McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP Offices
22 Bishopsgate
London
EC2N 4BQ
England
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McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m Tier 3
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP’s ‘first-rate commercial litigation practice’ is highly experienced in multi-jurisdictional disputes and its wide-ranging expertise extends to insolvencies, privacy, risk management, and arbitration and enforcement matters. ‘Unflappable in fast-moving, high-stakes situations’, Andrew Savage represents clients from the financial services, technology, insurance and energy sectors in commercial disputes. China expert Peter Lu, whose industry expertise covers insurance, financial services, life sciences and pharmaceuticals, is a 2023 hire from Baker McKenzie LLP. Jack Thorne is a ‘standout’ commercial litigator. Also key to the group are the ’very technically skilled’ Kimberley Smith, and cross-border disputes practitioner Edward Perkins.Practice head(s):
Andrew Savage
Other key lawyers:
Peter Lu; Jack Thorne; Kimberley Smith; Edward Perkins; Romilly Holland
Testimonials
‘MWE has a first-rate commercial litigation practice that is active across a wide range of different commercial matters.’
‘Very strong understanding of the requirements for complex English High Court litigation.’
‘A highly-capable and effective practice, and never outgunned in even the most high-value, high-stakes, multi-front and multi-jurisdictional disputes. Recommended without hesitation.’
‘Very strong management skills in relation to large-scale discovery and highly-technical pleadings.’
‘Andrew Savage – hugely experienced, and unflappable in fast-moving, high-stakes situations. Excellent with clients.’
‘Jack Thorne provides extremely clear and comprehensible advice on highly-complex litigation.’
‘Jack Thorne is a standout performer. He has the impeccable judgement that is essential for top litigators and a real ability to connect with clients.’
‘Kimberley Smith is a top-level senior associate – very technically skilled, hard-working, practical, and easy to work with.’
Key clients
eir
Everbridge
Opera Finance International
Signa Holdings
Community Health and Eyecare
Practice Group Plus
Petrochemical Holdings
HIG Capital
AIC
Amnesty International
Work highlights
- Representing the insolvency administrators of Signa Holdings (Signa) in a claim brought against Signa in the Commercial Court for an alleged €15m commission-related oral agreement.
- Acting for Community Health and Eyecare in relation to the rights of patients to access NHS services and choose their NHS provider.
- Representing Practice Plus Group in its procurement challenge against NHS England in relation to the procurement of healthcare services for 10 prisons across the South West of England.
Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is particularly active on the trustee side, though it also has a broad issuer and underwriter practice. Head of structured finance and capital markets Ranajoy Basu, who also leads the firm’s India desk, ‘easily understands and interprets challenging information‘. Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan, who works in both London and Singapore, acts for APAC and EMEA investment bank underwriters, issuers, and vendors in capital markets transactions. Newly promoted Priya Taneja has ‘great knowledge of the industry, and makes things easy and clear to understand‘. ESG and social impact financings are also the firm’s forte.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘We’ve worked with McDermott for a long time, so we know what to expect in regards to their knowledge and helpfulness – we are very comfortable working with them.’
‘Priya Taneja has great knowledge of the industry, knows what we like and don’t like in our documents, makes things easy and clear to understand and follow and looks out for our views very well.‘
‘The team provides excellent hands-on and commercial approach. All team members are extremely knowledgeable and personable.’
‘Ranajoy Basu is a standout lawyer. Ranajoy has vast experience and easily understands and interprets challenging information.’
‘We have worked a lot with McDermott on restructuring matters. They provide an extremely efficient service.’
‘I like Priya Taneja a lot. She is very well organised, knowledgeable and a true pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
Barclays Bank plc
BNP Paribas
Citibank, N.A., London Branch
CSC Trustees Limited
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
Kroll
Wilmington Trust (London) Limited and Wilmington Trust National Association
Olympic Entertainment Group
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
- Advised Vistra in its capacity as a Note Issuer SPV Administrator across eight legacy Lehman Brothers Japanese apartment loan securitisations, established in 2007.
