Raj Karia > Norton Rose Fulbright > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Cross-border deals represent a significant focus of the equity capital markets team at Norton Rose Fulbright, which leverages its ‘wide geographical footprint’ to handle a large volume of primary and secondary listings, de-SPACs, and takeover deals across the UK and US as well as in EMEA growth markets. In addition to working with a wide roster of FTSE-listed clients, the team stands out in particular for its bookrunner-side offering, which sees it advising the likes of J.P. Morgan and HSBC on asset manager M&A as well as on fundraisings for companies in the mining and tech sectors. Raj Karia heads up the team and is well-versed in international ECM transactions, while Richard Sheen is noted for his close relationships with fund and asset manager clients and Fiona Millington handles a large volume of equity issuances and public M&A.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s globally networked team is well-equipped to handle a steady workload of domestic and international securities exchanges and fundraises, notably including its recent advice to Dar Global on its direct listing on the LSE Main Market. The practice actively advises both underwriters as well as issuers, particularly in the real estate and tech sectors, and it is particularly noted for its ability to provide advice on equity issuances in EMEA growth markets. Raj Karia is a key contact for this line of work, while Thomas Vita stands out for his US securities expertise. Fiona Millington is a key contact for domestic fundraises and public M&A.

Norton Rose Fulbright advises across the full life cycle of mining projects. With its ‘strong knowledge of the mining industry’, the team strives to be at the forefront of developments within the mining industry, with strength in matters relating to non-traditional sources of funding, critical minerals, and the energy transition. The team is led by Martin McCann, who specialises in debt financing. Raj Karia has a wealth of experience advising companies and investment banks on M&A, equity capital markets, joint ventures, and restructuring transactions. Daniel Metcalfe is knowledgeable in advising lenders and borrowers on complex cross-border finance transactions in emerging markets. The ‘intelligent, diligent and efficient’ Felicity Brown advises on project finance and alternative finance transactions with a particular focus on offtake transactions and private capital into mining.

Norton Rose Fulbright houses a ‘knowledgeable and hardworking’ team, noted for its ability to handle cross-border M&A transactions for clients across the financial services, technology, energy and healthcare sectors. The practice is chaired by Raj Karia, who has a wealth of experience advising companies and investment banks on M&A, joint ventures and restructuring transactions. Praised for his ‘very thorough, pragmatic and unflappable approach‘, Charez Golvala is noted for his focus on transactions in emerging markets. Paul Whitelock co-chairs the public M&A group and is recommended for his on public M&A and capital markets transactions, while Stephen Rigby earns praise for his ‘pragmatic advice and support.’

‘Highly professional, pragmatic with a global reach‘, Norton Rose Fulbright is truly embedded in emerging markets work for major corporates, borrowers, sponsors, investment banks, government bodies, ECAs, multi-laterals and off-takers. Leveraging its extensive global network of offices, the firm is prominent in mining, oil and gas, power and renewables, infrastructure development, and commodity trading in jurisdictions across Africa, the Middle East and CIS region and Latin America. Martin McCann, who has extensive experience in infrastructure, mining, commodities and project finance, is head of the London emerging markets group. Madhavi Gosavi and Daniel Metcalfe are key advisers on the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects, and Charles Whitney handles project financings involving ECAs, particularly in the CIS region, Central Asia and the Middle East. Corporate partners Raj Karia, who is part of the firm’s mining and minerals practice, and Bayo Odubeko are among the many partners keenly focused on emerging markets work.