Ropes & Gray LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Ropes & Gray LLP Offices
60 Ludgate Hill
LONDON
EC4M
England
Ropes & Gray LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finance > High yield Tier 2
Ropes & Gray LLP is known for its work on high-value and complex high yield financings for first-time and repeat issuer and underwriter clients. The London office is a key adviser to highly active issuers such as Liberty Global, as well as major investment banks, among them Citigroup, Deutsche Bank and Goldman Sachs. Michael Kazakevich, who is co-head of the firm’s global finance practice and co-chair of the firm’s investment banking industry group, acted for initial purchasers on Intrum AB’s €450m offering of senior fixed rate notes. Up-and-coming partner Aditya Khanna also worked on that deal. Key partner Robert Haak assisted VodafoneZiggo B.V. with a €2.1bn-equivalent cross-border sustainability-linked bond offering. London managing partner Jane Rogers worked with Haak on Liberty Global’s $924m debt buyback transaction.Practice head(s):
Michael Kazakevich
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Citigroup
Deutsche Bank
Goldman Sachs
JP Morgan
Morgan Stanley
NatWest
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB)
Liberty Global plc (UPC Holding)
Liberty Latin America
VodafoneZiggo B.V.
Work highlights
- Advised the initial purchasers, including Citigroup, Goldman Sachs Bank Europe SE, JP Morgan and SEB as joint global coordinators on Intrum AB’s successful €450 million offering of senior fixed rate notes due 2028.
- Advised VZ Secured Financing B.V., a SPV entity in the VodafoneZiggo group, on their launched €2.1 billion-equivalent 10NC5 cross-border sustainability-linked bond offering.
- Advised Liberty Latin America in connection with the largest sustainability-linked bond for the digital infrastructure sector in Costa Rica, involving a US$450 million financing package consisting of a US$50 million A loan and a US$400 million B loan/B-bond structure.
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 3
‘Brilliant technical lawyers with good commercial sense and judgement‘, Ropes & Gray regularly works with a number of high-profile sponsors and portfolio companies on the gamut of corporate deals. The firm has made a number of lateral hires over recent years, most notably Dan Oates, who arrived from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP. Oates joined from Fried Frank alongside Angela Becker and Simon Saitowitz, both of whom are noted for their transactional acumen. John Newton is a highly experienced partner who draws particular praise for his expertise in healthcare and life sciences-driven work. Drawing superlative praise from clients, the ‘outstanding‘ Helen Croke‘s capabilities span both large cap and mid-market deals, while Elizabeth Todd‘s recent engagements include cross-border acquisitions concerning targets in the media and logistics sectors. Shona Ha, who was promoted to partner in November 2022, is lauded for her ‘incredibly impressive, knowledgeable and commercial’ practice. Former London managing partner Will Rosen left the firm to join Bain Capital as its European general counsel in November 2022.Other key lawyers:
Helen Croke; John Newton; Angela Becker; Dan Oates; Simon Saitowitz; Elizabeth Todd; Shona Ha
Testimonials
‘Helen Croke is the most outstanding lawyer I have worked with in my career. She is outstanding in all regards – extremely intellectual, sharp and thinks on her feet, solutions-oriented, great bedside manner, and represents our firm and brand well in negotiations. Her intellect is unmatched – she will be my first call for any complex issues. I have seen buyers of our assets use Helen after our transactions because they have been so impressed by her on the sell-side. She also consistently promotes diversity among her teams, particularly women and minorities, and her efforts should be commended. Helen does not promote herself enough – it is just not in her nature – I hope she finally gets the recognition she deserves because she is truly world-class.’
‘We have worked with Elizabeth Todd and John Newton on transactions for Mitsubishi Financial, Bain and Baring EQT funds. They are super bright and methodical. They also manage to stay calm and focused when the going gets tough.’
‘Shona Ha is incredibly impressive, knowledgeable and commercial.’
‘They are a top-tier private equity practice and they really know their stuff. They have a slick operation and provide a fantastic service to their clients. They provide an impressive blend of intellect and commerciality, always focusing on the client’s outcomes. From a service level, nothing is too much trouble. They are an all round pleasure to work with.’
‘Helen Croke is one of the leaders in her field and is an exceptional private equity lawyer. She is sharp and gets straight to the point, and is very well regarded by the market. John Newton is another very seasoned private equity lawyer, who really knows his stuff. Victoria McGrath, Elizabeth Todd and Shona Ha are all incredibly impressive partners, who form part of the next generation. They all bring to the table a focus on delivery, first-rate legal analysis and commercial pragmatism.’
