Leveraging a 'detailed understanding of the latest market trends and norms' and with an 'impressive knowledge of acquisition finance nuances across multiple jurisdictions', Herbert Smith Freehills LLP regularly acts for both lenders and borrowers on cross-border transactions. On the borrower side, although corporate mandates still account for a good deal of work in the space (a function of the firm's strong institutional ties with a number of FTSE 100/250 companies), it is also increasingly active for sponsors, adding particular value in areas of firmwide sector strength including energy and real estate. The 'very pragmatic' Will Nevin continues to grow the firm's lender-side credentials and is a key member of the overarching banking and finance team that is co-led by Kristen Roberts, William Breeze and Gabrielle Wong.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team has an impressive knowledge of acquisition finance nuances across multiple jurisdictions.'
- 'They have detailed understanding of the latest market trends and norms.'
- 'Will Nevin is very pragmatic.'
Key clients
- Blackstone Capital Partners
- Synthomer plc
- Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Brookfield Capital Partners LLC
- Cabot Square Capital
- Fidelity
- Sequoia Investment Management Company Limited
Work highlights
- Advised Blackstone on the non-US elements of the financing of Emerson's sale of a majority stake in its Climate Technologies business to private equity funds managed by Blackstone in a transaction valuing Climate Technologies at $14bn.
- Advised Evergreen Coast Capital Corporation, an affiliate of Elliott Investment Management L.P. and Brookfield Capital Partners LLC, on the consortium acquisition of Nielsen Holdings plc, the S&P 500 audience measurement, data and analytics company, for approximately $16bn in an all-cash deal. The deal was implemented by way of a UK scheme of arrangement.
- Advised Sequoia on the senior acquisition financing to Pioneer Point for its acquisition of Esken Renewables, a leading supplier of biomass fuel.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Kristen Roberts, William Breeze, Gabrielle Wong