Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Insurance > Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 1

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP leverages its market-leading position in the US to provide client of its London office with a particularly strong offering in relation to transatlantic mandates in the insurance sector. With capabilities that cover the full gamut of M&A, Part VII transfers, reinsurance, de-risking, and Lloyd’s market, the firm combines sector expertise with the capacity to handle complex, cross-border corporate matters. Joseph Ferraro heads the insurance practice, with an established reputation in handling M&A and corporate finance work in the insurance space. Melanie James has an insurance expertise that covers the full range of non-contentious mandates, while Nicholas Bugler  has a specialism in the intersection of reinsurance and capital markets. Jennifer Tait has experience in insurance-linked security transactions, Kirsty Maclean is involved in longevity reinsurance, and Andrew Tromans advises insurance and financial institution clients on company matters, M&A, joint ventures, and outsourcings. Tim Baumgartner covers the full scope of general corporate and insurance-specific transactions, as does associate Eilidh Brown who has an emphasis on risk transfer transactions in the life insurance sector.

Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 2

Acting on many high-profile, complex financial crime cases in both London and internationally, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is consistently called on by clients for advice on anti-bribery and corruption, sanctions, and modern slavery-related matters. With a strong European offering, along with a network of US offices, the team is well equipped to manage cross-border investigations brought by domestic and international enforcement agencies, including the SFO, SEC, and US DOJ. Peter Burrell leads the group, focusing on multi-jurisdictional disputes involving financial fraud, tax evasion, and financial reporting issues, while Rita Mitchell concentrates on sanctions and money laundering matters. The ‘really talented’ Simon Osborn-King works on complex criminal and internal investigations for corporates. At the more junior end, Michael Thorne and Cristina Caggiano are noted for their regulatory and civil work.

Dispute resolution > Competition litigation Tier 3

The ‘dynamic‘ practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP exhibits broad expertise across a number of sectors, including automotive, financial services, and technology. Practice head Boris Bronfentrinker utilises his ‘razor-sharp instinct' when defending clients in European Commission investigations, in addition to internal investigations. ‘Truly bright spark' Elaine Whiteford primarily focuses on assisting with follow-on damages issues, and challenging regulatory decisions. Nicola Chesaites handles a number of collective actions for both claimants and defendants, having a great deal of experience in litigating before the EU General Court; whilst Michelle Clark has deep knowledge surrounding abuse of dominance claims.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 3

Although it remains relatively compact in comparison with some ranked peer firms, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP‘s partner-led team ‘punch well above their weight’ for a creditor/investor-focused client base engaged in a myriad complex restructuring and distressed and special situations investing matters. ‘Very calm through difficult situations’, team head Graham Lane  leads from the front, providing ‘clear, commercial advice that cuts through the complex legal knots’, including for funds seeking to capitalise on restructuring opportunities and to protect and optimise existing investments. Much of the workflow is multi-jurisdictional, with clients benefiting from access to lawyers on the ground across both Europe and US. Edward Downer and Iben Madsen round at the team at partner level, and are both also adept at working with fund clients in particular, both as creditors and investors. At an associate level, Alexander Roy is ‘incredibly creative’ on behalf of corporates, IPs and funds; he recently worked alongside Lane for the debtor in what was the first use of a restructuring plan involving a regulated healthcare business in the UK.  

Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3

One client of Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP remarks that ‘the technical brilliance of this practice is second to none‘. The firm has notable expertise in the insurance capital markets, though it also handles investment grade issuance for corporates and sponsors. London head of capital markets Jennifer Tait and head of corporate insurance capital markets Joseph Ferraro are the principal partners, and both are ‘technically very able and efficient‘. They acted for Herbie Re Ltd in the issuance of $80m in variable rate notes. The transaction was sponsored by Fidelis Insurance Bermuda, which provides Fidelis with reinsurance protection against losses from earthquakes in peak regions in North America. The group also assisted SCOR SE with its $240m offering of notes. Associate David Griffiths is a key adviser on insurance-linked securities and ‘an absolute technician who knows his subject matter inside and out‘.

