The commodities, trade and upstream finance practice at Dentons 'has obvious expertise and engages collaboratively throughout deals'. The team brings together expertise in project finance, OTC securities, export credit finance and Islamic banking to complement its core skills in trade finance instruments, for which Ian Clements is the main practitioner. He handles syndicated and bilateral borrowing base, pre-export and structured prepayment financings. Mark Cheney is a key adviser to investment banks, commodity trading houses and utilities on complex trading transactions in the energy sector. Asset-based lending specialist Simon Prendergast is highly regarded for receivables financing transactions, and the 'solution-driven' James Francis is also active in export and asset finance matters. The firm is a trusted adviser to leading international banks, ECAs, and corporate borrowers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘People and collaboration are the two key points of difference for Dentons. The people have obvious expertise and they engage collaboratively throughout deals. They definitely go above-and-beyond, working far beyond anticipated deadlines, unlike other law firms I have engaged with. ’
‘Paul Holland and James Francis at Dentons are excellent. Their availability and willingness to engage collaboratively has always impressed and helped us through the process. They are experts in their field and are solution-driven.’
Key clients
- ING Bank N.V.
- Ghana Cocoa Board
- Coöoperative Rabobank U.A
- E D & F Man Group
- Natixis
- UK Export Finance
- Trafigura
- FBNQuest Merchant Bank
Work highlights
- Advised Ghana Cocoa Board in relation to the pre-export financing of Ghana's 2023/24 cocoa crop: this year the facility provided for a financing of up to $800m. Advised COCOBOD in the negotiations of the facility agreement and security documentation, as well as on logistics concerning the security arrangements across COCOBOD's annual and long term financings.
- A financing transaction for Bamford Bus Company Limited on behalf of Barclays Bank plc and UK Export Finance, comprising a UKEF Export Development Guarantee backed facility and a tied commercial facility (each guaranteed by parent companies and a personal guarantee from the borrower's UBO).
- Advising Blazehill on the UK and US law aspects of a complex and innovative transaction which involved Blazehill providing ABL facilities to the UK and US subsidiaries of Jain International Foods, a global processor and supplier of food products with its headquarters in India. Blazehill's ABL facilities were provided alongside revolving working capital facilities from Wells Fargo Bank.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Ian Clements