- Ongoing corporate and securities law advice for ReNew, one of the leading renewable energy independent power producers in India and globally.
- Advised IQ EQ Trust Company (Jersey) Limited as Property Nominees, acting for the benefit of certain Beneficial Owners, in relation to two securitisations whereby Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Ltd (“SSL”) had sold the freehold of 26 of its supermarkets and entered into a sub-lease of each supermarket.
Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is active in the full spectrum of finance transactions, notably structured finance, complex securitisations, debt capital markets and high yield issuance, though it also handles litigation, arbitration, sanctions, and ESG-related work in emerging markets. Lead partner Ranajoy Basu and Priya Taneja focus on capital markets, particularly in India. Litigator Andrew Savage and arbitrator Michael Darowski are key names. Corporate partner Elisabeth Moseley recently played a pivotal role in the acquisition of interests in oil and gas blocks in Angola on behalf of an Africa-focused oil and gas development, production and exploration company. Shah Jahan Khandokar is noted for his wide-ranging energy sector acumen, advising on major renewable projects across a number of markets.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero)
Republic of Indonesia
Galapagos Cable Systems
Pertamina EP Cepu (PEPC)
Tende Energy Plc
SICP Limited
Oasis Pioneers Manufacturing Limited
Elephant Oil Corp
Petrochemical Holdings GmbH
AIC Limited
Amnesty International
ReNew Energy Global Plc
Work highlights
- Advising the Republic of Indonesia and state-owned energy company Persero on multiple highly significant projects, including all of the Republic of Indonesia’s initiatives to meet its net zero emissions target under the Paris Agreement.
- Advising Galapagos Cable Systems in the development of a subsea telecoms cable between Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands.
- Advising SICP Limited and Oasis Pioneers Manufacturing Limited on the development of a USD 450mn petrochemical facility to be located on the Sadara complex, KSA.
Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 3
Lauded for advice that ‘balances the risks and benefits of any given approach clearly’, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is active across regulatory matters such as medical device certifications and transactional work spanning M&A, IP transfers and growth capital investments. Sharon Lamb heads up the team and has a far-reaching practice spanning commercial, regulatory and transactional expertise. Hamid Yunis is a key contact for private equity transactions. Michal Berkner, who joined from Cooley (UK) LLP in February 2024, further bolsters the team’s transactional capacities and counts takeover defences, corporate governance, and joint ventures among her practice strengths. David Gibson and Bella North are further key names to note.Practice head(s):
Sharon Lamb
Other key lawyers:
Hamid Yunis; Michal Berkner; Eleanor West; Gary Howes; Gary Howes; Bella North
Testimonials
‘Their understanding of the environment in which their clients are working is exceptional, and their advice balances the risks and benefits of any given approach clearly. They are responsive and flexible. ’
‘Sharon Lamb is the best partner I have ever worked with and her support of navigating some very challenging situations has been above and beyond expectations. Her contribution to our organisation is more than just her legal excellence as she also supports another important aspect of our work in the healthtech sector such as diversity and inclusion.’
‘Good broad knowledge of the life sciences area – with the ability to span US and Europe.’
‘I’ve worked with Gary Howes for years and find him an extremely pragmatic, knowledgeable, commercial lawyer.’
‘Extremely high quality and commercial advice.’
‘Sharon Lamb is an excellent partner.’
‘Exceptional knowledge of the healthcare sector, regulation and legislation. Forensic approach to research, preparation and delivery. A team that embraces diversity. Well-networked within healthcare.’
‘Gary Howes is a great client leader.’
Key clients
Novartis Groupe France SAS
Zura Bio Limited
Vesey Street Capital Partners
Fortius/Affidea
ProductLife Group Limited
I.Q. Endoscope
Supporting Wounded Veterans Limited
Ampersand Capital Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Novartis Groupe France SAS on the sale of the company CellforCure and its cell and gene therapy development and production site in Les Ulis, France, to Seqens SAS.
- Advised Vesey Street Capital Partners (“VSCP”), a New-York based sector specialist PE firm investing in pharma services companies on the acquisition of the Inceptua group of companies (“Inceptua”) (“Inceptua Acquisition”) and the investment, by the primary seller and Inceptua management in the equity structure going forward (“Inceptua Investment”).
