Mirroring the growth of Goodwin‘s London office across other transactional practice areas, including private equity and venture capital, the firm’s restructuring offering is an increasingly compelling proposition for fund clients, as well as other stakeholders, including IPs and boards of directors, across a range of restructuring and insolvency mandates. Credit funds also provide a fertile source of work, an area that Simon Thomas, who provides ’practical and very solutions-focused advice’, combines with his private equity portfolio debtor work. Geoff O’Dea co-heads the team alongside Thomas and is ‘absolutely top of the market for complex restructuring transactions’, aided by Tony Horspool.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'The team is flexible, innovative and creative. The lawyers provide practical and very solutions-focused advice.'
  • 'Simon Thomas provides practical and very solutions-focused advice.'
  • 'Geoff O'Dea is hugely experienced across a broad range of situations, has represented a variety of stakeholders, and will be tough and tenacious in negotiations, but also creative in trying to find solutions.'
  • 'Geoff O'Dea is absolutely top of the market for complex restructuring transactions. He can "see around corners" and develop solutions before others have even spotted the problem.'
  • 'Emily Lockhart has strong restructuring and insolvency skills.'

Key clients

  • Telegraph Media Group/Spectator Group
  • Rockport
  • Osprey Investments Limited
  • Multiple credit funds including Permira Credit, Tikehau, Alcentra and Bridgepoint Capital
  • AroundTown SA
  • Alvarez & Marsal
  • Teneo
  • Roundshield
  • Multiple clients in relation to the demise of Silicon Valley Bank
  • Collateral agents Kroll and Madison Pacific
  • PwC
  • FRP Advisory
  • Interpath
  • Kroll Advisory

Work highlights

  • Advised the independent directors appointed by the Telegraph Media Group and Spectator Media Group’s lender following the failure to meet its loan obligations.
  • Advised global shoe brand Rockport in relation to its financial restructuring, including acting for its UK holding company (which holds the shares in various international trading subsidiaries) and which, pursuant to the restructuring process, entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the US.
  • Advised multiple clients across the globe on issues arising from the demise of Silicon Valley Bank, offering strategic counsel and support amid the challenges posed by the bank's downfall.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Simon Thomas, Geoff O’Dea

Other key lawyers

Tom Plowman, Emily Lockhart