A&O Shearman‘s fund finance practice has deep experience acting for borrowers and lenders, from mid and large-cap sponsors and sovereign wealth funds to banks and credit funds. The department is rated for its expertise across subscription line-financing, NAV, and GP facilities. Leadership is split between Greg Brown, Fiona Cumming and Parisa Clovis. Brown is active in advising leading GPs and routinely handles international matters. Cumming is experienced in the full suite of financing products and is intimately familiar with using securitisation techniques on finance facilities. Clovis, who joined from Kirkland & Ellis International LLP in July 2024, has a robust sponsor-side practice, covering a range of financings across all asset classes.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Strong bench of partners across fund finance and private capital, more generally.’
‘Fiona Cumming is a stand-out: strong work ethic, commercially minded but at the same time no stone is left unturned, understands the key drivers of deals in ways which other lawyers do not.’
‘The A&O Shearman fund finance practice combines deep technical expertise with a genuinely commercial mindset. What sets the team apart is its ability to provide pragmatic advice on complex structures without overcomplicating delivery.'
'They’re consistently responsive, easy to deal with, and solutions-focused—particularly when navigating cross-border considerations or bespoke investor-side requirements.’
‘Parisa Clovis stands out as a rare combination of deep experience and razor-sharp commercial judgment. She brings a level of transactional exposure and commercial insight that few in the City can match. But what really sets her apart is her approach: she’s calm under pressure, doesn’t grandstand, and never loses sight of what actually matters to the client.’
‘Reactive and well-skilled team on all fund financing matters.’
Key clients
- Hines
- Cheyne Capital Management
- Exponent Private Equity
- State Street Bank
- M&G Investments
Work highlights
Advised Ares Alternative Credit in relation to a market first securitisation of a portfolio of subscription finance facilities to mid-market private equity firms, originated in partnership with Investec Fund Solutions.
Advised an alternative investment manager in respect of inaugural USD800m capital call facilities for its various funds.
Advised the infrastructure arm of a major private equity company on a EUR1.3bn syndicated capital call facility.
Lawyers
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Greg Brown; Fiona Cumming; Parisa Clovis