elements.