Morrison Foerster is a premier firm for US private placement transactions, though it also handles MTN and commercial paper  programmes. Clients praise the firm's 'client focus with a good eye for practical solutions'. Practice head Scott Ashton also takes the lead on the firm's work on Nordic transactions. Ashton and Brian Bates recently acted for a Finnish energy utility company in its private placement of €280m Green Notes. Jacob Mendoza provides 'incredibly clear and thorough advice' on private secured and unsecured debt placements.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Very collaborative firm with a strong focus on what the client wants and needs. Flexible and able to deal with whatever timelines and requirements are posed.’

  • ‘Jake Mendoza has a really personal approach and made me feel like both me and my organisation matter to him on a personal level. He also provides incredibly clear and thorough advice.’

  • ‘Deep understanding of USPP documentation, and supportive approach to clients new to the area.’

  • ‘Scott Ashton was a key partner in our transaction and carried us through the cross-border complexity.’

  • ‘Jacob Mendoza. An expert in his field. Incredibly talented and a pleasure to work with. Always willing to go that extra mile and deliver over and above. ’

  • ‘Clarity of thought and advice. Collaborative approach.’

  • ‘The members of this firm are very knowledgeable about the products they cover and are always very helpful and informative. They are excellent solution providers and collaborate with anyone in the industry to provide the best solutions to clients’

  • ‘The individuals at MoFo are very friendly, approachable, intelligent and knowledgeable about their fields. They are always available and work very hard to address client issues. They are also generous with their time even outside of deals often offering training advice on particular products they cover. The individuals always add value to the conversation and are a pleasure to work with.’

Key clients

  • Royal FrieslandCampina N.V.
  • Teollisuuden Voima Oyj
  • Bidcorp FoodService (Europe) Limited
  • Isavia ohf.
  • Newlon Housing Trust
  • Pantheon International PLC
  • Infrastructure Investments Limited Partnership
  • Hightown Housing Association Limited
  • AVI Global Trust plc
  • Landsnet hf
  • Royal Vopak N.V.
  • Sibelga CVBA
  • Bon Secours Mercy Health, Inc.
  • Forth Ports Finance PLC
  • Vivid Housing

Work highlights

  • Advised Royal FrieslandCampina N.V., a Dutch multinational dairy cooperative, in its €400,000,000 and $100,000,000 private placement of Senior Sustainability-Linked Notes.
  • Represented Finnish energy utilities company, Teollisuuden Voima Oyj (TVO), on its successful private placement of €280 million Green Notes, the first issuance under the Green Bond Framework established by TVO in the summer of 2023.
  • Advised Isavia ohf., Iceland’s national airport and air navigation service provider, in its €175,000,000 private placement of Senior Notes, the first bond issue in the history of Isavia.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Scott Ashton

Other key lawyers

Brian Bates, Jacob Mendoza