McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP Offices
22 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4BQ
England
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 2
Praised for its global network and inter-office collaboration which spans 20 offices across Europe and the US, the corporate M&A practice at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is well-versed in acting on high profile mid-market transactions for start-ups, companies, private equity firms, family offices and fund services providers. Supplementing its ability to assist with a full range of corporate matters, the firm can draw on its tax practice and its distinctive sector focus covering life sciences and healthcare, technology, consumer and retail and energy and natural resources. Advising both public and privately owned clients in the commodities, life sciences and energy space is Nicholas Azis. Leading on several cross-border transactions in the past year is Eleanor West , who acts for management teams and high net worth family offices in private equity buy-out transactions and direct investments. Chris Marshall’s client roster features large corporates, high-net-worth individuals and SME’s and new arrival who joined the team from Paul Hastings LLP in October 2022, Garrett Hayes, has significant expertise in the telecoms industry. Stuart Mathews left the firm in March 2023 to join Keystone Law, and former practice head Tom Whelan departed to Reed Smith LLP in February 2024.Other key lawyers:
Eleanor West; Nicholas Azis; Chris Marshall; Garrett Hayes
Key clients
Ampersand Capital Partners
Maitland International Holdings plc
Atalaya Capital
Akari Therapeutics, Plc
BehaVR, Inc.
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
Fortius Clinic
Unigestion
ReNew Energy Global Plc
Zura Bio Limited
Sirius Petroleum Plc
Summit Partners
Auctus Capital Partners
Naxicap Partners and Eqwal Group
HIG Capital
SilverTree Equity
Work highlights
- Advised Fortius Clinic, a single orthopaedic musculoskeletal group in the UK, on its transaction to acquire Schoen Clinic London, an orthopaedic and spinal hospital in London, from Schoen Clinic Group, a German hospital group.
- Provide ongoing corporate and securities law advice for ReNew Energy Global Plc, a renewable energy independent power producers in India and globally.
- Advised Auctus Capital Partners, a German private equity sponsor, and its portfolio company, PharmaLex Group, on their continued expansion into the UK market.
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £500m) Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is sought out by both sponsors and portfolio companies for its transactional capabilities across the tech, healthcare, and life sciences sectors. Eleanor West is a highly active adviser who anchors the team’s offering in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Counsel Elisa De Carolis‘ focus ranges from VC-backed growth investors to digital health and medtech-oriented funds. Former practice head Tom Whelan departed to Reed Smith LLP in February 2024, while cross-border PE buyout specialist Fatema Orjela joined from Sidley Austin LLP in April 2024. Fatema regularly advises on major deals for leading European and US firms, with recent engagements including multijurisdictional buyouts and sell-side processesOther key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Elisa De Carolis is hands-on, a strong communicator, diligent, proactive, ability to handle complex transactions, able to achieve great results for their clients despite immense pressure and tight deadlines.‘
‘Fatema Orjela is deeply knowledgeable and infinitely approachable. She is good at explaining complicated matters in a simple fashion and is a pleasure to work with.’
‘Fatema Orjela is an outstanding PE lawyer. We particularly value Fatema’s ability to find creative solutions in complex situations, working with clients to find viable paths forward where one is not obvious – this really sets her apart from others in the industry. We also appreciate how dedicated she is to her clients. Fatema is always on top of both the details and the bigger picture, even at short notice. Fatema is our go-to PE lawyer.’
Key clients
SilverTree Equity
Ampersand Capital Partners
Senior Management Team of Facile.it
Atalaya Capital
Summit Partners
Auctus and its portfolio company, PharmaLex Group
H.I.G Capital
Naxicap Partners and Eqwal Group
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
I.Q. Endoscope
Flair Global (t/a Flair Impact)
KHP Ventures
Work highlights
- Advised SilverTree Equity on two simultaneous co-investments with the Kantar: the acquisition of Step-Up RGM; and the acquisition of XTEL.
- Represented Ampersand Capital on an investment with KKR in the business combination of Biosynth Carbosynth and Vivitide; the sale of Genome Diagnostics to Eurobio Scientific; and the acquisition of P95 BV.
- Advised the senior management of Facile.it on the sale of their equity interest to Silver Lake.
Crime, fraud and licensing > Gaming and betting Tier 3
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s litigation team routinely acts for financial institutions, corporations, contractors, investors and family offices in major disputes; and the practice comprises experts in claims involving finance, energy, healthcare and Pharma, as well as mining, insurance, commodities, shipping, construction and IT-related matters. Andrew Savage is a commercial and finance disputes expert, and senior associate Kimberley Smith acts for investors and private equity funds in a range of contentious mandates. Litigator Jack Thorne joined as partner in August 2022 from Paul Hastings LLP.Practice head(s):
Andrew Savage
Other key lawyers:
Kimberley Smith; Jack Thorne; Edward Perkins; Romilly Holland
Testimonials
‘The team is very client focused.’
‘Excellent knowledge of the law, very responsive, and excellent drafting.’
‘Jack Thorne is very driven and client focused.’
‘Jack Thorne has an outstanding work ethic – an excellent all-round lawyer.’
‘Andrew Savage is a very savvy operator.’
Key clients
eircom (UK)
Petrochemical Holdings
AIC
Community Health and Eyecare
Amnesty International
Work highlights
- Representing eircom (UK) in a High Court claim against British Telecommunications, arising out of BT’s conduct during the tender process for the Northern Ireland Public Sector Shared Network Contract in 2018.
- Successfully represented AIC, a Nigerian construction company, in proceedings in the Court of Appeal and UK Supreme Court, which related to the enforcement of a $160m arbitration award (secured by AIC against the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria).
- Representing Petrochemical Holdings (PCH) in proceedings against Romania, which concern PCH’s investment in the petrochemical sector.
Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3
At McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, ‘the team’s work ethic is very strong and you can be sure you’ll be getting a good work product‘. The firm joins the ranking on the strength of its work for financial institutions as trustees in major debt transactions. Practice head Ranajoy Basu, who also leads the firm’s India desk, is a key adviser on impact financings and sustainability-linked bonds. Basu and Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan, who works in both London and Singapore, recently acted for Basileia Investment Holdings UK Limited with an English law review of a ZAR1bn MTN Programme and the first series of bonds issued under the programme. Priya Taneja also plays a key role in the practice and her knowledge of emerging markets transactions a major boon. Clients note that she ‘throws herself headfirst into her work and is able to work through problems in a way that benefits the client‘. The broader practice continues to expand, with the addition of Vladimir Maly from Morrison Foerster in July 2023, bringing extensive experience in equity-linked capital market transactions.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team’s work ethic is very strong and you can be sure you’ll be getting a good work product.’
‘Priya Taneja is a superstar! She throws herself headfirst into her work and is able to work through problems in a way that benefits the client.’
‘The MWE team is extremely responsive and thorough. Partners are heavily involved and provide practical solutions’
‘Ranajoy Basu is a standout partner. Ranajoy offers excellent advice, is always available and understands every detail. Ranajoy is particularly commercial – offering high quality legal advice with practical solutions too. This has proven invaluable in negotiating complicated structures with competing interests.’
‘Well respected, capable and responsive team that focuses on advising trustees and agents in a variety of debt capital markets, ranging from high yield debt, private placements, exercises of discretion and restructurings. This practice is compact but high impact. Ranajoy Basu and Priya Taneja work hand in hand to deliver thoughtful comments that help move forward to close deals. I would look to them as a collaborative agency counsel.’
‘Priya Taneja is a standout who provides value add and helps close matters successfully.’
Key clients
Barclays Bank plc
Basileia Investment Holdings UK Limited
BNP Paribas
British Asian Trust / Ground-breaking Skills India Impact Bond.
Citibank, N.A., London Branch
CSC Trustees Limited
La Hoja Capital Management LLC
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Global Loan Agency Services
Madison Pacific
H.I.G./Heliodor 2021 Direct Lending Limited
HSBC
IQEQ (Isle of Man) Limited
IQ EQ Trust Company (Jersey) Limited
Kroll
Mazda Motor Europe GmbH
Wilmington Trust (London) Limited and Wilmington Trust National Association
Olympic Entertainment Group
PT Pertamina EP Cepu
ReNew Energy Global Plc
The Bank of New York Mellon
The Law Debenture Trust Corporation p.l.c.
U.S. Bank Trustees Limited
Vistra (Cayman) Limited
Wenger Plattner
Work highlights
- Assisted Basileia Investment Holdings UK Limited with an English law review of a ZAR1 billion Medium Term Note Programme and the first Series issued under the Programme under a pricing supplement for the issuance of ZAR167 million Floating Rate Notes.
- Acted as German and English legal counsel of Mazda Motor Europe GmbH (“MME”) with respect to a transaction under which MME and other entities from the Mazda group would sell receivables arising from the sale of Mazda vehicles to dealers in various jurisdictions in Europe to an SPV.
- Provided securities law advice to Olympic Entertainment Group on a consent solicitation for bondholders to consider certain amendments to amend and extend the terms of Olympic’s €200 million senior secured notes issued by Odyssey Europe Holdco S.ar.l. Olympic Entertainment Group is a leading provider of gaming services in the Baltic States.
Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has an emerging markets group that is 'very professional and ready to offer tailored services and adapt to client needs'. The lawyers are 'supportive, technically flawless, and practical', according to one client. The multi-disciplinary practice handles capital markets, M&A, and finance transactions, and supports development projects in many sectors. Lead partner Ranajoy Basu is 'available, approachable, responsible, and friendly, and he is able to guide negotiations in a very efficient and pleasant way.' He worked with Priya Taneja to assist United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) with setting up a $500m sharia-compliant fund. Litigators Andrew Savage , who handles commercial and finance disputes and international arbitration, and Michael Darowski, who handles cross-border investment disputes, frequently handle contentious matters in emerging markets. Banking and finance partner Mark Fine and counsel Romilly Holland, who is 'technically strong and a joy to deal with', are also highly recommended.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have the ability to grasp complex problems quickly and provide outstanding quality work.’
‘Romilly Holland is technically strong and a joy to deal with.’
‘Very good and professional team, ready to offer tailored services and adapt to client needs.’
‘McDermott Will & Emery has provided extraordinary support to us in a groundbreaking development finance initiative to help fund development projects in emerging markets. They have been invaluable – from structuring to signing, they have been supportive, technically flawless, and practical. Their global team has helped guide negotiations and hosted events for us in the Middle East, Switzerland, London, and New York.’
‘They have really gone over and beyond for us at every step of the way, and we have benefitted enormously from their expertise, practice, and contacts in development finance and emerging markets. They are always happy to help, incredibly responsive, and technically sophisticated. We often work in frontier markets which are challenging and require innovation, agile thinking, and creativity – the McDermott team has excellent at all of these points. More than any other firm we have worked with, they really seem to be one team: their advice is prompt, coordinated, and ready-to-use. The project would not be as advanced as it is but for their help.’
‘Ranajoy Basu has been incredible. His expertise in emerging markets and development finance is unique: he has long experience working with and in frontier markets. And he has a unique level of experience working for international organisations and UN agencies – development finance in emerging markets is a new and growing field for international organisations, and and we have benefited greatly from Ranajoy’s experience and expertise.’
‘Ranajoy Basu is very available, approachable, responsible, and friendly – it is a pleasure to have meetings and calls with him, and he is able to guide negotiations in a very efficient and pleasant way. He has also been very effective at marshalling the entire firmwide network of McDermott, from partners to business teams, to help us with meetings, events, and negotiations around the world. Simply put, he makes things happen.’