‘John Newton is very well-connected in the private equity life sciences space. His relationships can be really helpful giving us an advantage against other bidders.’
‘Brilliant technical lawyers with good commercial sense and judgement.’
Key clients
3i Group plc
Advent International
AEA Investors Y
American Industrial Partners (AIP)
Aquiline Capital Partners
Arsenal Capital Management
Astorg
Athyrium
Audax Group
Avista Capital Partners
Baillie Gifford
Bain Capital
BPEA EQT (formerly known as Baring Private Equity Asia)
Bridgepoint
British International Investment (formerly known as CDC)
BV Investment Partners
Cambridge Information Group (CIG)
Cathexis
Charlesbank Capital Partners
Covalis Capital
Cove Hill
CVC Capital
FinDev Canada
Francisco Partners
Generation Investment Management
GHO Capital
Goldman Sachs Asset Management
H.I.G Capital
IK Partners
Inflexion
Intermediate Capital Group
Lee Equity Partners
Livingbridge
Nature Infrastructure Capital
New Mountain Capital
Nordic Capital
Northpond Ventures
Oakley Capital
PAI Partners
Partners Group
PIMCO
Sands Capital
Sixth Street
Summit Partners
TPG Capital
TSG Consumer Partners
Welsh Carson Anderson & Stowe
Work highlights
- Advised Astorg on the £1.61 billion acquisition of the financial publisher of Euromoney by Astorg and Epiri.
- Advising funds affiliated with BPEA EQT on its acquisition of IGT Solutions from AION Investments, an investment vehicle of Apollo Global Management.
- Advised TPG Growth on its investment in Musixmatch. TPG is making its investment through TPG Growth, the firm’s middle market and growth equity platform.
Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 3
Ropes & Gray handles a wide range of mandates spanning GP and LP led matters, fund formation and transactions within the secondaries market. The team is led by the highly experienced Tom Alabaster, whose primary focus is on the EMEA markets. Alabaster is supported by Emily Brown, who has expansive expertise in cross-jurisdictional matters, specialising in venture capital and co-investments. Lavanya Raghavan, Chris Townsend and Alex Chauvin are also integral to the team.Practice head(s):
Tom Alabaster
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Golding Capital Partners
Incus Capital
Work highlights
- Advised Incus Capital in respect of the structuring and formation of its fourth flagship European credit opportunities fund reaching its hard cap of €650m in November 2022.
- Advising Golding Capital Partners in respect of its €578m infrastructure co-investment fund 2020, €200m private debt fund 2020 and €300m (target) impact fund to help golding to expand its investor-base outside of Germany with the structuring and formation of parallel fund vehicles to accommodate international investors from the rest of Europe, the US and Asia.
Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 3
Praised as the ‘best in class when it comes to complex real estate private equity’, Ropes & Gray LLP continues to showcase its capability in handling big-ticket real estate transactions. The team also has thorough expertise across distressed, data centre, logistics, life science and student accommodation real estate. Co-lead of the team Will Bryant is a key port of call for pension funds, sponsors, and sovereign wealth funds on domestic and international investment, while co-head David Seymour advises investors on UK and European PERE deals. Other key contacts in the group include Harriet Banner and Joseph Patchitt.Practice head(s):
David Seymour; Will Bryant
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team strikes a great balance of breadth and depth with a youthful, entrepreneurial energy. They are highly capable and responsive.’
‘The Ropes & Gray UK team are best in class when it comes to complex real estate private equity matters. They have an advanced understanding of real estate transactions, but also of the equity and investment structuring behind those transactions.’
‘Competent, driven, knowledgeable and flexible.’
‘In a fast-paced industry, the R&G team stands out for their responsiveness, creativity and expertise. David Seymour and Will Bryant are quick to respond with thoughtful answers to complex problems.’
‘We had a great experience with Harriet Banner and Joey Patchitt.’
‘David Seymour and the team are fantastic. They have a very calm methodical approach and are very easy to deal with.’
‘David Seymour always goes the extra mile and a pleasure to work with.’
Key clients
APG
Arax Properties
Arrow Capital
Bain Capital Real Estate
BioMed Realty
Brookfield
Cathexis/Yondr
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB)
GIC
King Street
Millemont Capital Partners
Partners Group
QuadReal
Sixth Street
Work highlights
- Advised CPPIB on the acquisition of a 33.3% stake in Bullring Shopping Centre, Birmingham, from Nuveen Real Estate.
- Advised Partners Group on its programmatic joint venture with Host Student Housing to build up a £1 billion UK purpose-built student accommodation and co-living platform.
