Michael Dakin > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance LLP has a four-partner team in London handling high yield and US securities transactions. Michael Dakin leads ‘a terrific team that is building out a real presence in the London high yield space, rivalling US firms‘. Focused intentionally on more complex and high-value deals, rather than seeking a high volume of transactions, the firm has developed a strong track record in acting for corporate issuers, though it also acts for large financial institutions as bookrunners and initial purchasers. The ‘approachable and experienced‘ Jill Concannon handles bond offerings for European retailers, while newly promoted partner Drew Rundus, who is ‘very proactive and works efficiently‘, advises on financing which includes both high yield notes and revolving credit facilities. Johannes Juette, who relocated to London from Singapore in late 2022, handles high yield as part of a broad DCM and ECM practice.

Clifford Chance LLP has an ‘incredibly deep practice that is very knowledgeable, responsive, and creative‘. Clients report that the firm ‘has been behind some of the most creative and innovative structures in the market‘. A key example of an innovative deal is the issuance of the first bond linked to the generation of voluntary carbon units, on which the firm acted for the arranger. ‘Responsive and dedicated‘ UK regional practice area leader for global financial markets Matthew Fairclough is well versed in debt, hybrid and equity-linked capital markets transactions. Paul Deakins is ‘a pre-eminent force on liability management transactions – always available to help brainstorm and comes up with creative solutions at a moment’s notice‘. Clients praise the ‘exceptional client focus and technical skills‘ of Simon Sinclair , who excels in convertible and exchangeable bonds, regulatory capital issues, and liability management. Kate Vyvyan ‘will stick her neck out to negotiate a favourable outcome‘. The ‘incredibly knowledgeable, nuanced, thoughtful‘ Deborah Zandstra is a leading adviser on sovereign debt transactions. US capital markets partner Johannes Juette and global head of capital markets Michael Dakin also play central roles in the practice.