Ms Mei Lian > Paul Hastings LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

In step with the firm’s overarching growth in the finance sector in recent years, the ‘very diligent and responsive’ team at Paul Hastings LLP is an important resource to a variety of banks, funds and corporates for stressed and distressed restructuring and investment opportunities. Much of the work is multi-jurisdictional, with the team often working alongside its colleagues in Europe and the US to provide a fluid and holistic service to clients, irrespective of geographical boundaries. In this regard, Helena Potts is recognised as ‘a superb specialist in English and cross-border restructurings’, and is noted for her work across formal and informal restructuring processes. The ‘excellent’ Mei Lian reflects the firm’s transactional approach to work in the space and excels at handling complex mandates often involving financial products throughout the capital structure. Lian co-heads the team alongside William Needham, who recently joined the firm from KKR where he was head of European restructuring. Crispin Daly advises on cross-border administrations.

Paul Hastings LLP has a deep bench of securitisation partners who exhibit particular prowess in the CLO market, in which the firm is one of the most prominent players. The practice is led by real estate finance partner Miles Flynn, CLO specialist Cameron Saylor, and market veteran Paul Severs, who has been in the securitisation market since it was first developed in the UK and Europe. He is currently advising a fund on the proposed sale of a mortgage company and its separation from a group holding £8bn in securitised assets, The team is boosted by the broad-ranging experience of Diala Minott, whose CLO expertise sees her act for many of the largest fund managers in Europe, though she has a particular focus on US managers developing European strategies. Victoria Morton is noted for RMBS and loan portfolio acquisitions, while structured credit specialist James Baillie handles CLOs. Restructuring expert Mei Lian has extensive experience in the Greek securitisation market. In mid-2024, the firm hired CLO specialist Brian Maher from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP.