A&O Shearman has ‘a first-class team with a deep bench that is technically excellent with a keen commercial approach.’ The firm is active in every corner of the derivatives and structured products market, particularly in novel and emerging areas of structured finance and regulatory. The ‘very commercial and pragmatic’ Guy Antrobus leads the practice and focuses his practice on risk transfer transactions and synthetic securitisations. Parya Badie has a stellar track record that includes innovative transactions, a prime example being the first synthetic securitisation based exclusively on UK ESG assets. Up-and-coming partners Paul Allan, who focuses on credit derivatives and equity derivatives, and structured credit and repack specialist Tanya O’Hagan are key members of the practice. Sara Couling frequently advises borrowers and lenders on fixed income and FX derivatives in connection with leveraged, acquisition, infrastructure and project financing transactions. Ross Stewart in equity financing through margin loans and derivatives. Patrick Clancy is recommended for bespoke structured finance products. Former practice head Emma Dwyer and Daniel Shurman departed the firm in early 2024. Andrew Sulston retired in November 2023.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team has a breadth and depth of knowledge on derivatives and structured products compared with some of its peers. They are user-friendly, especially on complex legal topics.’
‘Guy Antrobus - very good technical lawyer but also very commercial and pragmatic and lead solutions on difficult transactions to a high completion rate.’
Key clients
- FIA Technology Services
- The International Swaps and Derivatives Association
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel for a global financial institution, helping to structure and document a hybrid financing that allowed institutional capital investors to invest alongside syndicate lenders as part of a EUR 1.25 billion financing package for a sovereign borrower.
- Advised FIA Technology Services (FIA Tech) on its implementation of the 2023 FIA Tech Regulatory Protocol (the Regulatory Protocol). The Regulatory Protocol provides a legal framework for adopting parties to amend their Give-Up Agreements (GUAs) at scale to include any standard form clauses required by a particular regulatory initiative.