White & Case LLP has seen a major restructuring of its high yield practice with the departures of Jill Concannon to Clifford Chance LLP and Gilles Teerlinck to Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP, and James Greene taking over as practice head. Greene, who is ‘able to navigate complex and stressful situations in a calm and efficient manner’, counts JP Morgan, CVC Capital Partners and BNP Paribas among his clients. He advised joint global coordinators and joint bookrunners on a $420m notes offering by Mauritian telecommunications company Axian Telecom. Key partner Monica Holden, who handles bond transactions for issuers, sponsors and underwriters, and senior associate Anna Soroka ‘don’t hide behind the law, but give clear and concise advice, and understand what the client wants and what the commercial drivers are’. In February 2024, Anthony Tama joined the firm from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘W&C has an excellent HY practice and have been active in the market almost since its inception in Europe. They are agile and have the ability to meet client's often demanding needs in a commercial and time-efficient manner. They offer good value for money.’
‘James Greene is one of the best practitioners in the industry. Always responsive no matter the time of day and night and is able to navigate complex and stressful situations in a calm and efficient manner. He is a solution finder! No issue is too complex.’
'The whole team at W&C are very easy to communicate with and are very knowledgeable within their areas of expertise. This makes me very confident that I am being advised in the correct manner.'
'I have to highlight James Greene who has an unbelievable knowledge of HY markets. James gives advice in a clear and concise manner and has the whole respect of our team from advisory board level to the senior management team.'
'Mastery of the subject matter; extraordinarily responsive; good client handling skills; clear advice - don't hide behind the law, but give clear and concise advice, and cut through the "white noise" understand what the client wants and what its commercial drivers are.'
'Subject knowledge, speed of advice, quality of advice, nothing is ever too much! Calm under pressure, very good at thinking on feet, strong work ethic, very responsive.'
'Universal coverage of legal issues and worldwide presence and/or contacts and expertise.'
'James Greene has in-depth expertise in finance and securities transactions. He takes a practical and commercial approach to issues. His team is staffed adequately to ensure work is delivered in a timely manner at reasonable cost. I would very highly recommend James for his professionalism and work ethic.'

Key clients

Encore Capital Group
Energean
JP Morgan
CVC Capital Partners
International Game Technology
BNP Paribas
Barclays
Ideal Standard
Adler Group
doValue
Deutsche Bank
Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited

Work highlights

Representation of Goldman Sachs, as placement agent, and the investors in connection with a tap offering of €105 million senior secured floating rate notes due 2028 by Cedacri Mergeco S.p.A. The notes were offered and sold pursuant to Rule144A and Regulation S under the US Securities Act and listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange.
Representation of J.P. Morgan, Société Générale and Standard Bank and Joint Global Coordinators and Joint Bookrunners on the offering of US$420 million 7.375% Senior Notes due 2027 by Axian Telecom, a Mauritian telecommunications company, guaranteed on a senior basis by certain subsidiaries of Axian Telecom.
Representation of the initial purchasers on the debut €350 million sustainability-linked high yield bond offering by F.I.S. - Fabbrica Italiana Sintetici S.p.A.