Simon Porter > Baker McKenzie > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Baker McKenzie‘s London securitisation group has a ‘strong, well-staffed team providing excellent client service‘, and clients report that the lawyers are ‘approachable, easy to work with, and can describe complex structures simply‘. Simon Porter leads the structured capital markets group and the corporate trust practice, in which Sarah Porter and Jeremy Levy are highly recommended. Levy recently advised a European e-bikes and bicycle parts company on a €100m trade receivables securitisation. Global chair of derivatives Matthew Dening and emerging talent James Tanner also play crucial roles in the practice.

Baker McKenzie acts as both issuer and underwriter counsel in cross-border transactions, frequently involving emerging markets. Its work in Africa, Turkey and Eastern Europe stands out. Chair of the global capital markets group Adam Farlow provides ‘clear advice on challenging and complex situations‘. He recently acted for a Polish bank in the establishment of a €5bn EMTN programme. Megan Schellinger, who focuses on US private placements, trustee specialist Simon Porter, and US-qualified Charles Farnsworth, who ‘fights the client’s corner when other lawyers have different views‘, are key members of the practice. Roy Pearce left the firm in late 2023.

Baker McKenzie ‘provides first-class advice on both regulatory matters and transactions‘. Global chair of banking and finance Matthew Dening is ‘not an ivory tower lawyer, but a great technician‘. He is ably supported by ‘excellent lawyer, draftsperson and team collaborator‘ Iolie Calochristos. Together, they recently advised a Canadian insurance group on complex settlement arrangements for OTC derivatives positions as part of a large M&A transaction. Head of structured capital markets Simon Porter is a key adviser to corporate trustees on capital markets transactions. Structured finance and derivatives partner Jeremy Levy‘s work includes advice on structured notes programmes.