- Advised Zura Bio Limited on several transactions including, on its licence and collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly & Company, whereby Zura acquired rights to potential autoimmune disease drug tibulizumab (renamed ZB-106) from Lilly.
Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 3
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP‘s expertise covers the entire array of contentious trusts and tax issues. Its clients range from high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and families to institutional trustees, beneficiaries, protectors, and enforcers. The practice has a particular focus on clients with estates in excess of £500m and billionaires. Its transatlantic private client capabilities are also noteworthy.Other key lawyers:
Anita Franklin
Testimonials
‘The MWE coverage in the United States is undoubtedly one of the strongest in the market in terms of both the number of offices and the quality of the lawyers practising from there. This gives great confidence when working with the London office, who have the depth and sophistication to deal with private client matters.’
Key clients
Friends of University College London Trustees
Work highlights
- Representing the Friends of University College London Trustees in issues relating to the reconstitution of the trust deed and appointments of the current trustees.
- Representing an ultra-high-net-worth Canadian businessman who was the founder of a software company that uses specialised technology to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and increase the value of energy market operations.
Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 3
The dynamic team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP frequently advises high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals and their families. Its strategic focus is on representing clients with estates in excess of £500m and billionaires, both those resident in the UK and internationally.Testimonials
‘Very considered advice, very available and very thorough research.’
‘A highly experienced and professional team to work with that provide exceptional expertise.’
‘Excellent coverage of UK/UK matters and the overlap between the two jurisdictions.’
‘Excellent technical knowledge of tax law, including both international groups, trust and HMWIs with a cross-border aspect. Good teamwork both within the tax department and liaising with other departments. Great attention to detail and always produces work within the agreed time frame.’
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £500m) Tier 4
Especially noted for its capabilities in the healthcare and life sciences sectors, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP frequently advises on high-value, cross-border transactions. The team has been bolstered by a number of recent arrivals. Jason Zemmel is an experienced healthcare specialist who arrived from CMS in October 2024. Fatema Orjela, who joined the firm from Sidley Austin in April 2024, is highly regarded for her transactional experience in a host of sectors and jurisdictions, while Sebastien Bonneau – who joined from Eversheds Sutherland in September 2024 – handles a wide array of international transactions, particularly in the data centre and digital infrastructure sector. Other key figures include Eleanor West, who is especially experienced in healthcare and pharmaceutical work.Other key lawyers:
Work highlights
Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4
Representing state-owned entities, multinational corporations and financial institutions, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP‘s London team is experienced in arbitrations that involve Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Its sector expertise covers healthcare, life sciences, financial services, telecoms, infrastructure, and energy and natural resources. Andrew Savage ‘deserves superstar status’ and Michael Darowski focuses on international commercial and investment arbitrations. Romilly Holland represents telecoms, hospitality, and energy and natural resources clients. Kimberley Smith and Edward Perkins are ‘both future stars’.Practice head(s):
Andrew Savage
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘McDermott Will & Emery has developed into a very strong class act under the leadership of the superb Andrew Savage.’
‘Provides a simply incredible service to clients that is second to none.’
‘The McDermott team performs exceptionally well. They always do the utmost to secure a win for their clients.’
‘Andrew Savage is excellent. He deserves superstar status. He is absolutely dedicated to his clients, a superb tactician, and a fantastic lawyer overall.’
‘Andrew Savage is hugely experienced, creative, tenacious, an intellectual powerhouse, and very well connected.’
‘Alongside his own personal abilities, one of the main achievements of Andrew Savage is that he has built up a team of very impressive senior associates. These include Kimberley Smith and Edward Perkins, who are both future stars.’
‘Michael Darowski’s unique skills are his encyclopedic case knowledge, forensic attention to detail, and strategic thinking to connect moving parts of multiple complex cases running in parallel.’
‘Michael Darowski is trustworthy and always displays the highest values and professional ethics in everything that he does. He is well respected by his peers and considered a very safe pair of hands in the world of dispute resolution and international arbitration in particular.’