- Advised Singapore’s sovereign wealth fund, GIC, on its interest in The Oxford Science Park (TOSP).
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP‘s London tax team advises on the firm’s global level transactions, particularly in the key areas of private equity, fund formation, real estate and banking & finance. Team lead Brenda Coleman, who heads the European tax practice, is highly experienced in international tax planning. Andrew Howard specialises in financing transactions, and is a regular contributor to tax publications. Chris Agnoli has experience in cross-border M&A, employment tax issues, and real estate matters. Senior associate Benjamin Wonnacott joined from Goldman Sachs in 2021.Practice head(s):
Brenda Coleman
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Howard; Chris Agnoli; Banjamin Wonnacott
Testimonials
‘The team are excellent transaction executioners. They want to understand what is important to the client, they reassure that your position will be protected, they do not create additional unnecessary issues and I have full confidence that they will go in to defend my position in a sensible and commercial way.’
‘Andrew Howard – a pragmatic leader who seeks out simplicity and efficiency. A valuable member of the team in all the work to date we have conducted.’
‘Chris Agnoli – has managed situations effectively to ensure escalation is only ever required when truly necessary.’
‘Super high quality team, technically very good, readily available and a joy to work with! Provide well integrated advice with their US tax colleagues.’
‘Brenda Coleman stands out. Loads of experience, quick and practical.’
Key clients
3i Group plc
AEA Investors
American Industrial Partners (AIP)
APG
Astorg
Athyrium
Audax Group
BPEA EQT
Cambridge Information Group (CIG)
Incus Capital
Intermediate Capital Group
New Mountain Capital
Partners Group
TPG
TSG Consumer Partners
Work highlights
- Advised Astorg on the tax aspects of its acquisition of the Fastmarkets business division of Euromoney Institutional Investor, as part of a £1.61 billion acquisition of the financial publisher of Euromoney.
- Advised funds affiliated with Baring Private Equity Asia on the tax aspects of its acquisition of Tricor Group. The transaction values Tricor at an enterprise value of $2.76 billion.
- Advised Partners Group on the tax aspects of an innovative secondary transaction whereby Partners Group will become a strategic investor in Blue Phoenix Group, via an investment in Daiwa International Capital Partners’ first fund Daiwa ICP European Infrastructure 1.
Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 4
Focused primarily on borrower-side work - particularly in light of ex-Goldman Sachs’ in-house counsel Carol Van der Vorst‘s move to Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP in September 2022 - Ropes & Gray LLP has deep knowledge in financings centred around both the syndicated public markets and highly structured private markets. As well as handling some work for sponsors, the team continues to regularly advise marquee clients, Altice and Liberty Global, on debt finance raising, including a considerable amount of acquisition finance due to their private equity-like instincts. The 'brilliant' Alex Robb is well-versed across a broad swathe of debt products, from unitranche to European TLB large-cap loans, and is a key member of the team that is headed by UK and New York law-qualified partner Michael Kazakevich.Practice head(s):
Michael Kazakevich
Other key lawyers:
Alexander Robb; Alexandru Mocanu; Ana Biloglav; Jacob Bennet;Sean Darling; Luwam Mezue
Testimonials
‘The integrated practice across the US and UK is excellent.’
‘Alex Robb is a brilliant lawyer. He is fantastic technically, hard working and a clear thinker who delivers transactions under tight timelines with a commercial focus and good humour.’
‘Ropes & Gray has a market leading leveraged finance practice . The integrated practice across the US and UK is excellent.’
‘Good lender side practice; commercial mindset and good market knowledge’
‘Alex Robb is a safe pair of hands.‘
Key clients
3i
Altice International S.à r.l.
Altice USA
Arsenal Capital Partners
ASB Bank Limited
AtlasEdge
Avista Capital Partners
Bain Capital Credit
Barclays plc
Baring PE Asia
BNP Paribas
Bridgepoint
Bridgepoint Capital Limited
CSC Holdings LLC
Deutsche Bank
GHO Capital Partners
Goldman Sachs
J.P. Morgan
Liberty Global plc
Livingbridge LLP
New Altice Europe B.V. (formerly Altice Europe N.V.)
Permira Credit
Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken (SEB)
TSG Consumer Partners
UPC Holding
Virgin Media O2
XpFibre / XpFibre Network
Work highlights
- Advised New Altice Europe on a $912m (combined equivalent) financing in connection with acquisitions by XpFibre Holding, a joint venture of Altice France and a consortium of infrastructure investors including OMERS, Allianz and AXA.
