Fund instructions form much of Macfarlanes LLP‘s acquisition finance work, whether it be work for credit funds lending to sponsors, or private equity funds as borrowers in M&A. In this context, the firm also benefits from a one-stop-shop service, having in some cases set up the original fund through its strong fund formation practice. Drawing on ’superb legal knowledge and experience’, Malcolm Hitching has ‘the ability to think creatively and commercially’, ensuring that mid-market sponsors receive an excellent service on their leveraged finance mandates. Kirstie Hutchinson is also highly accomplished on behalf of fund clients as borrowers, while team head Andrew Perkins takes the lead in most of the firm’s most significant credit fund lender work.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Their in-depth knowledge of the law on financial services is exceptional. They are client-oriented and pragmatic.’
‘Very strong people - the team is good at cross collaboration and bringing in the expertise you need from different parts of the firm as and when needed.'
‘Malcolm Hitching is a legal legend and a leader by example. He has an eye for detail, superb legal knowledge and experience.’
‘Malcolm Hitching is extremely responsive and an excellent adviser; helping you work out how to best shape and frame a deal from the start. He has the ability to think creatively and commercially.’
Leading individuals
Malcolm is a debt finance expert, and specialises in leveraged finance, specialty financings, restructuring and debt advisory work. He has considerable experience acting for sponsors, lenders, borrowers and financial advisers, and over the past 25 years has been involved in a great many deals across a wide range of industry sectors and geographies.
Kirstie acts for private equity sponsors and portfolio companies, corporate borrowers and issuers, credit fund and bank lenders, special situations investors and speciality finance providers on a range of financing transactions including investment grade, hybrid and leveraged financings and acquisition financings, dividend recapitalisations and capital restructurings. She has extensive domestic, European and global cross-border experience. Kirstie is a member of the Banking Law Committee of the International Bar Association and of the British-German Jurists Association. She is ranked by Chambers & Partners and by Legal 500 2021 as a “Leading Individual” for both “Acquisition Finance” and “Bank Lending: Investment Grade Debt and Syndicated Loans”; and was named in “The Lawyer” magazine’s “Hot 100 2021” as “one of the City’s go-to banking and finance lawyers for private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers and credit funds”.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrew Perkins