A&O Shearman
A&O Shearman is ‘the market leader in debt capital markets, consistently providing the highest level of client service and its lawyers are the best in the market’. A top choice for new issuance by corporates, financial institutions and sovereigns, the firm is also a leading adviser on liability management deals, debt programmes, and innovative areas of the market such as digital bonds. The ‘very dependable, sound and fair’ Tom Grant, who has a particular focus on regulatory capital transactions, leads the practice. He recently helped a global bank establish a €5bn MTN programme for Novo Banco. Daniel Fletcher recent advised a bank syndicate comprising BNP Paribas, HSBC and RBC Capital Markets on the European Investment Bank’s inaugural issuance of sterling-denominated digital bonds. US-qualified partner Sachin Davé is ‘very proactive, commercial and reliable’, particularly for private placement transactions. Jamie Durham and the ‘experienced and affable’ Jonathan Melton ‘understand how to get a deal across the line’. Theo Trayhurn (who is ‘an excellent sparring partner and is very good at drafting technical provisions’) assisted Associated British Foods Plc with £400m in new issuance. Peter Crossan, who work acts for corporates, financial institutions, sovereigns and supra-nationals, head of international capital markets Amanda Thomas and newly promoted partner Andrew Enga all play central roles in the DCM practice. Following the merger with Shearman & Sterling, other key lawyers include Trevor Ingram ‘produces work of the highest calibre’. He acted for Deutsche Bank as underwriter of the $2bn offering of sustainability-linked notes by Eaton Corporation. Key partner Pawel Szaja, who works in both Dubai and London, has extensive experience in both debt and equity transactions in the CEE and CIS regions. Associate Evangelia Andronikou and Marwa Elborai are also recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The team provides a market leading proposition that balances deep understanding of traditional securities markets in all jurisdictions with a unique understanding of the developments in the digitisation of the market. Their hands on experience on the ground breaking deals mean they provide insights and practical implementation knowledge that few others can provide.'
‘Allen & Overy is the market leader in debt capital markets. They are my go-to law firm as they consistently provide the highest level of client service and their lawyers are the best in the market. Not only do they provide the legal advice of the best quality but they are also very commercial and understand the needs of the client and are highly responsive.’
‘Sachin Dave - US partner is my go-to for US law advice. Very proactive and commercial and very reliable. Best US lawyer in the firm. Tom Wilson - counsel. technically brilliant lawyer and very trustworthy.'
‘Strong partnership from this team, who we use across different fixed income desks and products. Decent support from their network of local offices across Europe. Very capable for investment grade DCM, EMTN programmes, regulatory capital but also strong US securities capability.’
‘Sachin Dave - excellent partner who always picks up the phone and offers valuable insight, regardless of whether he is acting for us. Very supportive of my whole team including the juniors. Tom Grant - very dependable, solid pair of hands for regulatory capital and liability management. Sound and fair. Jonathan Melton - experienced and affable, a pleasure to work with on corporate deals. Understands how to get a deal across the line.’
‘The team we work with, headed by Theo Trayhurn, has a high level understanding of the market with a helicopter view of what players in the market are doing and future trends. Theo and his team a have very good commercial sense and work pragmatically to find solutions. They work really well together as a team. The lawyers communicate well, are incredibly responsive, and absolute top professionals.’
‘Theo Trayhurn and his team have superb legal skills which they combine with being very pragmatic, solutions-oriented. Theo is an excellent sparring partner and is very good at drafting technical provisions.’
'The team has a very strong grasp of complex product and how to manage it in an ever evolving regulatory environment. Impressive bench strength, a very helpful feel for the market and deep resource both in the UK and in key overseas jurisdictions makes them a valuable partner.'
'Deep product knowledge of complex product and documentation aligned with a strong feel for the market together. Their constructive approach and positive engagement skills further improves the experience.'
Key clients
- States of Jersey
- A global financial institution and Commerzbank
- BNP Paribas, HSBC and RBC Capital Markets
- Associated British Foods PLC
- International Capital Markets Association (ICMA)
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Rising stars
Leading individuals
Next Generation Partners
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Tom Grant