Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP Offices
CITYPOINT
ONE ROPEMAKER STREET
LONDON
EC2Y 9HR
England
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finance > High yield Tier 2
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP has a stellar reputation in New York law deals, in which it predominantly acts for corporate issuers in high-value bond offerings, though it is starting to handle a growing workload for underwriters. The firm has 'very strong technical and commercial knowledge of the market'. London managing partner Philip Boeckman and co-head of the EMEA capital markets practice George Stephanakis lead the high yield group, in which key partner Alyssa Caples has 'very strong knowledge, is always available, and manages transactions quietly and efficiently'. European counsel Margaret Rallings also plays a pivotal role in some of the firm's largest deals. Boeckman and Rallings acted for the initial purchasers of an €850m offering of 144A/Reg. S high yield senior secured notes offering for Loarre Investments, a portfolio company of CVC Funds, to fund the company's investment in LaLiga in exchange for an interest in media and TV rights. Caples assisted INEOS Finance with the offering of €400m and $425m in high yield senior secured notes.Practice head(s):
Philip Boeckman; George Stephanakis
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Very strong technical and commercial knowledge of the market.’
‘Alyssa Caples – very strong knowledge, always available, manages transactions quietly and efficiently.’
Key clients
Burford Capital
Casino Group
Goldstory
INEOS
Lion Capital
NH Hotel Group
Picard Groupe
Premier Foods
Sappi
Various Financial Institutions
Work highlights
- Represented the initial purchasers in the €850million high-yield senior secured notes offering by CVC to finance its partnership with LaLiga.
- Represented INEOS in its €400million and$425million high-yield senior secured notes offering.
- Represented the initial purchasers in the €272.5 million high-yield senior secured notes offering to refinance, in part, the bridge facility financing the acquisition of Hunkemöller by leading Dutch investors, including Parcom and Opportunity Partners.
Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3
Clients praise the capital markets team at Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP for its 'availability, profound legal knowledge, and practical approach'. The firm is best known for its high yield work, though it also investment grade bond issuance for corporates and sovereigns. Co-heads of the EMEA capital markets practice Philip Boeckman has 'a very good understanding of clients' needs', and George Stephanakis are the key partners. European counsel Lawrence Verhelst, who acts for corporate and sovereign issuers and financial institutions, has 'very solid US law knowledge and a practical approach to solving legal issues'. Boeckman and Verhelst recently acted for European Investment Bank in six registered notes offerings with a total value of $25bn, including a $5bn Climate Awareness Bond and a $4bn Sustainability Awareness Bond.Practice head(s):
Philip Boeckman; George Stephanakis
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Philip Boeckman has very good economic understanding and understanding of client needs; he has the experience and practical approach to solve legal issues.’
‘Lawrence Verhelst has a very good understanding of the client environment and circumstances; very solid US law knowledge; he always takes a practical approach to solve legal issues.’
‘Very high level of partner involvement – they are very familiar with the specific issues relevant in the various European countries.’
‘We work with Philip Boeckman on a regular basis. What makes him outstanding is his quick understanding of questions at hand and his low key, emphatic way how to explain issues to clients and getting parties to agree.’
Key clients
British American Tobacco
Casino Group
European Investment Bank
Prosus
RELX Capital
Sappi
Work highlights
- Represented the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) in six registered notes offerings totalling $25 billion since January 2022.
- Represented B.A.T Capital Corporation and B.A.T. International Finance p.l.c. in three registered notes offerings totalling $3.1 billion.
- Represented RELX Capital Inc. in its $500 million registered notes offering.
Finance > Acquisition finance
Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans
United States > Intellectual property > Patents: litigation (full coverage)
United States > Finance > Financial services regulation
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP’s bank regulatory offering is led by David Portilla, and handles matters encompassing matters relating to banking, cryptoasset, digital currency and M&A transactions. The firm’s reach was further enhanced by the opening of a new office in Washington DC led by Jelena McWilliams, who joined in July 2022 from her previous role as the chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. In August 2022, Elad Roisman joined the firm from the SEC, bringing with him extensive knowledge of reporting and disclosure obligations and corporate governance.Practice head(s):
David Portilla
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Government experience & ability to understand and adapt to the client’s specific needs. Also availability to deal with any type of problem with thoughtful advice.‘
Key clients
Afterpay
Cowen
Credit Suisse
Dfinity
ECN
Financial Services Forum
GreenSky
Morgan Stanley
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
Silicon Valley Bank
Texas Capital Bancshares
Westpac
Work highlights
- Advising to Cowen in connection with its pending $1.9bn acquisition by TD Bank.