Key clients
Petrochemical Holdings
Crescent Petroleum
AIC
Amnesty International
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Albania
Work highlights
- Acting for Crescent Petroleum in commercial arbitration against National Iranian Oil Company in relation to a 25-year gas supply agreement.
- Successfully represented AIC, a Nigerian construction company, in the enforcement of a $160m arbitration award secured against the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria .
- Representing Taylor Thomson in claims before an arbitral tribunal against Persistence Technologies (and associated individuals), which concern bribery and the mis-selling of Persistence’s crypto token, XPRT.
Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 4
‘Abreast of all the key mid-market and large-cap leveraged and corporate loan debt products’, including the requirements of the US market when financing European deals, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is a popular choice for funds as lenders and borrowers on domestic and cross-border deals utilising debt throughout the capital stack. ‘Outstandingly intelligent’ team head Aymen Mahmoud is ‘focused on efficient deal execution’ and is appreciated for his ‘pragmatic and solutions-driven’ service. Mark Fine is also a key member of the team and alongside Italian-qualified counsel Giulia Venanzoni provides ‘great strategic insights’ on leveraged finance deals. Christopher Kandel
joined the team from Morrison Foerster in June 2024, as did John Burge. Practice head(s):
Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The excellent team is collaborative, pragmatic and solutions driven.’
‘It distinguishes itself in being abreast of all the key mid-market and large-cap leveraged and corporate loan debt products.’
‘The team is very active and is one of the challenger finance teams making a real mark in the London market with its can-do attitude and delivery. In terms of raw intelligence, this team probably is the best in the market and it distinguishes itself by remaining entirely commercial.’
‘They have good market knowledge.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud is outstandingly intelligent, very commercial, very experienced and focused on efficient deal execution and not other agendas. Also he is equally adept at borrower or lender side representation.’
‘Aymen Mahmoud is very pragmatic and solutions driven.’
‘Mark Fine is a highly committed individual who provides commercial and pragmatic advice.’
‘Mark Fine and Giulia Venanzoni both have a deep understanding of leveraged finance and great strategic insights and have worked hard to navigate complex financial structures and negotiate favourable terms for us.’
Key clients
Arcmont Asset Management
European Depositary Bank S.A.
Golub Capital LLC
H2 Equity Partners
Kantar XTEL
Insight Partners
Kpler
Kapal Group
OEG Offshore Group Limited
Five Arrows Growth Capital
SilverTree Equity Partners LLP
Treo Asset Management
Work highlights
- Representing Arcmont Asset Management as additional senior lender on its provision of $75m for acquisition purposes, including the day-one acquisition of the NuChem group for $60m.
- Advising H2 Equity Partner in relation to the financing for the acquisition of William Hackett Holdings Ltd provided by Clydesdale Bank plc.
Finance > Derivatives and structured products Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP joins the ranking, having hired derivatives specialist Vlad Maly from Morrison Foerster in late 2023. Maly brings extensive experience in complex capital markets and derivatives transactions in the context of cross-border financings, M&A, and corporate transactions. He has notable expertise in equity-linked instruments, structured repo transactions, forward purchases, public and private convertible debt, and total return swaps.Practice head(s):
Vlad Maly
Work highlights
Finance > High yield Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP has a small high yield practice that calls upon debt capital markets generalists Ranajoy Basu, who heads the team, and Priya Taneja, who 'provides specific thoughtful advice'. The firm occasionally acts for issuers and arrangers, but the majority of its work on high yield products is for corporate trustees and agents. Philip Corser, who is a key adviser on securities regulations and corporate reorganisations, provides vital support to the two main partners.Practice head(s):
Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Good solid team with excellent skills on transactions.’
‘Ranajoy Basu is an outstanding lawyer – all round excellent at the role. Priya Taneja is an excellent lawyer, good attention to details.’
‘The MWE team provides active advice and a work product above what we see from other firms.’
‘Priya Taneja is a standout contributor for the team. She provides specific thoughtful advice and is attentive and timely with her documents. She has hit the ground running as partner.’