- Advised Velocity Clinical Research, Inc. (a portfolio company of GHO Capital) on the financing (which included $500m of syndicated English law unitranche loan facilities) to facilitate its acquisition of US target Meridian Clinical Research.
- Advised Baring PE Asia in connection with the debt financing commitments for the $2.7bn acquisition of Tricor Group – a provider of integrated business, corporate and investor services – from Permira.
Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4
Finance > Derivatives and structured products Tier 4
Ropes & Gray is a popular choice among asset managers, alternative credit providers, hedge fund managers and private equity firms, for which it handles high-value and innovative derivatives matters. Clients of lead partner Anna Lawry remark that 'her knowledge, ability to issue spot issues, and ability to add value are second to none'. Lawry focuses exclusively on derivatives, in particular the regulatory regime governing the market, and has a strong track record in advising on transactions across all major asset classes, both OTC and exchange-traded. She also assist clients with ISDA, collateral, brokerage, clearing and custody issues. The London team also works closely with colleagues in the US to advise on cross-border matters.Practice head(s):
Anna Lawry
Testimonials
‘We work mainly with Anna Lawry, and her knowledge, ability to issue-spot, and ability to add value is second to none.’
Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 4
The ‘exceptional‘ practice at Ropes & Gray LLP assists clients with a broad range of issues, including risk and crisis management, research and development strategies, and product life cycle management. The team acts for a number of notable clients, including Merck KGaA, Orphalan, and Allergan. With ‘unparalleled standing and credibility‘, practice head Lincoln Tsang handles a myriad of issues, from internal investigations and public policy matters, to product approvals and clinical trials. Tsang also has a great deal of experience in interactions with the European Medicines Agency.Practice head(s):
Lincoln Tsang
Testimonials
‘Excellent expertise in regulatory law. I think the pharma practice is exceptional.’
‘Lincoln Tsang enjoys unparalleled standing and credibility in the life sciences sector based on his extensive experience both as a regulator and long-standing outside counsel to numerous bio-pharmaceutical and med tech companies.’
‘Lincoln Tsang is particularly experienced in market access and approval of medicines for rare diseases.’
Key clients
Bain Capital
NeoGenomics
Avista Capital Partners
Blackstone Group
Novavax
Pfizer
PTC Therapeutics
Takeda Pharmaceuticals International
Merck KGaA
Sarepta Therapeutics, Inc.
Chroma Medicine, Inc.
ConforMIS, Inc.
bluebird
Orphalan (previously Gmp-Orphan)
Horizon Therapeutics
BioMarin
Intrabio
Novavax
Pfizer
PTC Therapeutics
Nasus Pharma
Mirum Pharmaceuticals
Akebia Therapeutics, Inc.
Spruce Biosciences
Gyroscope Biotherapeutics
Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals
Kyowa Kirin Co.
Amicus Therapeutics
Allergan
Actimed Therapeutics
Work highlights
- Advised GIC on its acquisition of a 40% interest in The Oxford Science Park from Magdalen College, and on the strategic joint venture between GIC and Magdalen College.
- Advised Envision Pharma Group on its acquisition of OKRA.ai.
- Advised Northpond Ventures on its further investment in the Series B shares of Refeyn.
Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds Tier 4
Ropes & Gray LLP provides a full-service offering in the real estate funds space and acts for high-profile clients on fund formations, transactions, raisings, restructurings, joint ventures and secondaries. Tom Alabaster, who heads the EMEA funds practice, handles the structuring, marketing and operation of private funds, many of which are cross-border in nature. Strong support is provided by Emily Brown, who acts for private equity, real asset and venture capital sponsors on fundraisings and investments.Practice head(s):
Tom Alabaster
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
CBRE
Nuveen
Round Hill Capital
NTR
Work highlights
Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 4
Ropes & Gray is regularly instructed by clients in the private equity and financial services sectors, as well as from the healthcare and life sciences industries, to advise on all aspects of compliance and enforcement-related data privacy and protection matters. The team is led by ‘superb‘ data protection and cybersecurity expert Rohan Massey, who specialises in international data transfer issues and global compliance matters. Working in close conjunction with its US offices, the team has particular strength in transatlantic data privacy mandates. At the senior associate level, the ‘knowledgeable, responsive, practical‘ Edward Machin is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Rohan Massey
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Strong understanding of the law and an ability to deliver advices in an easily digestible form.’
‘Rohan Massey – Rohan is knowledgeable, and provides useful and practical advice, in an easy going manner.’
‘Rohan has great strength in depth within his team including at the most junior associate level. Rohan offers a flexile and sensible, commercial approach to challenging issues.’
‘Rohan is a great leader, is easy to deal with, hands on and a genuinely nice guy while being a superb lawyer.’
