Frances Watson > Mourant > St Peter Port, Guernsey > Lawyer Profile

Mourant‘s ‘technically excellent’ team advises banks and funds, having overseen a spectrum of refinancing mandates in 2023, and continues to act for private equity clients on downstream acquisition financing. The practice is also increasingly advising clients on their positions regarding pre-enforcement and insolvency matters. Practice head John Rochester handles real estate and asset financing arrangements, with a notable aircraft finance niche. John Lewis brings extensive fund financing experience, and, alongside Frances Watson, acts for funds clients on the restructuring and refinancing of existing facilities. Helen Wyatt is well versed in the regulatory challenges tied to banking and finance transactions, while Alana Gillies Ridout‘s practice encompasses real estate and fund financing.

The ‘engaging and thorough practitioners’ at Mourant support clients undertaking IPOs on exchanges including TISE, the LSE and NYSE, among others, and are also able to advise on the listing of a variety of bond and note programs. The practice is led by John Rochester and is noted for its expertise in assisting listed funds. It is frequently called upon by private equity funds when doing capital markets deals, with Darren Bacon taking the lead on such transactions. Frances Watson assists funds with their listing on various exchanges and subsequent transactions.

Mourant‘s ‘commercial approach’ gives it an edge in overseeing a broad range of transactions. The team is a primary choice for a number of clients in the fiduciary and insurance sectors engaged in M&A or consolidation deals. Under the leadership of John Rochester, the practice additionally handles the property aspects of corporate transactions, and advises on reorganisation programs. Frances Watson advises on a broad range of commercial and regulatory matters, with John Lewis handling private M&A and transactions initiated by family offices. Alana Gillies Ridout complements her M&A practice with additional expertise in competition law and commercial contracts.

Mourant assists clients operating a range of investment structures, targeting a broad spectrum of asset classes, including private equity, venture capital, and technology funds, among others. Under John Rochester‘s stewardship, the practice advises managers, including listed funds, on a variety of financing arrangements, with Darren Bacon also assisting with capital markets transactions. Frances Watson specialises in advising listed and private equity funds in addition to family offices on the launch of new investment vehicles, while James Cousins, who made partner in August 2023, maintains a broad practice covering the lifecycle of hedge funds and other alternative investment structures.