Bayo Odubeko > Norton Rose Fulbright > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Drawing upon its broader corporate finance/private equity credentials, as well as being able to avail itself of a multi-disciplinary approach whch feeds into regulatory and IP expertise, in particular, Norton Rose Fulbright has strong credentials among investors and investees in relation to venture capital and growth equity mandates. Fintech/insurtech is a particular sector strength, an area that the firm is able to add value by virtue, not only of its transactional strength in the area but also its regulatory knowledge. Global head of the fintech practice Sean Murphy is particularly well-suited to advise both funds and start-ups in the sector and is able to draw upon a deep well of experience in the space, including during a period spent in Silicon Valley with a leading US law firm. Emerging markets venture capital work is also a strength, an area that Bayo Odubeko is particularly adept, primarily in relation to Africa-based mandates. Victoria Birch and Sophie O’Connor co-head the team.

Steered by EMEA head Raj Karia, Norton Rose Fulbright‘s ‘outstanding’ team is well regarded for the depth of its international network and capabilities in big-ticket transactions – most notably in the energy space. Global banking head Alan Bainbridge works with a number of financial institutions on strategic deals, with noteworthy recent engagements related to the aviation and infrastructure sectors. Paul Whitelock – who co-chairs the public M&A group – and the ‘brilliant’ Kit McCarthy are recommended for their expertise in LSE Main Market and AIM takeovers, while the ‘fantastic’ Jon Perry’s capabilities are concentrated in food, commodities, and mining. A host of issuers and investment banks regularly turn to Fiona Millington for assistance in cross-border sponsor transactions, whereas Bayo Odubeko is a key port of call for high-value emerging market deals across the worlds of oil and gas, financial services, and telecoms.

Norton Rose Fulbright has a broad private equity practice in London, which is regularly leverages the wider firm’s expertise in the insurance sector to handle transactions and fundraisings involving companies in this market. Nicholas Berry has a particular focus on the insurance sector, while practice co-head Sophie O’Connor also handles insurance-related deals alongside acting for funds and management teams on a range of PE matters. Fellow co-head Bayo Odubeko is noted for his focus on emerging markets. David Marshall left in early 2022 forBaker Botts (UK) LLP.