‘I have worked with only one person in the office, Edward Machin and he is excellent. Knowledgeable, responsive, practical.’
Key clients
The Carlyle Group, L.P.
Baring Private Equity Asia
Bain Capital
Providence Equity Partners
HUTCHMED
Advent/Nielsen
Work highlights
- Advising Carlyle Investment Management LLC on a complex technology restructuring to integrate certain businesses onto global platforms.
- Providing ongoing privacy, data protection and information security advice to HUTCHMED, on a wide range of challenging legal and regulatory issues in three of the world’s most highly regulated jurisdictions for the development and commercialisation of medicinal products (the European Union, the United Kingdom and the People’s Republic of China).
- Represented NielsenIQ, a portfolio company of Advent International, in connection with its entry into a definitive agreement to combine with GfK SE.
Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 4
Displaying a ‘broad breadth of experience’, the Ropes & Gray LLP anti-corruption and international risk practice is comprised of lawyers with deep expertise in money laundering, fraud, and sanctions violations. The firm’s strength and depth in the UK, US, and Asia, means the group is well equipped to deal with multi-jurisdictional investigations brought by domestic and international enforcement agencies. Amanda Raad leads the London-based offering, specialising in internal and regulatory proceedings concerning FCPA risk and global corruption risk, while US-trained lawyer Sean Seelinger focuses on government inquiries and whistleblower allegations. Paige Berges concentrates on AML matters and economic sanctions issues.Practice head(s):
Amanda Raad; Maria Gonzalez Calvet; Ryan Rohlfsen
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is well placed to give a wide range of advice. Lots of private equity portfolio company work means a very broad breadth of experience at not only the law, but how to make a compliance programme actually work in practice.’
‘Amanda Raad – super smart, capable of being practical beyond the legal position.’
‘Ropes & Gray is currently discussing how to regulate and incorporate artificial intelligence on a more direct base in light of recent innovative open language models (such as Chat GPT).’
‘We have worked closely with Ryan Rohlfsen, Amanda Raad, and Sean Seelinger on several internal investigations and additional compliance-related matters. All three of the aforementioned demonstrate consistently a results-oriented mentality, and mental agility to provide efficient and diligent solutions to clients undergoing an internal investigation. Sean Seelinger has worked extremely close with our firm and has demonstrated extensive technical knowledge of FCPA Regulations, providing accurate and practical advice to clients.’
Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 5
The ‘top-notch’ team at Ropes & Gray LLP attracts considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its wide-ranging capabilities across various competition matters, ranging from merger control and FDI clearances to conduct, compliance and antitrust counselling. The team is routinely engaged by blue-chip corporates, pharmaceutical companies and private equity clients on complex multi-jurisdictional merger control matters. Practice head Ruchit Patel is a key port of call for some of the word’s largest companies on matters before the CMA and European Commission.Practice head(s):
Ruchit Patel
Other key lawyers:
Lisa Kaltenbrunner; Dervla Broderick; James Parkinson; Rupert Phillips; Anna Pugh; Vincenzo Volpe
Testimonials
‘The EU competition team at Ropes is top notch. They are lean and nimble and always able to provide the services we need, and often very quickly. They have taken the time to educate our in-house team on the subject and provide close guidance on the process.’
‘Ruchit Patel stands out for his quick thinking on day-to-day matters, combined with an enviable ability to provide bigger picture strategic advice. Lisa Kalttenbrunner is very capable and polished.’
‘Lisa Kaltenbrunner is an expert at anti-trust analysis across more jurisdictions than I can count. She is an incredible source for market practice, the nuances of the regulations and the risk-based decisions to be made.’
Key clients
Adaptimmune
Altice USA, Inc.
America’s Test Kitchen
Apollo Therapeutics Limited
Bloomberg, Inc.
Datavan
Envision Pharma Group
Focusrite PLC
Fortis Life Sciences
Galderma Laboratories LP
Ginkgo Bioworks
Google LLC
HUTCHMED
ImmunoGen, Inc.
Jounce Therapeutics
Kioxia Corporation
Liberty Global
McAfee Corp.
Medtronic plc
Mitsubishi UFJ Trust and Banking Corporation
Monster Energy Company
Novartis
Pfizer Inc.
Provention Bio
Sanofi S.A.
Sarepta Therapeutics
Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.
System C
Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited
The Wittur Group
Zai Lab Limited
Zoetis Inc.
3i Group plc
Advent International Corporation
AEA Investors LP
Altamont Capital Partners
American Industrial Partners
Angelo Gordon & Co., L.P.
