Mr Philip Butler > Dechert LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very experienced’ team at Dechert LLP provides ‘commercial’ advice to a fund-focused client base acting both as lenders and borrowers. Consequently, in spite of relatively challenging M&A conditions in 2023, the firm has been relatively well hedged, able as it has been to handle a considerable amount of portfolio work, including in the context of consensual reorganisations. Philip Butler ‘has real presence in the market’, particularly among credit funds providing the financing to sponsors to facilitate M&A in the mid-market. David Miles is also well regarded for his utilisation of alternative debt products including his work at the forefront of the unitranche product. Drawing upon his ‘very technical’ knowledge, Bishoy Eskander is also well-liked by credit funds, who appreciate his ‘deep market insight and how to avoid terms creep to protect the lender’s position’.

A ‘highly capable and commercial team’, Dechert LLP advises clients across the full investment life cycle, from fund formation and financing to restructurings and exits. The firm handles transactions across a number of sectors, with an especially strong track record in tech deals. Philip Butler is particularly noted for his debt finance practice. Fellow co-head Christopher Field also provides a range of funds with financing support alongside M&A expertise; cross-border carve-outs are a noteworthy niche. Sam Whittaker represents a wealth of funds, asset managers and investment firms in all manner of transactions, while Mark Evans is praised as ‘very commercial and talented in cutting through complex issues to find a solution.’ Jodie Valler-Feltham and Jamal Tuhin are also recommended.

Described as ‘very knowledgeable and business oriented’, the team at Dechert LLP handles a host of domestic and international M&A transactions across the financial services, life sciences, healthcare and TMT sectors. The practice is jointly led by Philip Butler, who advises clients on the on the implementation of complex debt structures, and Christopher Field, who is noted for his expertise in multijurisdictional corporate carve-outs. Ross Montgomery is a key adviser to major international corporations on highly regulated, cross-border transactions. Douglas Getter has left the firm.