Mr Guy Palmaers > Loyens & Loeff > Luxembourg, Luxembourg > Lawyer Profile

Applying a ‘practical and business-oriented approach,’ Loyens & Loeff has ‘deep expertise in thinking through complex M&A projects.’ Drawing upon strong relationships with UK and US referring law firms, as well as directly from large financial sponsors, much of this work relates to private equity-led M&A matters, where the firm adds a degree of continuity on the downstream investment front, having often previously also handled the underlying fund structuring. Mathilde Lattard is active on both the upstream and downstream elements of private equity work. This fluid approach is also demonstrated by the firm’s work within the SPAC arena, where having been involved in many original SPAC listings, the team has then handled many of the subsequent de-SPAC business combinations. Here, Guy Palmaers, who is lauded for his ‘exceptional strategic thinking,’ has developed particular experience, work which he handles alongside his more conventional sponsor-side M&A work. Michael Scott is regularly instructed by bondholder creditors, as well as debtors. Frédéric Franckx heads the team and is noted for his US and UK-related private equity work, including advice on bolt-on transactions and public-to-privates. Ana Andreiana, who was promoted to partner at the beginning of 2023, is also recommended.

Active throughout the life cycle of a transaction from initial fund setup through to investments and exits, the ‘knowledgeable’ multi-disciplinary team at Loyens & Loeff provides ‘commercially-oriented and pragmatic advice’ to an impressive roster of global sponsors on the Luxembourg law aspects of cross-border mandates, where it often works alongside high-profile UK and US-based referring law firms. The ‘outstanding’ Guy Palmaers exhibits ‘exceptional strategic thinking and a business-oriented approach’, both on the acquisition and sale side (including through IPO exits), as well as in the context of ongoing operational work including advice on management incentive plans. Dual UK and Luxembourg-qualified partner Michael Scott regularly handles private equity-related restructuring work, including for portfolio companies in financial distress as well as in relation to distressed M&A for fund clients. Mathilde Lattard’s wide skillset in the sector ensures she is adept at handling fund setups and subsequent M&A activity, as well as co-investment strategies and exits. Siobhán McCarthy, who is noted for her aptitude in providing ‘practical and actionable advice’, Ana Andreiana and recent hire Frédéric Lemoine excel in handling cross-border private equity-related M&A matters and form a vital part of the Frédéric Franckx-headed private equity transactional team.