‘Priya Taneja has been tremendously helpful in negotiations and drafting sessions. She brings a lot of excellent technical knowledge and a practical approach to the work, and really helps move things forward. She guides associates and trainees very well, and is great at case management and keeping clients informed of the practical sides of engagement.’
Key clients
AIC Limited
British Asian Trust / Ground-breaking Skills India Impact Bond.
Citibank, N. A. London Branch
GLAS Trustees Limited
Innovative International Acquisition Corp.
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Albania
Petrochemical Holdings GmbH
PT Pertamina EP Cepu
ReNew Energy Global Plc
The Humanitarian Finance Forum (HFF)
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), The United Nations and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB)
Womanity Foundation
Work highlights
- Advised UNHCR and IsDB in relation to an innovative $500 million Shariah compliant global fund (the Fund) to address the developmental and humanitarian needs of over 100 million forcibly displaced people. McDermott acted for the United Nations as lead counsel to the transaction.
- Advised Innovative International Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company, in relation to its entry into a definitive merger agreement with Zoomcar, Inc., the world’s largest emerging market focused car sharing platform.
- Advised GLAS Trustees Limited (GLAS) in its various capacities with respect to a high-profile US$1.1.25 billion restructuring for Nostrum Oil & Gas plc (Nostrum), an LSE-listed independent oil and exploration & production company in northwest Kazakhstan.
Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3
Nicholas Holland and Simon Gibb now co-head the practice at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, which focuses primarily on clients with estates in excess of £500m as well as ultra-high-net-worth billionaires. Its clientele features some of the world’s wealthiest individuals, families, trustees and privately held businesses. It works on many complex cases across various jurisdictions involving disputes and court proceedings, as well as estate administrations and trust structuring matters. It also boasts significant transatlantic private client capabilities. Ziva Robertson has left the firm and is now at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP. Andrew Vergunst has also left the firm.Practice head(s):
Nick Holland; Simon Gibb
Testimonials
‘Given their enormous presence of the firm in the North American market the London team are brilliantly placed to address some of the most complex issues arising for transatlantic families’.
‘Nick Holland – personable, clever and full of ideas; a pleasure to work with’.
Key clients
Hill Street Trustees Ltd, Pavilion Trustees Ltd, and various individual trustee
Royal Bank of Canada
Wealthy French sibling/UHNWI (1 of 3 siblings)
Royal Trust of Canada
Estate of Patrick Kelly
Work highlights
- Continuing to advise Royal Trust of Canada and negotiate with HMRC and the French tax authorities an agreement as to whether a large number of trusts, related to historic mistreatment of the First Nations peoples and their lands, would need to report under the TRS in either the UK or France.
- Advised an UHNWI (a very wealthy French sibling of three) in connection with a number of trusts of which its client is a beneficiary and in connection with proposed Public Trustee v Cooper proceedings in Guernsey.
- Continued to act for three corporate trustees and two individual trustees involved in an invalid deed of retirement and appointment of new trustees.
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 3
The nimble team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has particular strength in international tax matters. It frequently represents wealthy individuals and families, who are typically international and who have financial and family commitments, structures and assets that are located in multiple jurisdictions. The team represents multibillion-dollar net worth families, structures and fiduciaries. There have been some changes to the team: Andrew Vergunst departed in December 2022; Ziva Robertson and Simon Goldring both departed in March 2023; and Simon Gibb and Nicholas Holland both left in the summer of 2024.Other key lawyers:
Abigail Nott; Astrid B Owen
Testimonials
‘The team provides a first class tax advisory and litigation service. They have great technical expertise in personal tax matters, including matters which have an international dimension. They are very good at dealing with trust and tax issues and personal matters such as residence and domicile’.
Abigail Nott is very thorough at researching issues’.
‘Unparalleled expertise in UK/US tax and estate planning’.
‘Astrid Owen – cross border expertise with UK/Europe and US. Thinks outside the box and identifies issues early, from 20,000 feet’.
‘Knowledgeable and efficient. Well spoken, speaks with authority on their areas of expertise, relationships are good’.
Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP‘s ‘exceptionally strong team of very experienced individuals‘ are consistently mandated for bilateral and multilateral investment treaty-related proceedings. Clients additionally benefit from the firm’s enviable global network. Andrew Savage focuses on high-level international commercial arbitration work, while Michael Darowski is ‘one of the best energy lawyers on the market‘. At counsel level, recently-promoted Romilly Holland maintains an active arbitration practice, and Kimberley Smith and Edward Perkins are the associates to note.Practice head(s):
Andrew Savage
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Andrew Savage – very sensible and focuses on the point.’
‘Andrew Savage, has done a great job of building up a team of very impressive associates. Clients couldn’t want a better team.’
‘The partners are knowledgeable, switched on, and good.
‘Michael Darowski is one of the most decent and pleasant lawyers in the market. He’s honest, straightforward, hardworking, smart, and committed.‘
‘Michael Darowski is one of the best energy lawyers on the market, with broad and deep industry knowledge attained over the past decade.‘
‘Michael Darowski’s technical and industry knowledge are second to none, and he’s one of the very few true experts who can converse easily with an oil and gas executive or engineer. Michael is incredibly modest; and, as such, his skills and expertise are likely a well-hidden secret.’
‘McDermott Will & Emery has an exceptionally strong team of very experienced individuals, who provide advice that is always client focused and informed by exceptional knowledge of arbitration. They also benefit from great global coverage.’
‘Edward Perkins and Romilly Holland are both future stars.‘
Key clients
Crescent Petroleum
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Albania
Petrochemical Holdings
AIC
Amnesty International
FQX
Work highlights
- Acting for Albania in ICC proceedings against Hydro, arising under a concession contract for the Kalivac hydropower plant.
- Acting for Crescent Petroleum in a commercial arbitration against National Iranian Oil Company, arising under a gas supply agreement.
