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DLA Piper UK LLP’s ‘very proactive’ team is notable for its expertise in leveraged and real estate financing and asset based lending, and has a strong presence on a considerable number of the bank panels. The group acted for a syndicate of six banks led by Barclays on £210m syndicated facilities provided to Hill & Smith Holdings. Clients include Square One Bank, Bank of Ireland and GE Commercial Finance. Stephen Bottley is recommended for corporate financing, and Brian Woolcock for real estate financing; both are ‘pragmatic and easy to deal with’.

Eversheds LLP has an ‘accessible and responsive team’ with particular expertise in asset based lending. It advised Bloor Homes/Triumph Motorcyles on a large refinancing by a banking syndicate; and also advised RBS on the refinancing of Cordant Group. The ‘vastly experienced’ Patrick Davis is a ‘problem solver’, and Alistair Hardie is ‘very commercial’. Clients include Santander, Handelsbanken and Barclays. Senior associate Richard Davies is ‘very competent’.

The practice at Pinsent Masons LLP spans leveraged, real estate, corporate and university finance. The team acted for Clydesdale Bank on £23m term loan facilities made available to the University of Brighton, and for Regeneris on a £13m facility provided to it by HSBC. Other clients include HSBC, Lloyds Bank and IM Properties. Alice Broadfield and senior associate Esther Parkes provide ‘balanced and thorough advice’, and Matthew Heaton is also recommended. Edward Sunderland joined the team from Wragge & Co LLP.

Gateley has a ‘strong team’ under the leadership of Andrew Madden. It is particularly experienced in mid-market leveraged financing, and is also recommended for asset based lending. It acted for Lloyds TSB and HSBC on the financing aspects of the MBO of Benson Boxes, and for Pritchard Holdings on the refinancing of its £140m debt facilities with Lloyds TSB. Other clients include Venture Finance and Santander.

Active clients of SGH Martineau LLP include Lloyds Banking Group, Santander and Islamic Bank of Britain. The team, led by David Doogan, acted for Yorkshire/Clydesdale in protecting their security over an office block acquired by the borrower, Linder Myers. The team has considerable expertise in complex debt restructuring and documentary projects work. Ian Baker is now a consultant.

Squire Sanders LLP is highly regarded for its work in asset based lending. Clients include Barclays and Venture Finance, along with new gains Centric Commercial Finance and PNC Financial Services. The team advised Advanced Medical Solutions on the acquisition of Biopharm. Highly rated practice head Jon Bew is ‘always available’, and David Adams is ‘quick to respond’.

Wragge & Co LLP’s team is ‘first class’. The practice is experienced in UK and cross-border mid-market acquisitions, and handles debt and leveraged finance deals for lenders and borrowers. Clients include Deutsche Bank, BNP Paribas and Fortis Bank. It advised CBPE/Rosemont Pharmaceuticals on a £46.6m debt refinancing. Head of department Paula Laird and Chris Brierley are recommended.

Brethertons LLP’s Mary Anderson is ‘prompt, practical and extremely helpful’, and has niche expertise in the financing of hotel construction developments. The team regularly advises on asset lending and refinancing deals, and is on the panel of Lloyds TSB, National Bank of Australia, and Handelsbanken.

Browne Jacobson LLP has a broad practice. Led by the ‘impressive’ Paul Ray, it acted for RBS on the provision of a buy-and-build acquisition finance facility to Spicerhaart Group. The team also handles real estate financing, through associate Nina Armstrong.

Cobbetts LLP acted for Barclays in the provision of a £16m facility to Restore, while other clients include The Co-Operative Bank. Ian Ilersic provides ‘useful and clear advice’, and is well regarded for his lending work in the healthcare sector.

Else Solicitors LLP advises on issues ranging from security validation to guarantee actions and invoice discounting. Chris Else is a key contact.

Shakespeares advised Aldermore Bank on property investment funds. Other clients include Islamic Bank of Britain and Santander. Vicki Simpson and John Hughes are ‘extremely diligent and experienced’.

Shoosmiths advised Thorntons on its refinancing, while other recent clients include RBS, Nurton Developments and Santander. Nottingham-based Shaun McCabe joined from Browne Jacobson LLP, and Helen Wilson is also a key contact.

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