Jan Mellmann > Watson Farley & Williams LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Advising listed companies, investment banks, nomads and brokers, Watson Farley & Williams LLP has a track record in AIM-related matters, notably IPOs and related pre-IPO financing, secondary placings, rights issuances, takeovers, private placements and M&A, as well as corporate governance matters. The firm’s sector expertise lies in the transport, energy and natural resources industries. Practice head Chris Kilburn has particular experience in AIM transactions while corporate specialist Jan Mellmann covers the spectrum of capital markets advice.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP handles a range of cross-border deals utilising its international network for support. Its key areas of focus include M&A, equity capital markets, debt and project finance, and dispute resolution. Jan Mellmann heads the team which was recently bolstered by the arrival of  Julian Nichol and Ryan Ayrton from Akin Gump LLP and Linklaters LLP respectively.

Watson Farley & Williams LLP has ‘a friendly team with the ability to advise on a range of trade finance matters across different commodity areas, providing consistently strong service levels‘. The firm frequently advises banks, trading houses and independent companies on transactions in the commodity and upstream finance space. It is particularly strong in the energy sector, due to its experience in mining, metals, soft commodities, oil and gas and other relevant markets. Lead partner Joe Levin is ‘a solution-focused and adaptable finance partner with trade finance expertise across numerous jurisdictions, and he takes a commercial approach to help ensure deals close‘. Senior associate Jordan Joannides is another name to note. Head of the mining and commodities group Jan Mellmann and head of the global oil and gas practice Chris Kilburn are heavily involved in the practice.