Audax Group
Avista Capital Partners L.P.
Bain Capital, LP
Bain Capital Credit
Baring Private Equity Asia
BDT Capital Partners, LLC
Berkshire Partners LLC
Bridgepoint Advisers II Limited
Cinven
Genstar Capital LLC
GHO Capital Partners LLP
GI Partners
H.I.G Capital, LLC
Invesco Ltd.
Kohlberg & Company LLC
Sightway Capital
Silver Lake Partners LP
Sixth Street Partners LLC
TPG Inc.
TSG Consumer Partners LLC
Two Sigma Investments, LP
Xerox
Work highlights
- Advised on all antitrust issues on two major transactions for Pfizer, including its $5.4bn acquisition of Global Blood Therapeutics and its $11.6bn acquisition of Biohaven Pharmaceuticals.
- Advised Medtronic Inc., a leader on the global medical technology market, on the antitrust aspects of its $1.1bn acquisition of Intersect ENT, a well-known publicly traded healthcare equipment company, and its acquisition of Affera, a developer of medical devices designed to treat cardiac arrhythmias.
- Advised TPG on the merger control and foreign direct investment aspects of several transactions, including the sale of Immucor, inc. to Werfen for approximately $2bn and its $4bn joint acquisition of Covetrus.
Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 5
Real estate > Property finance Tier 5
At Ropes & Gray, David Seymour heads the collective real estate department where he specialises in UK and European private equity real estate deals across the risk spectrum for real estate funds, sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices. Seymour also advises on structuring and executing both distressed and non-distressed transactions, investments and development financings. Associate Andrew Baker is an individual to note for debt finance.Practice head(s):
David Seymour
Other key lawyers:
Andrew Baker
Key clients
Blackstone Mortgage Trust
Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies Fund
Partners Group
Cathexis Investment Management
Sixth Street
King Street Capital Management
Millemont Capital Partners
Altice Europe NV
Bio Med Realty L.P.
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone Mortgage Trust and Blackstone Real Estate Debt Strategies Fund in connection with financing of the AUD 8.9 billion (US$6.4 billion) acquisition of Crown Resorts.
- Advised Partners Group on the financing aspects of the joint venture with Host Student Housing to build up a £1 billion UK purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) and co-living platform and on the joint venture’s first acquisition of a four-asset seed portfolio.
- Worked with other Ropes & Gray offices globally, to advise a leading global asset management firm in respect of a series of multi-billion-dollar loan repurchase and securitisation structures across multiple jurisdictions.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6
The ‘solutions oriented’ team at Ropes & Gray LLP advises asset managers spanning the US, UK and Asia on regulatory matters, including ESG and securitization regulation, as well as fund formation issues and transactional mandates. Eve Ellis, who focuses on ESG-related matters confronting asset managers, jointly leads the practice alongside Anna Lawry, who has experience in derivatives and structured finance regulation.Practice head(s):
Eve Ellis; Anna Lawry
Other key lawyers:
Dorota Maj
Testimonials
‘Practical solutions are what sets the Ropes team apart.’
‘I appreciate Eve Ellis’s proactive approach. She reaches out when she thinks a change would be relevant to our business.’
‘Solution oriented, practical advice and good cross-border collaborations with leading local law firms.’
‘Eve Ellis and her team do an excellent job in navigating regulatory complexities and coming up with real-world solutions.’
United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 2
Combining expertise in regulatory investigations, disputes, privacy counselling and corporate data transactions, the data, privacy and cybersecurity team at Ropes & Gray LLP offers US experience with global reach. Clients in the healthcare sector particularly seek out the team, which has established knowledge regarding the handling of data breaches involving sensitive information. Team head Edward McNicholas, based in Washington DC, has a notable track record supporting clients through regulatory investigations and class action litigation in relation to cybersecurity incidents. Also in DC, Fran Faircloth’s practice includes internet governance matters, and compliance counselling on federal, state, and foreign privacy requirements. Boston-based counsel Kevin Angle advises clients on the data privacy implications of complex corporate transactions. Associates Matthew Cin in Chicago, and Briana Fasone in New York, are also recommended.Practice head(s):
Edward McNicholas
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Advent International LP
Advocate Aurora Health Inc
Alchemee
America’s Test Kitchen
Associated Materials / Strategic Value Partners LLC
TaxAct / Cinven Limited
EMCOR Group
Kevin Thompson, former CEO of SolarWinds
LifeStance Health Inc
LightEdge
Securly (Bate v. Securly)
Work highlights
- Represented the former CEO of SolarWinds in SEC proceedings as well as Texas securities and Texas and Delaware derivative actions, stemming from one of the largest data breaches in history.
