At Slaughter and May, ‘the client ethos is all-pervasive’. The multi-specialist finance group handles a broad range of work for corporates, though it continues to expand its bank-side business. The ‘technically brilliant’ Oliver Wicker and Richard Jones lead the group and are highly skilled in derivatives, while standout partners Ed Fife and Guy O’Keefe are key advisers to corporates, governmental entities and financial institutions. ‘Her knowledge and attention to detail is outstanding’, say clients of Caroline Phillips, whose recent work includes developing a secured commodity trading platform.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Exceptional, broad technical knowledge. Able to advise on all aspects of highly complex transactions.’

  • ‘Oliver Wicker is an exceptional partner - technically brilliant.’

  • ‘The Slaughter and May team provides exceptionally high-quality advice in the area of derivatives and structured products. All queries are addressed in a timely manner, without the need for any follow up or chasing. The advice is always very relevant to our business issues.’

  • ‘I particularly enjoy working with Caroline Phillips. Her knowledge and attention to detail is outstanding, and she makes sure that the client has all the necessary information and legal advice in order to achieve an agreement with the counterparty.’

  • ‘Approachable and knowledgeable individuals.’

  • ‘Kristina Locmele works hard to understand our requirements and drivers, and to incorporate them in her advice.’

  • 'Slaughter and May's USP in terms of its derivatives and structured products practice is that the client ethos is all-pervasive. So from a corporate client perspective, advice and transactions management are underpinned by the team having a deep understanding of the broader corporate DNA.'

  • 'Depth of understanding of our company. Nothing about the relationship ever feels transactional. Great problem solvers, solutions providers and sound technical knowledge. At partner level, Guy O'Keefe and at associate level Louis Kriechbaum embody these qualities and attributes.'

Key clients

  • NewDay
  • United Utilities
  • Diageo
  • Santander Consumer (UK) plc
  • Deutsche Bank

Work highlights

  • Advised a major international investment bank’s repo desk on a range of their more complex, important and high value repo, reverse repo and securities lending arrangements.
  • Advised a major international investment bank on a series of credit default swap transactions in which protection is written to another credit institution against default by underlying clients on derivatives and similar transactions.
  • Advised one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automotive and construction equipment and marine and industrial engines in relation to their ISDA Master Agreements and Credit Support Annexes with various bank counterparties.

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.

Oliver Wicker, Richard Jones

Other key lawyers

Ed Fife, Caroline Phillip, Kristina Locmele, Louis Kriechbaum