‘Incredibly responsive and flexible.’
‘Priya Taneja provides pragmatic and commercial advice on high yield bonds, where timescales are very tight and stress levels can be high.’
Key clients
Madison Pacific Trust Limited
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
Law Debenture
Work highlights
- Advised Madison Pacific Trust Ltd on its duties as security agent and bridge notes trustee during the intricate restructuring and recapitalisation of Frigoglass S.A.I.C.
- Advised GLAS on its multifaceted involvement as note agent, security agent and cash manager in relation to a successful restructuring for the Digicel Group.
- Acting for Citibank as trustee, authenticating agent, paying agent, receipt paying agent, transfer agent and registrar with respect to KEVLAR S.P.A’s offering of its senior secured notes due 2029 for an aggregate principal amount of $790m.
Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP stands out for its specialisation in the online gaming sector, with the team handling DPAs, regulatory investigations, and compliance reviews for leading names across the sector. Practice head and ‘superb tactician’ Simon Airey is a key contact for clients in the betting and gambling industries seeking advice on complex corporate crime and regulatory issues, while James Dobias has significant experience acting on DPAs. Airey and Dobias work alongside William Merry, who ably assists on SFO, HMRC, and FCA investigations.Practice head(s):
Simon Airey
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘This is a brilliant, world-class team. They are imaginative and practical, with wonderful talent at all levels.’
‘Simon Airey is a superb tactician and wonderful to work with. He achieves extraordinary results largely through his imaginative approach to the law. Immensely charismatic.’
‘James Dobias is outstandingly able.’
‘William Merry has superb judgment and is a star of the future.’
‘The team are highly astute and experienced in this practice area. They are always responsive and have an enormous work rate. They are also pragmatic and client solution orientated.’
‘Simon Airey – immensely experienced in this practice area and attentive to the needs of the client. A pleasure to work with.’
‘A widely respected team with particularly strong links to the gambling sector. Genuine expertise in representing corporates.’
‘Simon Airey is charismatic and charming. Reassuring to corporates and a thoughtful strategist. Enormously experienced and quickly able to pinpoint the winning points.’
Key clients
Entain
Dentsu
TREO
Skywind
CDW Limited
Playtech
NTT Group
Work highlights
- Advising Entain plc in relation to a cross-border investigation conducted by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) into potential corporate offending by the Entain plc group.
- Advised CDW in relation to an alleged fraud committed against it by a former employee.
Risk advisory > ESG Tier 4
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP assists clients ranging from start-up companies to significant intergovernmental bodies and NGOs with work including impact financings and transactional, litigation and regulatory matters in the field of ESG. Regulatory partner Raminta Dereskeviciute co-heads the team and is a recognised authority in EU and UK chemical legislation (REACH), metals and mining policies. Ranajoy Basu excels in emerging markets work and frequently leads on social and development impact bonds and green structured finance transactions. Impact finance specialists Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan and Priya Taneja are further names to note.Practice head(s):
Raminta Dereskeviciute; Ranajoy Basu
Other key lawyers:
Priya Taneja; Siddhartha Sivaramakrishna
Key clients
PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet
The International Federation of the Red Cross
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
British Asian Trust (BAT)
Finance for Education
Developing World Markets (“DWM”)
Work highlights
- Represented PETA as an intervener in the landmark case T-656/20 – Symrise AG v European Chemicals Agency before the European General Court, challenging requirements to conduct vertebrate animal testing for substances which are only used in cosmetics.
- Advising Global Alliance for a Sustainable Planet (GASP) and Federated Hermes in structuring an innovative finance mechanism to leverage private sector capital to invest in sustainable agricultural practices.
