Simmons & Simmons

At Simmons & Simmons, 'partners tend be very involved, rather than delegating too far down, and are supported by a high quality team of associates'. The firm acts for arrangers, lenders, borrowers, issuers, originators, servicers and trustees on domestic and cross-border securitisations and other asset-backed financings, including RMBS, car loan and credit card receivables transactions, and covered bonds. 'Very hands on, commercially pragmatic and available' practice head Michael Lorraine is particularly adept in alternative lender and fintech structures. He acted for Landbay Partners Limited as originator of specialist buy-to-let loans on a forward flow agreement. Key partner Amer Siddiqui focuses on public RMBS transactions and 'his knowledge and level of involvement is first-class and he is always proactive in identifying key issues'. He assisted a syndicate of banks, among them Barclays and HSBC, on the £365m Together CRE3 public securitisation, which is backed by residential and commercial real estate assets. Kathryn James frequently handles consumer loan transactions, James Grand leads the firm’s CLO practice, and counsel Kate Cofman-Nicoresti specialises in trade finance-related transactions. Managing associate Olga Staszewska is 'very efficient and meets all deadlines'.