Finance > High yield Tier 3

The capital market group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is known for its 'expertise and proactivity' and clients note that the high yield partners are 'seasoned professionals, who keep calm and are able to step back and find another way, if needed'. London head of capital markets Jennifer Tait and head of corporate insurance capital markets Joseph Ferraro are the main practitioners handling a broad range of work from IPOs to high yield and investment grade bond issuance. Tait and associate David Griffiths acted as financing counsel to Platinum Equity and Solenis in the $5.25bn acquisition of Clearon, which included the issuance of $325m in high yield notes.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – mid-large cap Tier 4

Praised by clients for its 'pragmatic approach' and 'responsive and effective service’, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is also noted for the strength of its securities offering, particularly in relation to US law aspects. The team's advice includes offerings by public companies, the issuances of high-yield and investment grade bonds, and common and preferred stock in the UK, US and foreign markets. Jennifer Tait and Joseph Ferraro co-lead the team.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 4

'A commercially driven team which gets things done', Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is regularly engaged by a number of sponsors for assistance with big-ticket transactions. Practice head Gavin Gordon is the key relationship partner for a number of the team's leading clients, who turn to Gordon for his expertise in cross-border matters with a European or transatlantic aspect. David Arnold is a seasoned PE partner who regularly handles strategic buy and sell-side mandates, while Claire McDaid's expertise is notably concentrated in distressed transactions. Other active advisers include Philip Coletto, who often works on deals involving tech or financial services assets, and Andrew Gray, who regularly works with a range of established US and UK firms.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: civil Tier 4

A US-headquartered firm, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is naturally active on matters intersecting the US and UK, though also leverages its Paris, Frankfurt and Milan offices to act on Pan-European mandates. The practice, which is home to civil, regulatory, criminal and advisory services, is led by Peter Burrell  who leverages a notable track record in High Court, FCA and SFO investigations, among others.

Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 4

Often working alongside its corporate team, and in collaboration with the firm's Paris and Frankfurt offices, Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP‘s debt finance practice continues to gain traction among private equity sponsors/portfolio companies, which appreciate the firm’s deep knowledge of financing structures throughout the capital structure, as well as its ability to draw on its strong international resources. In addition to private equity work Ashley Young also handles some lender mandates for credit funds and heads a team that was afforded further bench strength following the arrival of leveraged finance expert Daniel Gendron from Linklaters LLP in August 2022.

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 4

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP's practice is noted for handling a myriad of issues involving private equity fund formation, single asset funds, LP side representation and secondary transactions. The team is led by secondaries specialist Solomon Wifa, who has experience handling transactions involving multiple jurisdictions including China, sub-Saharan Africa, India, Turkey, and Central and Eastern Europe. Regulatory expert Henrietta de Salis and the 'commercial and organised' Colin Fulton, who primarily advises private investment fund sponsors, are also core members of the team.

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 5

Trusted by an array of blue-chip corporate clients, the competition group at Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP possesses the capabilities to provide assistance on multi-jurisdictional merger control matters, compliance reviews, and abuse of dominance inquires. The firm boasts an extensive network of international offices, and in recent months, the London practice continues to gain significant traction in the competition market. European practice head Philipp Girardet is recommended for his expertise in complex merger and cartel matters. Rahul Saha leads the merger arbitrage practice in London and is noted for his focus on merger control and foreign investment maters.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP houses 'an impressive team with expertise in managing complex disputes'. The practice's expertise covers shareholder disputes, fraud cases, restructuring litigation, and insurance-related cases. It also has notable cross-border litigation credentials, particularly in relation to parallel UK-US matters. Peter Burrell focuses on complex cross-border matters, along with disputes involving financial fraud, securities, insider dealing, tax evasion, and financial reporting issues; and Simon Osborn-King is 'a highly talented lawyer'. Recently elevated partner Jerry Healy acts in a range of commercial disputes, while the experience of associate Giles Harvey also incorporates large-scale commercial litigation cases.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 7

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP's 'smart, creative team' is experienced in disputes under the ICC, LCIA, SCC, SCAI and UNCITRAL rules. The practice also acts in ad hoc arbitrations. Duncan Speller is the global co-chair of the firm's international arbitration group, while Dharshini Prasad is 'a very intelligent' counsel.