- Continues to represent Petrochemical Holdings in ICSID arbitration proceedings against Romania, brought under the Energy Charter Treaty, in respect of an investment in the petrochemical sector.
Finance > High yield Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has a small but active high yield practice in London, which particularly notable for its work on behalf of trustees. Head of finance Ranajoy Basu and counsel Priya Taneja are both key advisers to trustees on new bond issuance and restructurings, and clients note that they exhibit ‘high Levels of responsiveness, commerciality, and good technical knowledge‘. They count Deutsche Bank and US Bank Trustees among their clients. Basu and Taneja (who is ‘a very hard worker and very efficient‘) acted for Citibank and GLAS Trustees Limited in the $1.25bn restructuring for Nostrum Oil & Gas plc.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They do trustee work on high yield matters.’
‘Ranajoy Basu is one of the go-to guys for trustee work on high yield matters.’
‘High levels of responsiveness. Commerciality, good technical knowledge.’
‘Priya Taneja is a very hard worker and very efficient.’
‘Highly experienced team with particular expertise and experience in acting for Agents. The team acts for most of the leading independent agents and has an impressive track record, also acting in distressed cases / handling enforcement and restructurings on behalf of the Agent.’
‘I have worked intensively with Priya Taneja on a complex restructuring. She is truly excellent. Very well organised and solution driven, whilst protecting the interests of her clients.’
Key clients
Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch
HSBC
Citibank, N.A., London Branch
Bank of New York Mellon
Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas
Deutsche Trustee Company Limited
Wilmington Trust (London) Limited and Wilmington Trust, National Association
Kroll Trustee Services Limited
U.S. Bank Trustees Limited
GLAS Trust Company LLC
Work highlights
- Advised GLAS Trustees Limited (GLAS) in its various capacities with respect to a high-profile US$1.1.25 billion restructuring for Nostrum Oil & Gas plc (Nostrum), an LSE-listed independent oil and exploration & production company in northwest Kazakhstan.
- Having acted on Lundin’s US $2 billion high yield issuance and separately on Aker’s US $1.25 billion high yield issuance, the firm advised on one of the most complex and high-profile reorganisations of 2022.
- Acted for Citibank in its capacity as trustee on one of the largest financial, debt and corporate restructurings of Naviera Armas, S.A. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) (c. €1 billion).
Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 4
The ‘highly collaborative‘ team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has broad expertise in medtech and remote medicine issues, often acting for technology, biotech and pharmaceutical clients. Practice head Sharon Lamb maintains a strong transaction-focused practice, advising on M&A and joint venture arrangements for digital health and life sciences companies. ‘Truly stand-out‘ practitioner Hamid Yunis has longstanding expertise in public-private partnerships and corporate financing issues within the healthcare space. Associate David Gibson is particularly adept at handling matters concerning procurements, outsourcings and private patient services. The ‘exceptional‘ Gary Howes has vast knowledge spanning commercial contracts and patent licensing agreements.Practice head(s):
Sharon Lamb
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
They are highly collaborative, serving as a trusted counsel for our key stakeholders alike.’
‘The team’s strengths and key capabilities are the breadth and depth of their knowledge and experience. We consider MWE to be our core partner and are proud to work with them as a firm.’
‘Hamid Yunis is truly stand-out.’
‘Excellent ability to understand licenses. Good US practice means understands the bigger picture for dealing with UK companies.’
‘Gary Howes is exceptional.’
Key clients
Fortius Clinic
Zura Bio Limited
BehaVR, Inc.
Auctus
PharmaLex Group
Summit Partners
Elite Body Sculpture
Cleveland Clinic London
Africa Cancer Control Partners, LLC.
Community Health and Eyecare Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Fortius Clinic on its transaction to acquire Schoen Clinic London from Schoen Clinic Group, a German hospital group.
- Advising Elite Body Sculpture on its non-US expansion plans in the UK, Canada and the UAE. The firm advising on strategic, healthcare regulatory, corporate, tax, commercial, privacy, employment, and real estate matters.
- Advised Zura Bio Limited on its business combination with JATT Acquisition Corp in a deSPAC transaction.
Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 4
Headed by the ‘wonderfully imaginative and thoughtful’ Simon Airey, the McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP corporate crime practice has extensive expertise in HMRC, SFO, and FCA investigations. The team shows considerable strength in handling cross-border proceedings, routinely dealing with the US DoJ and SEC, along with advising clients on regulatory compliance issues. Airey specialises in global proceedings surrounding tax and financial crime, associate James Dobias is described as being ‘destined for great things’ due to his knowledge of anti-money laundering and bribery matters, whilst William Merry focuses on corruption and fraud affairs.Practice head(s):
Simon Airey
Other key lawyers:
James Dobias; William Merry
Testimonials
‘I have worked with Simon Airey on a number of clients and find his wide ranging knowledge and experience of financial and regulatory crime including money laundering and tax fraud on a UK and global basis quite exceptional. In addition to his knowledge and experience, Simon skilfully builds excellent relationships with the client and intermediaries.’
‘Simon Airey is bursting with charm and energy. He is calm and clear eyed in the most difficult circumstances. He has achieved an enormous coup by recruiting James Dobias – who is one of the stars of the future.’
‘Simon Airey is a wonderfully imaginative and thoughtful lawyer. He achieves astonishing results and has generated enormous good will among his clients. James Dobias is a name to watch. His attention to detail is breathtaking. They work well with other teams and are highly practical and efficient.’
‘Simon Airey is an imaginative and sophisticated lawyer who will always find a solution to any problem. He is a delight to work with and can fit into any setting in any jurisdiction.’
‘James Dobias is a young associate but is destined for great things.’
‘A small, very focused team, which works closely with the client. Huge experience and they understand our industry very well, which allows them to give advice tailored and more relevant and useful to us. The MWE team works well with people within our business and is sympathetic to the fact colleagues have a busy day job.’