- Advising The United Nations in launching a landmark Global Fund for Refugees (GIFR). The GIFR is an innovative $ 500 million Shariah-compliant global fund, established to address the developmental and humanitarian needs of millions of forcibly displaced people.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 5
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is active across the banking, pharmaceutical, and telecommunications sectors, with a client base which includes prominent corporates and high net worth individuals. Kevin Cummings leads the team. Cummings has experience in high value corporate reorganisations, including those with multijurisdictional aspects. Robert Marshall leads the internal executive compensation and benefits practice. Sarah Gabbai ‘delivers high quality advice coupled with impeccable client service’.Practice head(s):
Kevin Cummings
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘This practice and the tax team in particular continue to tick all the boxes in terms of quality of advice, responsiveness and client service. There is nothing not to like. They also have a strong commitment to pro bono work, where they deliver the same impeccable service levels.’
‘Sarah Gabbai continues to stand out for the relentless consistency with which she delivers high quality advice coupled with impeccable client service and responsiveness. She’s someone who always goes the extra mile, and quickly!’
‘Sarah Gabbai is of note in this team and would recommend.’
‘Deep business knowledge, broad experience in the areas which are relevant for us.’
‘Kevin Cummings has a very broad experience in the financial service sector and a deep knowledge of how this business works. He is very solutions-oriented and highly committed to move things forward quickly in the best interest of the client.’
Key clients
Puttshack USA Inc
Oka, The Carbon Insurance Company
Disguised Remuneration Settlement Opportunity Proposal
Coöperatieve H2 Equity Partners Fund VI
Naxicap Partners
Eqwal Group
Work highlights
- Involved in a high-profile pro bono project, tasked with finding a proposal for a solution to the problem of historic disguised remuneration schemes and related tax charges under the Loan Charge.
- Advising Oka in its launch of a Lloyd’s syndicate-in-a-box and US service company providing first-of-its-kind insurance protections against carbon credit risks.
- Advising H2 Equity Partners on the acquisition of the William Hackett group from members of the Burgess family.
Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 5
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP provides 'solutions-oriented advice' to a lender-focused client base across a range of new money and refinancing cross-border transactions. While much of this relates to private credit in the leveraged space, under the leadership of Aymen Mahmoud the team has also developed some commercial/investment bank ties. The arrival in June 2024 of Christopher Kandel from Morrison Foerster is a major boost for the team in light of his borrower and lender-side credentials and involvement in many large-cap syndicated finance transactions during his career.Practice head(s):
Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Kandel; Mark Fine; John Burge; Giulia Venanzoni
Testimonials
‘The team has a strong client focus and provides solutions-oriented advice.’
Key clients
Arcmont Asset Management
European Depositary Bank
Golub Capital LLC
Work highlights
Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5
The 'extremely responsive and knowledgeable' team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP provides 'very commercial and pragmatic' advice to stakeholders in complex cross-border restructurings and insolvencies, often working alongside other offices in the firm's network and complementary practice areas. Recognised as 'a brilliant strategist', Mark Fennessy is pivotal to the team's success in the market, with a practice that 'goes far beyond straightforward restructuring cases, to include often very difficult special situation scenarios', as well as taking on a continued flow of work for the firm's core client, a global debt administrator. Fennessy and Aymen Mahmoud co-head a team that also includes King's Counsel Marcia Shekerdemian, who is a senior consultant at the firm.Practice head(s):
Mark Fennessy; Aymen Mahmoud
Other key lawyers:
Sunay Radia; Aymen Mahmoud; Mark Fine; Peter Lu; Marcia Shekerdemian; Victoria Kuhn; Alexander Andronikou
Testimonials
‘They provided very thorough advice with deep commercial understanding and have achieved more than we expected in the negotiations with customers and other stakeholders.’
‘They provide very commercial and pragmatic advice that places clients at the heart of everything they do.’
‘Extremely responsive and knowledgeable team, available 24/7. Very easy to work with and open to discuss new ideas and strategy.’
‘Mark Fennessy is an experienced strategist, whose portfolio routinely includes extremely complex, multi-jurisdictional cases and transactions.’
‘Mark Fennessy is a brilliant strategist and a delight to work with. His practice goes far beyond straightforward restructuring cases, to include often very difficult special situation scenarios.’
‘Peter Lu is very sharp minded and always quickly picked up the tricks the other side of table played and prevented us from the logical and legal traps.’