- Represented Advocate Aurora Healthcare, a non-profit health care system with 26 hospitals, 500 sites of care, and ~75,000 employees, in a complex case involving the use of Meta Pixels on its website.
- Representing TaxAct, in congressional, FTC, state attorney general investigation, and litigation matter arising out of its use of Meta Pixels and other tracking technology on its tax preparation website.
United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions
Operating out of New York, the practice at Ropes & Gray LLP is led by Andrew Thomases, Rohan Massey, and Sarah Young. The team offers an interdisciplinary service by liaising with its M&A, IP, and private equity divisions to comprehensively serve a roster of tech companies as well as domestic and global investors. The team has a particularly strong track record in handling the tech and fintech elements of M&A transactions. Jordan Altman is a practitioner to note and concentrates on business-critical deals that involve big data, telecoms, software, and AI.Practice head(s):
Andrew Thomases; Rohan Massey; Sarah Young
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
TPG Capital
Morgan Stanley Tactical Value
New Mountain Capital
America’s Test Kitchen Limited Partnership
Cinven Limited
GreenSlate
Caris Life Sciences
ZenKey
Silver Lake
GI Partners
Frontier Communications
Aretex Capital Management
National Amusements, Inc.
iMedia Brands, Inc.
Work highlights
- Advised TPG Capital on the sale of its majority stake in Creative Artists Agency.
- Represented America’s Test Kitchen in its sale to Marquee Brands.
- Advised Morgan Stanley Tactical Value on a joint venture between the client and Kobalt Music Group to invest more than $700m to acquire music copyrights.
Ropes & Gray LLP > Firm Profile
Ropes & Gray is a preeminent global law firm with approximately 1,400 lawyers and legal professionals serving clients in major centers of business, finance, technology and government.
It is London’s leading international law firm for private capital clients. It also advises some of the world’s largest companies on their most challenging issues. The firm acts for sophisticated private capital investors and providers giving them all the legal services they need: from fundraising to transactional deal-making and financing, and from antitrust to compliance, data protection, restructuring, real estate, financial regulation and tax. It acts for leading European, US and Asian clients on deals across the EMEA market and globally.
Private equity: Ropes &Gray is at the forefront of the European private equity market, advising a broad roster of leading sponsors and their portfolio companies who retain the firm for its deep understanding of their legal needs and the ability to synergise with market conditions. It routinely advises leading large and middle-market and clients in multiple industries on every aspect of their largest and most complex global transactions.
Finance and high-yield: The firm is one of a select group of firms with on-the-ground London capability to execute high-yield bond offerings and term loan facilities under both English and New York law. This provides clients with cross-border and cross-product expertise with the flexibility and responsiveness of being in the same time zone. Coupled with its international capabilities, the firm is able to advise on all forms of leveraged finance transactions across the capital structure and jurisdictions, providing seamless
coverage across products and time zones.
Business restructuring / Capital solutions & special situations: The firm helps clients find solutions in event-driven, stressed and distressed situations, and complex and dislocation opportunities. These solutions include bespoke capital solutions and structures, distressed M&A, restructuring advice, leveraged and direct lending, convertible debt, hybrid debt/equity instruments, and equity upside structures.
Private equity real estate: The firm is an investor-led platform advising on significant UK and European real estate investment transactions. Working across the risk spectrum, it advises its investor clients on structuring and executing joint ventures, direct and indirect sales and purchases, minority and majority equity investments and co-investments, real estate M&A, distressed transactions and restructurings, sales and leasebacks, development projects and all related financings. It has a deep understanding of real estate as an asset class, encompassing transactions from traditional asset deals to complex corporate and finance arrangements, and tax efficient structures.
Life Sciences: The firm’s European team is an integral part of Ropes & Gray’s preeminent global life sciences practice, and provides seamless regulatory compliance and commercial strategic advice to pharmaceutical and medical device companies. It offers clients, including private equity houses and
their portfolio companies, advice on UK, EU and cross-border regulatory issues in this space. The team is uniquely part of a global one-stop-shop offering compliance and enforcement, including litigation, internal investigations and public policy matters.
Funds: The firm advises a global client base of asset management firms, including fund sponsors, investors and investment advisers, on all aspects of their business. Its experience across the spectrum of private and registered fund structures and vehicles, investment strategies, asset types and industries allows it to identify commercial, regulatory and economic issues, understand emerging trends and craft innovative solutions that are unique to the concerns of clients throughout the industry and around the world.