‘The experience and knowledge of the team members is impressive. They’ve gone through a lot and so can bring an extensive breadth of expertise when advising clients. They are all good to work with and you get a sense that they genuinely care about the client rather than are driven by billable hours. The lead partner’s knowledge of our sector also gives MWE an important head start over other firms we use.’
‘The practice, led by Simon Airey, is unique due to the pragmatic and “can do” attitude in handling sensitive investigations and allegations of corporate crime. As well as keeping in mind business objectives, Simon’s team does this in a way that keeps the company safe from a regulatory perspective, mindful of the position of other key stakeholders.’
Key clients
Entain Plc
Bet365
William Hill (member of the 888 group)
Strategic investment advisor at Shell
TREO
Skywind
CDW Limited
World Jewish Relief
Playtech
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP acts on both corporate and personal tax matters for a range of international clients, offering multijurisdictional support. Team lead Kevin Cummings has expertise in capital markets, banking, and private equity matters. Sarah Gabbai made counsel in January 2023, and is particularly active on behalf of multinational technology, healthcare and life sciences clients.Practice head(s):
Kevin Cummings
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Kevin Cummings is a proactive advisor which gives us comfort that we, as a client, aren’t falling behind the curve relative to peers. Kevin invests in the relationship, which means he is able to hone in on the real issues that are truly relevant.’
‘A friendly and dynamic team which is always professional and collegiate with opposite counsel, with an unwavering focus on completing the transaction.’
‘Kevin Cummings is an exceptional lawyer. He is outstanding in his ability to understand client needs and flags points for client consideration, and provides a robust sounding board. He is friendly, focussed and very pragmatic. He has excellent market knowledge and always happy to share information and discuss what is happening in the market.’
‘First class subject knowledge, commitment to the client and industry insight make the McDermott team a standout in the corporate tax world.��
‘Kevin Cummings is an absolute standout. Completely first-rate knowledge, experience and commitment to finding solutions for clients.’
‘A firm which demonstrates a seamless collaboration between their UK and US teams. They understand that we need joined-up cross-border advice for cross-border issues. Having the client relationship in London keeps it simple rather than providing administrative irritations.’
Key clients
TA Associates
Auctus Capital Partners
BehaVR, Inc.
Puttshack Ltd
Great Point Partners
Maitland International Partners
WEP Clinical
Pritzker Private Capital
Pro bono initiative – Disguised Remuneration Settlement
Opportunity Proposal
Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.
Unigestion
Naxicap Partners and Eqwal Group
Summit Partners
Ampersand
British Asian Trust
SilverTree Equity
BT Pension Scheme
CFA Institute
Cygnet Healthcare
Centene Corporation
Management of Unilabs
Eight Roads Holdings
Signa Sports United
Management of Winncare
Work highlights
- Represented TA Associates, a leading Boston-based private equity firm, in its acquisition of Smiths Medical, the medical devices and technologies business of the Smiths Group plc.
- Represented BehaVR in its merger with OxfordVR, a UK-based spin-out of Oxford University and backed by Oxford Science Enterprises and Optum Ventures.
Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 5
The ‘technically strong and commercial’ team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP provides ‘insightful yet very practical advice’ to funds, in lender and borrower roles, primarily within the mid-market leveraged finance sphere. Team head Aymen Mahmoud has ‘exceptional knowledge of the acquisition finance space’, and since his arrival, along with the ‘hugely intelligent and commercially savvy lawyer’ Mark Fine in May 2020, has provided huge impetus to the finance offering and gained considerable market share.Practice head(s):
Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Mark Fine; Giulia Venanzoni
Testimonials
‘The team is adept at providing insightful yet very practical advice.’
‘The team has excellent capacity to understand both mid-market and upper market documents and advise clients accordingly.’
‘It is a very technically strong and commercial team.’
‘A lean and efficient team that manages to punch well above its weight.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud is our trusted adviser on all matters related to our loan facility. Hands-on, knowledgeable, deep industry insights and very responsive.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud has exceptional knowledge of the acquisition finance space. On transactions he is hands on, resourceful and very commercial.’
‘Mark Fine is a hugely intelligent and commercially savvy lawyer. He is technically excellent and understands the bigger picture.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Aksiom Services Group
Alcentra Limited
Alter Domus
Aquiline Capital Partners
Ares Management Limited
bd-capital
Blue Owl (formerly Owl Rock)
Blue Water Private Equity LLP
Cairn Capital
Caura Ltd
ClearCourse
CoachHub GmbH
CVC Credit
Excellence Logging Limited
Five Arrows Growth Capital
FQX
GLAS Specialist Services Limited
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Golub Capital LLC
Guggenheim Partners Limited
HPS Investment Partners
Intriva Capital
Laboratoire X.O.
Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd
MessageBird B.V.
Odyssey Europe Holdco S.à r.l. (holding company of Olympic Entertainment Group)
OpenGate Capital Management Europe Sarl (and its portfolio companies Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems and EverZinc)
Orbus Group
Palamon Capital Partners (and portfolio company FairConnect)
Parent Cloud Limited
Partners Group
Pemberton Capital Advisors LLP
Perwyn Advisors UK Limited
PX Group
QMetric Group Limited
Royal Bank of Canada
Sanne
SilverTree Equity Partners LLP
Sirius Petroleum PLC
Sona Asset Management
Synova Capital (and portfolio insurance brokerage business JMG Group)
Treo Asset Management LLC (previously known as BRG Asset Management)
Weight Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Golub Capital, as lender, on the acquisition of Outpost24, a cybersecurity risk management group, by Vitruvian Partners as sponsor.
- Advised Aquiline Capital Partners and ClearCourse on financing provided by BlackRock and Goldman Sachs.
- Advised Five Arrows Growth Capital (FAGC), as sponsors, on the funding for their acquisition of the Padoa group.
Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5
The 'nimble and very approachable' team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP provides 'pragmatic, commercially-minded and technically superb' advice to a myriad stakeholders across a range of work in the contentious and non- contentious restructuring sector. Drawing upon the firm's wider finance capabilities and US footprint, the team is particularly adept at formulating innovative solutions for stakeholders throughout the capital structure and is appreciated for its ability to handle 'complex, multi-jurisdictional projects with ambition and creativity'. Mark Fennessy best demonstrates this solutions-oriented approach and excels 'in successfully conducting complex and often contentious matters co-ordinating client teams and other stakeholders involved'. Fennessy co-heads the team alongside the 'highly responsive and very knowledgeable' Aymen Mahmoud.Practice head(s):
Mark Fennessy; Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Sunay Radia; Mark Fine; Alexander Andronikou; Marcia Shekerdemian; Victoria Kuhn
Testimonials
‘The team is nimble and very approachable.’
‘This is a pragmatic, commercially-minded and technically-superb team, which puts client service at the centre of its focus. One of its key qualities is an absolute dedication to providing solutions to clients and working around the clock to achieve that.’
‘Their knowledge and ability to deal with complex restructurings in line with the risk appetite of their clients is top notch.’
‘Versatile, multi-skilled team able to take on large, complex, multi-jurisdictional projects with ambition and creativity.’
‘Mark Fennessy has a superb grasp of the big picture and of creating strategy to achieve his clients’ goals.’
‘Mark Fennessy is an exceptional leader, whose key talent lies in successfully conducting complex and often contentious matters co-ordinating client teams and other stakeholders involved.’
‘Sunay Radia is second to none in availability, problem solving and safe guarding your position in a transaction.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud is highly responsive and very knowledgeable.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
GLAS SAS (London Branch)
GLAS Trustees Limited
GLAS Trust Corporation Limited
Global Loan Agency Services Limited (“GLAS”)
HPS Investment Partners
Odyssey Europe Holdco S.à r.l.
QMetric Group Limited
TREO Asset Management LLC
TREO NOAL GP Sarl
Work highlights
- Representing TREO in its capacity as the general partner and investment manager of NOAL SCSp Fund (formerly known as the Novalpina Fund), in relation to all aspects of its role relating to the fund assets.
- Representing GLAS in various trustee and agent capacities of circa $1.2bn billion of notes and €400m of bank debt issues by the Ukrainian DTEK energy group.
- Advising GLAS as trustee and security agent on the restructuring of €515m senior notes issued by Mulhacen Pte Ltd (parent company of Spanish online bank, Wizink) and the raising of €250m new capital for Wizink.
Employment > Employers Tier 6
Katie Clark, an expert on contentious employment matters including team moves, restrictive covenants, discrimination and whistleblowing, leads the London team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP. On the non-contentious side the firm is recommended for its skill in data privacy, HR matters and TUPE. Paul McGrath is specifically recommended for his expertise in data protection issues.Practice head(s):
Katie Clark
Other key lawyers:
Paul McGrath
Testimonials
‘Paul McGrath has a depth of knowledge whilst being very pragmatic and always ensures clients are aware of any risks and how to minimise these. He is also personable and down to earth and explains issues in a clear manner.’
‘Katie Clark is excellent. She is completely responsive, incredibly bright and really user-friendly.’
Key clients
WSP
D. E. Shaw & Co
Marken
Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 6
While it is primarily aligned to servicing its private credit clients as lenders and borrowers on leveraged finance matters, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP‘s ‘deep industry insights’ across a wide range of finance products, including as it relates to TLB, revenue-based lending, direct lending and special situations work, ensures that has the flexibility and overarching financing capability to also advise on more general new money and distressed work. Team head Aymen Mahmoud is ‘highly commercial and understands client needs’.Practice head(s):
Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Mark Fine; Giulia Venanzoni
Testimonials
‘Hands-on, knowledgeable, deep industry insights and very responsive.’
‘They have an ability to think proactively on difficult situations to protect their clients.’
‘The very responsive Aymen Mahmoud is hands-on, knowledgeable and has deep industry insights.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud is highly commercial and understands client needs.’
‘Mark Fine is very intelligent and commercially savvy.’
Key clients
Abu Dhabi Investment Authority
Aksiom Services Group
Alcentra Limited
Alter Domus
Aquiline Capital Partners
Ares Management Limited
bd-capital
Blue Owl (formerly Owl Rock)
Blue Water Private Equity LLP
Cairn Capital
Caura Ltd
ClearCourse
CoachHub GmbH
CVC Credit
Excellence Logging Limited
Five Arrows Growth Capital
FQX
GLAS Specialist Services Limited
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Golub Capital LLC
Guggenheim Partners Limited
HPS Investment Partners
Intriva Capital
Laboratoire X.O.
Mercuria Energy Trading Pte Ltd
MessageBird B.V.
Odyssey Europe Holdco S.à r.l. (holding company of Olympic Entertainment Group)
OpenGate Capital Management Europe Sarl (and its portfolio companies Kongsberg Precision Cutting Systems and EverZinc)
Orbus Group
Palamon Capital Partners (and portfolio company FairConnect)
Parent Cloud Limited
Partners Group
Pemberton Capital Advisors LLP
Perwyn Advisors UK Limited
PX Group
QMetric Group Limited
Royal Bank of Canada
Sanne
SilverTree Equity Partners LLP
Sirius Petroleum PLC
Sona Asset Management
Synova Capital (and portfolio insurance brokerage business JMG Group)
Treo Asset Management LLC (previously known as BRG Asset Management)
Weight Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Goldman Sachs Asset Management and Guggenheim Partners Limited as lenders in connection with their refinancing of Invesco Software Holdings Limited’s existing debt.
- Advised Treo Asset Management as sponsor, and Odyssey Europe Holdco S.à r.l. on the restructuring and reorganisation of the OEG group’s capital structure, consent solicitation process to amend and extend its 8.00% senior secured notes due 2023 and repayment of its super senior revolving facility.