- Advising Texas Capital Bank in connection with the $3.4bn sale of BankDirect Capital Finance to Truist.
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP > Firm Profile
Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is widely recognised as one of the preeminent law firms in the world. Each of its practices is highly regarded and its lawyers are recognised for their commitment to the representation of their clients’ interests.
The firm: Founded in 1819, Cravath provides legal advice to companies located around the world. The firm has a rich, century-long legacy of commitment to Europe and has maintained a dedicated London office and team, one of the largest contingents of US lawyers in the city, since 1973. Our international finance practice encompasses English law-qualified lawyers who advise on the English law aspects of UK and cross-border financings.
Types of work undertaken: Cravath’s London office is uniquely positioned to advise on the full spectrum of leveraged financings, including high-yield bond offerings and direct lending, syndicated loan and other types of acquisition financing transactions, as well as restructurings and distressed financings. Our international bank and bond practice is one of the most highly regarded in the world and the Firm has consistently ranked at or near the top since market inception.
We regularly advise corporate issuers and borrowers, investment banks, financial sponsors and alternative lenders on a wide range of high-yield, bridge and other bespoke debt financings, including many offerings by first-time issuers and some of the most complex or novel transactions. Our lawyers have handled many of the initial high-yield bond financings in Europe, as well as many significant recent leveraged bank financings. We have introduced innovations such as the standard intercreditor provisions used in Europe, loan options in lieu of bond financings, “all-bond” structures and the first toggle notes used in Europe.
Other offices: New York, Washington, D.C.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Presiding Partner | Faiza J Saeed | ||
Managing Partner of London Office, Co‑Head of the Capital Markets Practice for EMEA | Philip J Boeckman | ||
Co‑Head of the Capital Markets Practice for EMEA | George A Stephanakis |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Mr Philip Boeckman | Philip J. Boeckman is a partner in Cravath’s Corporate Department and serves… | View Profile | |
Mr Roberto Bruno | Roberto Bruno focuses his practice on cross‑border, sophisticated and high‑profile debt (including high‑yield)… | View Profile | |
Ms Alyssa Caples | Alyssa K. Caples is a partner in Cravath’s Corporate Department, focusing on… | View Profile | |
Mr Korey Fevzi | Korey Fevzi is a partner in Cravath’s Corporate Department. Mr. Fevzi advises… | View Profile | |
Mr Jackson Lam | Jackson Lam focuses his practice on complex cross‑border leveraged transactions, syndicated lending… | View Profile | |
Ms Nicoleta Lupea | Nicoleta D. Lupea focuses her practice primarily on advising clients in mergers… | View Profile | |
Ms Virginie Marier | Virginie Marier focuses her practice on capital markets transactions, including cross‑border high‑yield… | View Profile | |
Ms Margaret Rallings | Margaret R. M. Rallings serves as European counsel in Cravath’s Corporate Department.… | View Profile | |
Mr George Stephanakis | George A. Stephanakis is a partner in Cravath’s Corporate Department and serves… | View Profile | |
Mr Philip Stopford | Philip Stopford is a partner in Cravath’s Corporate Department. He focuses his… | View Profile | |
Mr Lawrence Verhelst | Lawrence J. Verhelst serves as European counsel in Cravath’s Corporate Department. He… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
:Comparative Guides
-
United States: Bribery & Corruption
Published: June 2023
Authors: John D. Buretta
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Bribery & Corruption laws and regulations applicable in United States.
-
United States: Litigation
Published: July 2023
Authors: Timothy G. Cameron
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Litigation laws and regulations applicable in United States.
-
United States: Blockchain
Published: November 2023
Authors: David J. KapposD. Scott BennettMichael E. MarianiSasha Rosenthal-LarreaArvind RavichandranRyan J. Patrone
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Blockchain laws and regulations applicable in United States.
-
United States: Mergers & Acquisitions
Published: March 2024
Authors: Richard HallDaniel J. Cerqueira
This country-specific Q&A provides an overview of Mergers & Acquisitions laws and regulations applicable in United States.
-
Post-Crispo World
Published: April 2024
Authors: Richard Hall Daniel J. Cerqueira
- Finance > High yield