Financial crime, global investigations and risk: The firm advises clients who are facing the myriad challenges of regulatory investigations and enforcement, and have been involved in some of the most high-profile and complex cross-border regulatory investigations of recent years. It focuses on both proactive resolutions and reactive investigations with authorities including the SFO, FCA and PRA, as well as overseas authorities, including the US DOJ and SEC. It also provides a comprehensive suite of risk assessment and advisory services which enables clients in the financial sector to identify, monitor, and mitigate or eliminate regulatory risk.
Competition/antitrust: The firm advises sophisticated clients on a wide range of issues, including merger control matters, complex multi-jurisdictional cartel or abuse of dominance investigations and follow-on damages actions.
Privacy, data protection and cybersecurity: The firm helps clients manage the full array of issues that arise from the collection, use, storage, commoditisation, disclosure, transfer and disposal of data, including
privacy and cybersecurity compliance and counseling, corporate and transactional support, and regulatory investigations and litigation.
Tax: The firm advises multinational business enterprises, financial institutions and investors on the international and domestic tax aspects of private investment funds, private equity transactions, M&A, financings, business restructurings and JVs. It also advises on cross-border investment structures, the international tax aspects of financial products, ongoing tax planning for multinational business entities and individuals, transfer pricing and cross-border tax controversies.
Contacts
Private equity: Will Rosen
Finance and high yield: Michael Kazakevich
Business restructuring: Matthew Czyzyk
Capital Solutions & Special situations: Samuel Norris,
Private equity real estate: David Seymour
Life sciences: Lincoln Tsang
Funds: Tom Alabaster
Financial regulation: Eve Ellis
Financial crime, global investigations and risk: Amanda Raad
Competition/antitrust: Ruchit Patel
Privacy, data protection and cybersecurity: Rohan Massey
Tax: Brenda Coleman
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing Partner | Will Rosen | will.rosen@ropesgray.com | |
Private Equity | Will Rosen | will.rosen@ropesgray.com | |
Finance and High-Yield | Michael Kazakevich | michael.kazakevich@ropesgray.com | |
Business Restructuring | Matthew Czyzyk | matthew.czyzyk@ropesgray.com | |
Capital Solutions & Special Situations | Samuel Norris | samuel.norris@ropesgray.com | |
Private Equity Real Estate | David Seymour | david.seymour@ropesgray.com | |
Life sciences | Lincoln Tsang | lincoln.tsang@ropesgray.com | |
Funds | Tom Alabaster | tom.alabaster@ropesgray.com | |
Financial Regulation | Eve Ellis | eve.ellis@ropesgray.com | |
Financial Crime, Global Investigations & Risk | Amanda Raad | amanda.raad@ropesgray.com | |
Competition/antitrust | Ruchit Patel | ruchit.patel@ropesgray.com | |
Privacy, Data Protection and Cybersecurity | Rohan Massey | rohan.massey@ropesgray.com | |
Tax | Brenda Coleman | brenda.coleman@ropesgray.com |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Malcolm Hitching | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Michael Kazakevich | Partner in Ropes & Gray’s finance group in London and co-head of… | View Profile | |
Ms Rosemarie Paul | Rosemarie Paul specializes in UK financial regulatory matters, with a particular focus… | View Profile | |
Mr Alex Robb | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Will Rosen | Co-managing partner of the firm’s London office and a partner in the… | View Profile | |
Mr Phil Sanderson | Partner and Co-chair of the global private equity transactions group | View Profile | |
Ms Judith Seddon | Judith Seddon specialises in all areas of national and international white-collar crime,… | View Profile | |
Ms Kiran Sharma | Co-head of the firm’s International Practice Group and a partner in the… | View Profile |
Solicitor Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Chris Agnoli | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Tom Alabaster | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Brenda Coleman | Partner and head of Tax in London | View Profile | |
Ms Helen Croke | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Eve Ellis | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Robert Haak | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Andrew Howard | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Aditya Khanna | Partner | View Profile | |
Mrs Anna Lawry | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr Rohan Massey | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Amanda Raad | Partner | View Profile | |
Ms Jane Rogers | Partner | View Profile | |
Mr David Seymour | David is a partner in the private equity real estate practice and… | View Profile | |
Mrs Elizabeth Todd | Partner | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 30 Number of other UK fee-earners : 145- Finance > High yield
Firm Rankings
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+)
- Investment fund formation and management > Private funds
- Real estate > Commercial property: investment
- Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax
- Finance > Acquisition finance
- Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
- Finance > Derivatives and structured products
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds
- Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- Corporate and commercial > EU and competition
- Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals)
- Real estate > Property finance