The Legal 500

Regarded as ‘first choice’ for banking work by clients, Camilleri Preziosi’s expertise extends to syndicated and project finance, commercial and investment banking, acquisition finance as well as a thriving capital markets practice. The firm acted for the lender on the refinancing of a $1.1bn facilities agreement by a Maltese borrower. Clients include Erste Bank and Bank of Valetta. Head of the group Louis de Gabriele and Laragh Cassar are both highly recommended.

Offering ‘excellent levels of client service’ GVTH Advocates has a strong capital markets practice and advised issuing companies on four different public offerings on the local market in 2010. The firm also acts for foreign clients on tax, trusts and related financial services and banking matters. Transactional highlights included acting for an international pharmaceutical chain on debt restructuring and group financing with a number of foreign banks. Joseph Vella and Sarah Jacobsen are recommended.

With ‘strength in depth’ and ‘years of experience’, Ganado & Associates is highly rated by clients for its banking work as part of a wider financial services practice, which also includes insurance and investment services capability. The firm acted for an overseas client in the takeover of Mediterranean Bank plc and is also working with a number of clients to obtain new bank licences. Managing partner Max Ganado and head of the banking practice Conrad Portanier are the names to note.

Almost 30 fee-earners at Mamo TCV Advocates make it one of Malta’s largest firms. With a strong reputation in all facets of commercial law, its banking and finance practice is highly regarded and works with local and foreign clients operating in the financial services sector and insurance business. The firm’s transactional expertise extends to both the lender and borrower side. Andrew Muscat is recommended.

Best known for its market-leading shipping finance practice, Fenech & Fenech Advocates also acts for international banks and multinational clients on derivative transactions, cross-border syndicated loans and security arrangements. The key names for banking work are Rosanne Bonnici and Joseph Ghio, who are highly regarded in the market.

Responsible for drafting some of the major financial services legislation prior to Malta’s accession to the European Union, medium-sized firm Galea Salomone & Associates is well-regarded by peers. Clients include governmental agencies as well as international banks. Managing partner Arthur Galea Salomone and James Bannister are recommended.

International corporate work is at the heart of AVMT Advocates’ practice. Bank lending and restructuring are areas of strength as part of a broader financial services practice. Anton Micallef is recommended.

While best known for its market-leading litigation practice, Buttigieg, Refalo & Zammit Pace Advocates also has banking expertise. Roderick Zammit Pace is the name to note for project finance and syndicated lending work.

Restructuring and investment funds work are areas of strength for CDF Advocates. Frank Chetcuti Dimech is well regarded in the market.

Chetcuti Cauchi Advocates’ financial services practice encompasses regulatory matters, corporate finance, funds and investment services work. Silvana Zammit heads up the group and is recommended.

With particular expertise in licensing and regulatory matters, EMD Advocates offers clients an ‘exemplary level of service’. Pierre Mifsud ‘understands all the issues and anticipates problems’.

Founded by the ex-President of Malta, Guido de Marco & Associates is a well connected firm on the island. Capital markets work, investment services and collective investment schemes are core areas.

Hugh Peralta & Associates’ expertise lies in licensing matters, the formation of trading and investment companies, and hedgefundwork. Senior partner Hugh Peralta is the name to note.

Insurance, electronic banking and collective investment schemes are areas of strength for Muscat Azzopardi & Associates. James Muscat Azzopardi is recommended.

R. Frendo Randon & Associates is known for its investment services and tax work. Philip Manduca is well regarded.

Founded in May 2009 by a former partner at GVTH Advocates, Simon Tortell and Associates has made a successful start. It has already attracted local and foreign clients, including large investment banks and multinationals. Simon Tortell is the key player.

Zammit & Associates – Advocates clients include a top tier European bank, which it advised on securities held in Malta as part of a merger process. Andrew Zammit is described by clients as ‘excellent’.