The ‘entrepreneurial, commercial and highly personable’ team at Sidley Austin LLP has continued to gain market share for a range of stakeholders throughout the capital structure, from lead lenders, private equity sponsors engaged in distressed investments and for portfolio companies requiring liability management advice. Under the leadership of the ’young, energetic and commercial’ Jifree Cader and Mark Knight, the firm has, however, been particularly successful in scoring debtor-side roles, both in Europe and Asia. Most notably, the team has successfully worked alongside its Hong Kong restructuring and capital markets colleagues on the spate of offshore Chinese real estate company restructurings which have ensued since the firm acted as issuer counsel on their bond raisings.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'An entrepreneurial, commercial and highly personable team.'
'Mark Knight and Jifree Cader are both young, energetic and commercial, and are a joy to work with.'
'Mark Knight's ability to see the big picture, apply a strong commercial mindset and back it up with deep legal skills and hard work means premium results are achieved and the journey to them is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.'
'The Sidley team really understands the commercial issues for our business. They are solution driven and always want to find a solution. A joy to work with!'
'Mark Knight and Jifree Cader stand out amongst their peers. Both are hands-on when working on complex deals.'
'Partners are available around the clock for clients and are hands-on with mandates, providing senior led complex advice using low levered teams, creating cost efficiencies.'
'The individual strength of the team members at each level is highly visible and it is clear the team both likes and greatly respects one another. The working environment created by the Sidley approach results in a sense of being 'in this together' across client and counsel and that drives better outcomes and clearer communication between us.'

Key clients

Scale Facilitation Partners LLC (BritishVolt)
Merced Capital (Telford Offshore)
Schur Flexibles Group
The Learning Network
Global Loan Agency Services Limited (Galapagos)
Global Loan Agency Services Limited (Moby)
Travelex Topco Limited
CFLD (Cayman) Investment Limited
Modern Land (China) Co. Limited
RiseSun Real Estate Development Co., Limited
China Evergrande
Fantasia Holdings Group
Sunac China Holdings Limited

Work highlights

Advised Merced Capital on its acquisition of the Telford Offshore group, by way of enforcement of Cayman security over shares held in the holding company of the operational group.
Advised China Fortune Land Development Co. on the restructuring of its $4.96bn offshore debt by way of English scheme of arrangement.
The Learning Network on the completion of its sale to Dutch investment company (Intersaction) and its associated restructuring.