‘Marcia Shekerdemian KC has invaluable knowledge, experience and sense. The best of the best.’
Key clients
Global Loan Agency Services
TREO Asset Management LLC
TREO NOAL GP Sarl
AVIC Cabin Systems
Waveney Fork Trucks Limited, Lift Truck Rentals Limited and Nexen Lift Trucks Limited
Real estate > Property finance Tier 5
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP is turned to by private equity firms, real estate investment companies, and UHNWIs for its capabilities, both domestic and cross-border. Usman Khan – experienced in both borrower and lender work – is the key name to note. Darren Rogers, noted for his capabilities in real estate capital markets transactions, and Devina Rana, who has experience of advising both lenders and borrowers in real estate finance deals, both joined the firm from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in late 2024.Practice head(s):
Usman Khan
Other key lawyers:
Darren Rogers; Devina Rana
Key clients
TPG Real Estate and Gatehouse Investment Management
Work highlights
Projects, energy and natural resources > Renewables Tier 5
McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP advises on a range of renewable energy project financing transactions globally, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass projects. The team is led by Shah Jahan Khandokar, noted for his expertise in renewable energy projects in emerging markets, including Central, East, and South Asia; MENA; Sub-Saharan Africa; and Latin America. He is routinely assisted by newly promoted partner Elisabeth Moseley, who specialises in complex cross-border and M&A transactions.Practice head(s):
Shah Jahan Khandokar; Elisabeth Moseley
Key clients
Sirius Petroleum Plc
Wentworth Resources Plc
Crescent Petroleum
Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Albania
PT Pertamina EP Cepu
PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) and the Republic of Indonesia
ReNew Energy Global Plc
MG Sugars Lanka (Pvt) Limited
Employment > Employers Tier 7
Paul McGrath heads a compact and nimble team at McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP, which is skilled at handling employment litigation, as well as advising on trade secrets, and other areas such as restrictive covenants. It also advises on large-scale collective consultations, and other issues including industrial relations. Charlotte Moorhouse is another name to note. Katie Clark left the firm in December 2023.Practice head(s):
Paul McGrath
Other key lawyers:
Real estate > Commercial property: investment
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 | |
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| 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
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Simon Airey | Partner Simon Airey focuses his practice on global, cross-border and internal investigations,… | View Profile |
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Nicholas Azis | Nick is a partner in the corporate department, where his practice focuses… | View Profile |
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Ranajoy Basu | Partner Ranajoy Basu focuses his practice on structured finance with key experience… | View Profile |
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Ms Michal Berkner | Michal Berkner is a partner in the London transactions practice and is… | View Profile |
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Ms Andrea Best | Andrea T. Best advises clients on insurance regulatory compliance throughout the United… | View Profile |
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David Birchall | David is counsel, he advises clients on the full range of energy… | View Profile |
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Mr John Burge | John Burge focuses his practice on advising both lenders and borrowers on… | View Profile |
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Matthew Chen | Associate Matthew Chen focuses his practice on UK and international private equity… | View Profile |
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Mr Philip Corser | Philip Corser focuses his practice on global and UK corporate transactions. He… | View Profile |
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Mr Kevin Cummings | Kevin Cummings is the partner-in-charge of the Firm’s UK Tax Practice. Kevin… | View Profile |
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Mr Michael Darowski | Michael Darowski focuses his practice on international commercial and investment disputes resolved… | View Profile |
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Ms Elisa De Carolis | Elisa De Carolis focuses her practice on complex corporate transactional mandates for… | View Profile |
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Ms Raminta Dereskeviciute | Raminta Dereskeviciute focuses her practice on product compliance, trade regulation (sanctions and… | View Profile |
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Mr James Dobias | James Dobias focuses his practice on a wide range of domestic and… | View Profile |
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Mark Fennessy | Partner Mark Fennessy focuses his practice on contentious and non-contentious restructuring and… | View Profile |
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Mark Fine | Partner Mark Fine focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for… | View Profile |
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Sarah Gabbai | Sarah is an associate, she focuses her practice on corporate tax and… | View Profile |
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David Gibson | David is an associate, he focuses his practice on commercial health care,… | View Profile |
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Romilly Holland | Associate Romilly Holland focuses her practice on international commercial and investment arbitration… | View Profile |
