Linklaters LLP‘s investment funds team is highly regarded for its private credit activity and strong representation of sponsors and investors. The practice continues to draw on its international capabilities to advise on global mandates and multijurisdictional transactions, handling the formation, taxation, and regulation of investment funds spanning the full range of asset classes. Matthew Keogh receives many plaudits for his work covering the retailisation of private funds. Rahul Manvatkar has helped to develop the firm’s reputation in the ESG sphere, providing key advice concerning SFDR and other fund-impacting regulations. Clare Baker oversees the firm’s investor and secondaries practice, helping cornerstone investors committing billions of dollars to numerous funds. Other key figures include Gareth Crimp, who covers the full spectrum of private equity, private credit, and real estate funds; Ben Jennings, a known name for co-investments and access funds; and Emily Simmons, who regularly engages with transactions and fundraisings in the European infrastructure debt market.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Clare Baker is hands-on and visible on all deals; knowledgeable of the market; and gets the right balance with respect to delegating to associates while supporting them but being involved in the details of the transaction.' 

  • ‘Clare Baker is a pleasure to deal with. She is very knowledgeable about the industry and provides high-level service.’

  • ‘Standout partners are Matt Keogh and Ben Jennings. Emily Simmons is an exceptional managing associate.' 

  • 'The team truly understand our needs and can advise effectively bringing value add and enabling the business to bridge the legal and commercial issues.’
  • ‘Clare Baker and Olof Echt are very responsive and always provide very high-quality analysis and advice. They have an excellent knowledge of the industry.’

  • ‘Clare Baker and Rob Phillips are outstanding. They both understand client needs and tailor their service specifically to this. They are also fun to work with, which should not be underestimated given how turgid some LPA reviews can be! ’

  • ‘Good breadth across the private credit market, strong investor practice to drive insights across the market and trends in investor and GP. Collaboration across the globe is good, particularly with integrated practice in Singapore to support on local based investors.' 

  • ‘Very strong breadth of knowledge and great leadership by the partner group.’

Key clients

  • Ardian
  • Barings
  • DWS
  • Morgan Stanley
  • Partners Group
  • SoftBank
  • Cerberus
  • Prism Ventures
  • QIC
  • Macquarie

Work highlights

  • Acting as fund counsel concerning a closed-ended infrastructure debt fund focusing on investments located in the OECD countries.
  • Acted for MAM in the launch of its first fund financing fund, Macquarie Portfolio Financing Fund SCSp.
  • Acting as fund counsel to Barings Perpetual European Direct Lending Fund.

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
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.

Matthew Keogh

Other key lawyers

Rahul Manvatkar, Clare Baker, Julia Vergauwen, Amin Ebrahim, Ben Jennings, Emily Simmons, Gabriela Patrikova, Gareth Crimp