Combining the ‘inherent bench strength and breadth of experience of a Magic Circle firm, with the personal touch and availability normally retained for smaller firms’, A&O Shearman remains a very popular choice among major commercial and investment banks for advice on syndicated global loans. In this context, the ’top-notch banking team’, which is co-headed out of London by Simon Roberts and Philip Bowden, is also able to effectively leverage its vast international resources, ensuring that it can provide a holistic, one-stop-shop approach. Drawing upon ‘a vast and detailed knowledge of the syndicated loan market’, Greg Brown regularly advises lenders on the provision of finance facilities for large investment grade borrowers, including in relation to ESG/sustainability-linked transactions. The ’exceptional’ David Campbell arrives at ‘very pragmatic solutions’, including for Nordic lenders and corporates, in addition, he has been at the forefront of the firm’s use of legal technology to better facilitate the migration from LIBOR to new risk-free rates. The ’super responsive’ Jane Glancy has a ‘broad range of knowledge and experience’, which she imparts to good effect on general corporate lending (for both investment grade borrowers and on cross over credits), as well as investment grade-led acquisition finance facilities. Senior associate Dominique Crowley is also recommended and has been at the forefront of the firm’s efforts advising on the transition from LIBOR to risk-free rates. Following the merger with Shearman & Sterling, the team now includes Sanjeev Dhuna, whose focus is primarily on leveraged finance mandates.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'It is a top-notch banking team.'
'They combine the inherent bench strength and breadth of experience of a Magic Circle firm, with the personal touch and availability normally retained for smaller firms.'
'Greg Brown has a vast and detailed knowledge of the syndicated loan market, a great rapport and is always on hand with quick but sound delivery.'
'The exceptional David Campbell explains everything really well and comes up with very pragmatic solutions.'
'The super responsive Jane Glancy is highly skilled, detail-oriented and provides sound solutions-based advice.'
'Jane Glancy continues to amaze with her broad range of knowledge and experience and her ability to be available and close to the detail on all of her transactions.'

Work highlights

Advising BNP Paribas and a syndicate of lenders, arrangers and sustainability coordinator and facility agent on the refinancing of the existing £2.5bn syndicated revolving credit facility for a major UK multinational retailer.
Advised, among others, BNP Paribas as bookrunner and Barclays Bank plc and Citizens Bank as mandated lead arrangers and bookrunners for QinetiQ Group plc’s new £350m bridge and term facility for their acquisition of Avantus Federal LLC.
Advising IWG plc, a global supplier of flexible workspace solutions, on its £330m non-recourse bridge facility to fund the acquisition of The Instant Group and on the £750m amendment and restatement of its existing committed revolving credit facility.