- Advised the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and HPS Investment Partners as sponsors, and QMetric Group Limited, as borrower, on the refinancing of certain existing indebtedness of the Group and debt restructuring through a financing provided by National Westminster Bank.
Real estate > Property finance Tier 6
Projects, energy and natural resources > Power (including electricity and nuclear)
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: McDermott Will & Emery partners with leaders around the world to fuel missions, knock down barriers and shape markets. Our team works seamlessly across practices, industries and more than 20 locations to deliver highly effective—and often unexpected—solutions that propel success. More than 1,400+ lawyers strong, we bring our personal passion and legal prowess to bear in every matter for our clients and the people they serve.
Main areas of practice
Corporate and transactional: Our seasoned lawyers represent the full spectrum of corporate interests around the world, from global corporations to family-owned businesses to privately held companies. Our lawyers thrive on solving the most complex business problems facing their clients today and mapping out strategies to drive clients’ success tomorrow. Broad capabilities include seamless transactional services, such as negotiating cross-border acquisitions or outsourcing deals, representing issuers in public offerings, securing preferred financial credit arrangements for borrowers or navigating a business restructuring. Of particular note is our geographical reach; international clients regularly turn to the London team to advise on transactions across Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the team is renowned for the ability to effectively manage transactions on a global scale.
Dispute resolution, international arbitration, white-collar: Our lawyers focus on commercial and finance disputes and international arbitration, offering a wealth of experience across all sectors and industries, including finance, insolvency, energy, insurance (for policy holders), fraud, commodities, shipping, construction, IT and art theft. Our white-collar lawyers focus on global, cross-border and internal investigations, financial and regulatory crime, bribery and corruption, money laundering, tax and fraud inquiries, data breaches, dawn raids, asset tracing, international enforcement and corporate compliance issues. The team represents both companies and individuals in criminal and regulatory proceedings and in associated litigation and has conducted a wide range of investigations and corporate defence assignments in different sectors, including construction, defence, financial services, gambling, oil and gas, logistics, pharmaceuticals and telecommunications.
Employment: Our lawyers help clients attract and retain workers at every level, enter and exit markets as business conditions warrant, develop and implement effective employment policies, identify and protect trade secrets and other confidential information, and negotiate and enforce employment contracts. We advise clients on the full range of UK and EU employment issues, including wrongful and unfair dismissal, executive severance, confidentiality and restrictive covenants, employee fraud, discrimination, union recognition, TUPE, pensions and employment, employee benefits and data protection aspects of acquisitions.
Finance: Our finance practice lawyers offer top-level banking, finance and securities advice including in acquisition finance; corporate and fund finance; high yield; Islamic finance; projects and project finance; real estate finance and business restructuring. The team also covers all aspects of capital markets and securities issuance, with extensive experience in advising on a variety of complex transactional and regulatory matters.
Healthcare and life sciences: Our team provides unparalleled legal acumen rooted in decades of experience and forward growth powered by unconventional thinking. We partner with clients on the full range of healthcare-related issues, helping to navigate the issues that matter when it comes to achieving missions and solidifying positions in the market. Leveraging on the firm’s market leading reputation in healthcare, our lawyers in the UK practice advise on M&A, investments, and corporate finance, and have substantial experience in innovative structures for complex joint-ventures, public-private partnerships and funding arrangements across EMEA. The team also provides comprehensive healthcare regulatory advice, counselling a number of entities in relation to engagements with the NHS, including the provision of operational services, digital health and data privacy, medtech and life sciences matters.
Private equity: Our team delivers strategic advice on private equity transactions at all stages of the investment life cycle, including control, non-control and minority investments, public-to-private transactions, buyouts and recapitalisations, mergers and acquisitions, growth capital investments and buy-and-build strategies, acquisition finance/refinance, and on all manner of exit strategies. We represent clients across a wide range of different industries and jurisdictions, providing market leading international deal structuring advice.
Private client and wealth management: From the global to the personal, the firm brings its full-service network to bear in helping closely held business owners and high-net-worth individuals effectively structure their assets, meet their wealth transfer and planning goals, and make their mark philanthropically. As clients make the critical decisions that shape their personal, business, tax, civic and charitable concerns around the world, we will be at their side with creative, customized solutions. Our lawyers advise clients across the globe on all aspects of cross-border wealth management, trust and estate planning, and wealth transfer issues, with particular experience in UK, US and South African legal, tax and compliance matters.
Restructuring and insolvency: Our restructuring team offers leading expertise in complex bankruptcy, insolvency and restructuring issues, advising on the market’s most high-profile, high-stakes, legally pioneering and financially significant matters. The practice maintains a variety of insolvency-related engagements, which provides the firm with a unique insight into how the other side is thinking, giving it a competitive advantage. The firm is best-known for its collaborative, deal-oriented approach to insolvency transactions and litigation.
Real estate: Our real estate team provides a comprehensive, high quality service for clients’ real estate acquisition, operation, leasing, financing and development needs. The team covers the full range of real estate mandates, from the structuring of large, complex acquisitions through to development and ultimate disposition. Backed by the world’s leading health care practice, the team also has extensive experience handling real estate matters for companies in the health industry.