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Christopher Kandel | Christopher Kandel focuses his practice on leveraged, special situations and acquisition finance… | View Profile |
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Mr Usman Khan | Usman Khan is a partner in the Firm’s London Finance, Restructuring and… | View Profile |
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Shah Jahan Khandokar | Shah Jahan Khandokar focuses his practice on project development and has extensive… | View Profile |
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Ms Sharon Lamb | Sharon is a partner, she focuses her practice on health care transactions,… | View Profile |
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Adv Peter Lu | Peter Lu is Global Head of the Firm’s China Practice. He advises… | View Profile |
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Aymen Mahmoud | Partner Aymen Mahmoud focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for… | View Profile |
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Vladimir Maly | Vlad Maly has a broad corporate practice, representing clients on general corporate… | View Profile |
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Mr Chris Marshall | Chris Marshall advises clients on a range of corporate matters including acquisitions… | View Profile |
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Mr Rob Marshall | Rob Marshall leads the cross-border executive compensation and benefits practice at McDermott. … | View Profile |
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Paul McGrath | Paul is a partner, he advises clients across a broad range of… | View Profile |
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Mr William Merry | William Merry focuses his practice on a range of domestic and international… | View Profile |
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Ms Charlotte Moorhouse | Charlotte Moorhouse focuses her practice on employment matters. She advises clients across… | View Profile |
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Elisabeth Moseley | Elisabeth is a counsel, she focuses on cross-border mergers and acquisitions in… | View Profile |
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Ms Bella North | Bella North focuses her practice on advising clients in the healthcare and… | View Profile |
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Ms Abigail Nott | Abigial Nott advises clients on various international and onshore private client matters.… | View Profile |
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Fatema Orjela | Fatema is an award-winning private equity partner whose practice focuses on providing… | View Profile |
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Mr Edward Perkins | Edward Perkins focuses his practice on disputes arising from cross-border investments and… | View Profile |
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Ms Ludovica Rabitti | Ludovica Rabitti focuses her practice on regulatory and corporate advisory matters, with… | View Profile |
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Sunay Radia | Partner Sunay Radia focuses his practice on financial restructuring transactions, including high… | View Profile |
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Ms Devina Rana | Devina Rana focuses her practice on the full spectrum of real estate… | View Profile |
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Darren Rogers | Darren Rogers focuses his practice on commercial real estate. His experience spans… | View Profile |
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Andrew Savage | Andrew is a partner, he focuses his practice on commercial and finance… | View Profile |
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Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan | Siddhartha Sivaramakrishnan represents multinational companies and investors on cross-border business transactions, including… | View Profile |
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Kimberley Smith | Associate, Kimberley Smith focuses her practice on commercial litigation and arbitration. She… | View Profile |
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Priya Taneja | Priya is a counsel, her practice includes a broad range of structured… | View Profile |
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Adv Jack Thorne | Jack Thorne focuses his practice on litigation and dispute resolution, advising across… | View Profile |
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Ms Giulia Venanzoni | Giulia Venanzoni focuses her practice on corporate and financial services advising private… | View Profile |
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Ms Heloise Waudby | Heloise Waudby advises clients on various matters of corporate law including mergers… | View Profile |
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Eleanor West | Eleanor advises clients on UK and international private equity investments and buy-out… | View Profile |
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Hamid Yunis | Hamid is a managing partner for our London office and partner-in-charge of… | View Profile |
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Jason Zemmel | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 30 Number of other UK fee-earners : 45- Corporate and commercial > M&A: Lower Mid-Market Deals, £100m-£750m
- Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market
- Finance > Debt capital markets
- Industry focus > Emerging markets
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Private client > Contentious trusts and probate
- Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate
Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £500m)
- Dispute resolution > International arbitration
- Finance > Acquisition finance
- Finance > Derivatives and structured products
- Finance > High yield
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- Risk advisory > ESG