England - London • Finance

Clifford Chance LLP

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Drawing on 'huge market knowledge' and extensive international resources, Clifford Chance LLP remains a compelling proposition for creditors and debtors on big-ticket and complex leveraged and event-driven deals.  Although the firm has gained market traction among credit funds, its strong and longstanding commercial/investment bank relationships continue to inform much of the deal flow, both in the leveraged market, as well as on corporate-led M&A deals. Emma Folds is one of many experienced partners in the team who is conversant with debt structures throughout the capital structure, deploying this knowledge to good effect across a range of transactions, running the gamut from sponsor-driven leveraged deals, through to restructurings and corporate lending mandates. In addition, along with Michael Bates and Julia House, she is also well-versed at handling infrastructure finance transactions. Dual UK and Sweden-qualified partner Peter Dahlen has strong knowledge of leveraged finance transactions, utilising both bank and credit fund-sourced debt, and has a particular niche advising on Nordic deals. While lender work remains the lifeblood of the practice, under the guidance of Taner Hassan, the firm also continues to handle a considerable volume of significant private equity-led cross-border leveraged finance matters. Hassan co-heads the overarching banking and finance team alongside David Robson, whose lender-focused practice includes both leveraged and M&A financings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Huge market knowledge and very well set up to support banks.'
  • 'The firm provides a very slick service, everything you need is provided without having to ask for it.'
  • 'Julia House is a rising star in the infrastructure financing sector, who guided a large syndicate of banks through a very complicated infrastructure acquisition financing this year, combining expert advice, commercial pragmatism, slick delivery and good humour.'
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Key clients

  • Cinven
  • Jaguar Land Rover
  • Apera Capital
  • Macquarie
  • BAML
  • Morgan Stanley
  • NatWest
  • EQT
  • Telefonica

Work highlights

  • Advised a global investment company in relation to its acquisition of Element Materials Technology Group (which generates annual revenues of c. USD 1 billion). The debt comprised a first lien TLB, acquisition and capex line and RCF; second lien debt; and holdco PIK. It included both EUR and USD currency tranches, with syndication out of London and New York.
  • Advised Cinven and True Potential Group Limited (a technology-led wealth management company) on the financing for Cinven's acquisition of True Potential, including a £675m bridge facility, which was refinanced through the issuance of sterling and euro senior secured notes, and a £100m revolving credit facility.
  • Advised the mandated lead arrangers on the financing of Macquarie Asset Management and BCI's investment in National Grid's gas transmission and metering business.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

David Robson, Taner Hassan

Other key lawyers

Michael Bates, Peter Dahlen, Emma Folds, Jim MacHale, Nicholas Kinnersley, Thomas Critchley, Alexandra Dimsdale-Gill, Julia House, Richard Day