Tax: Our lawyers provide multi-disciplinary service on all UK and international tax issues concerning corporate and commercial business matters, including mergers, acquisitions, spinoffs, flotations, corporate structuring, asset and structured finance, treasury management, cross-border transactions, transfer pricing and mediation.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Ira Coleman | ||
Managing Partner (London) | Hamid Yunis | ||
Corporate & Transactional | Tom Whelan | ||
Corporate & Transactional | Nicholas Azis | ||
Corporate Finance | Mark Fine | ||
Corporate Finance | Aymen Mahmoud | ||
Dispute Resolution & International Arbitration | Andrew Savage | ||
Employment | Katie Clark, Paul McGrath | ||
Emerging Markets, Corporate Finance, Capital Markets | Ranajoy Basu | ||
Healthcare | Sharon Lamb, Hamid Yunis | ||
Private Equity | Tom Whelan | ||
Private Wealth | Simon Goldring | ||
Private Wealth Disputes | Nicholas Holland | ||
Restructuring & Insolvency | Mark Fennessy | ||
Tax | Kevin Cummings | ||
White Collar | Simon Airey |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Simon Airey | Partner Simon Airey focuses his practice on global, cross-border and internal investigations,… | View Profile | |
Nicholas Azis | Nick is a partner in the corporate department, where his practice focuses… | View Profile | |
Ranajoy Basu | Partner Ranajoy Basu focuses his practice on structured finance with key experience… | View Profile | |
Ms Andrea Best | Andrea T. Best advises clients on insurance regulatory compliance throughout the United… | View Profile | |
David Birchall | David is counsel, he advises clients on the full range of energy… | View Profile | |
Matthew Chen | Associate Matthew Chen focuses his practice on UK and international private equity… | View Profile | |
Mr Philip Corser | Philip Corser focuses his practice on global and UK corporate transactions. He… | View Profile | |
Mr Kevin Cummings | Kevin Cummings is the partner-in-charge of the Firm’s UK Tax Practice. Kevin… | View Profile | |
Mr Michael Darowski | Michael Darowski focuses his practice on international commercial and investment disputes resolved… | View Profile | |
Ms Elisa De Carolis | Elisa De Carolis focuses her practice on complex corporate transactional mandates for… | View Profile | |
Ms Raminta Dereskeviciute | Raminta Dereskeviciute focuses her practice on product compliance, trade regulation (sanctions and… | View Profile | |
Mr James Dobias | James Dobias focuses his practice on a wide range of domestic and… | View Profile | |
Mark Fennessy | Partner Mark Fennessy focuses his practice on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and… | View Profile | |
Mark Fine | Partner Mark Fine focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for… | View Profile | |
Sarah Gabbai | Sarah is an associate, she focuses her practice on corporate tax and… | View Profile | |
David Gibson | David is an associate, he focuses his practice on commercial health care,… | View Profile | |
Garrett Hayes | Garrett Hayes focuses his practice on a broad range of cross-border and… | View Profile | |
Romilly Holland | Associate Romilly Holland focuses her practice on international commercial and investment arbitration… | View Profile | |
Mr Gary Howes | Gary Howes has nearly 25 years of experience advising clients in the… | View Profile | |
Christopher Kandel | Christopher Kandel focuses his practice on leveraged, special situations and acquisition finance… | View Profile | |
Mr Usman Khan | Usman Khan is a partner in the Firm’s London Finance, Restructuring and… | View Profile | |
Shah Jahan Khandokar | Shah Jahan Khandokar focuses his practice on project development and has extensive… | View Profile | |
Ms Sharon Lamb | Sharon is a partner, she focuses her practice on health care transactions,… | View Profile | |
Aymen Mahmoud | Partner Aymen Mahmoud focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for… | View Profile | |
Vladimir Maly | Vlad Maly has a broad corporate practice, representing clients on general corporate… | View Profile | |
Mr Chris Marshall | Chris Marshall advises clients on a range of corporate matters including acquisitions… | View Profile | |
Paul McGrath | Paul is a partner, he advises clients across a broad range of… | View Profile | |
Elisabeth Moseley | Elisabeth is a counsel, she focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions in… | View Profile | |
Mr Armando Neris | Armando Neris focuses his practice on commercial litigation and arbitration, together with… | View Profile | |
Ms Bella North | Bella North focuses her practice on advising clients in the healthcare and… | View Profile | |
Ms Abigail Nott | Abigial Nott advises clients on various international and onshore private client matters.… | View Profile | |
Fatema Orjela | Fatema is an award-winning private equity partner whose practice focuses on providing… | View Profile | |
Mr Edward Perkins | Edward Perkins focuses his practice on disputes arising from cross-border investments and… | View Profile | |
Ms Ludovica Rabitti | Ludovica Rabitti focuses her practice on regulatory and corporate advisory matters, with… | View Profile | |
Sunay Radia | Partner Sunay Radia focuses his practice on financial restructuring transactions, including high… | View Profile | |
Ms Jennifer Ronz | Jennifer Ronz focuses her practice on large-scale commercial dispute resolution as well… | View Profile | |
Andrew Savage | Andrew is a partner, he focuses his practice on commercial and finance… | View Profile | |
Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan | Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan represents multinational companies and investors on cross-border business transactions, including… | View Profile | |
Kimberley Smith | Associate, Kimberley Smith focuses her practice on commercial litigation and arbitration. She… | View Profile | |
Priya Taneja | Priya is a counsel, her practice includes a broad range of structured… | View Profile | |
Adv Jack Thorne | Jack Thorne focuses his practice on litigation and dispute resolution, advising across… | View Profile | |
Ms Giulia Venanzoni | Giulia Venanzoni focuses her practice on corporate and financial services advising private… | View Profile | |
Ms Heloise Waudby | Heloise Waudby advises clients on various matters of corporate law including mergers… | View Profile | |
Eleanor West | Eleanor advises clients on UK and international private equity investments and buy-out… | View Profile | |
Hamid Yunis | Hamid is a managing partner for our London office and partner-in-charge of… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 30 Number of other UK fee-earners : 45Comparative Guides
-
Belgium: Merger Control
Published: October 2023
Authors: Hendrik Viaene
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Merger Control laws and regulations applicable in Belgium.
-
Cross-Border Financing Trends in Middle Market Transactions
Published: April 2022
Authors: Aymen Mahmoud Stephanie S. McCann
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £500m)
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Gaming and betting
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market
- Finance > Debt capital markets
- Industry focus > Emerging markets
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Finance > High yield
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax
- Finance > Acquisition finance
- Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency