Asset based lending Tier 1

Leveraging the firm's strong international credentials, particularly from the US, Mayer Brown International LLP's 'incredibly capable and talented' asset based lending (ABL) team has a focus on handling sophisticated cross-border mandates for funds, banks, sponsors and corporates. Able to draw from the expertise of a very well-integrated and fluid general banking and finance practice in London, the firm remains particularly well-suited to advising on bespoke and often heavily structured mandates, where the ABL portion of debt forms a part of an overall financing structure that includes other financing techniques throughout the capital structure. Dominic Griffiths' practice is emblematic of the firm's ability to combine expertise across the structured finance, ABL and acquisition finance segments of the market to provide a very compelling service to many of the most sophisticated stakeholders in the market. Praised for his 'technical insight combined with commercial pragmatism', Alex Dell co-heads the team alongside Griffiths and has 'a depth of knowledge and experience to meet the sophisticated needs of large corporates'. Senior associate Ravi Amin  is also recommended.

Commercial property: corporate occupiers Tier 1

Commercial property: investment Tier 1

Power (including electricity, nuclear and renewables)

Mining and minerals Tier 1

Mayer Brown International LLP has a well-established global presence in the mining sector and advises on mining-related project developments and advisory work, M&A, construction issues, financing structures and litigation. The firm has a broad client base and acts for leading names in the market including Sumitomo Metals as well as junior mining companies including Toro Gold. A notable recent highlight included providing counsel on mining development to the Government of Oman. Ian Coles heads up the firm's mining and Africa practices, and co-heads the project finance group; clients claim he has 'strong problem-solving skills'. Also recommended is Rachel Speight, who represents banks and sponsors in cross-border structured and project financings.

Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 2

Mayer Brown International LLP attracts praise for its 'exceptional depth of knowledge of financial products and banking litigation'. The team has the ability to handle a range of domestic and cross-border issues, with expertise spanning derivatives, securitisation and commodities disputes to fraud, financial crime, cybersecurity and data protection litigation. Practice head Ian McDonald focuses on disputes relating to loan structures, structured finance and derivatives, while Alistair Graham is particularly strong for regulatory and fraud investigations, white-collar work and international asset tracing. The group also benefits from the expertise of Susan Rosser, who 'knows the banking and financial services sector inside out'; Mark Stefanini and Chris Chapman, who have particular experience in multi-jurisdictional disputes and contentious regulatory issues respectively, and counsel Ruth Malone whose experience includes advising financial institutions in fraud, mis-selling and misrepresentation claims.

Commercial property: development Tier 2

Construction: contentious Tier 2

Mayer Brown International LLP's team is 'strong, has an attractive culture and is commercially effective', and is headed up by the highly experienced Michael Regan. The practice represents contractors, construction professionals and governments, with sector expertise which extends to process engineering, transport, mining and retail. Regan has advised on claims relating to defects and poor workmanship alongside his deep experience in international arbitration. London managing partner Sally Davies has two prime areas of focus; construction-related insurance matters and all forms of construction disputes, with a notable emphasis on Korean clients. James Morris is noted as being 'very knowledgeable', acting for consultants, insurers and employers. Kwadwo Sarkodie has acted on disputes concerning loss and expense and defective works while Jonathan Stone advises on professional indemnity claims.

Derivatives and structured products Tier 2

Emerging markets Tier 2

Employers Tier 2

Energy and infrastructure Tier 2

Mayer Brown International LLP has a full service offering across mining and natural resources project development, cross border M&A and fundraising work and is able to offer clients a broad geographic reach. Ian Coles represents banks, sponsors, governments and other participants in mining transactions, and has acted alongside Robert Hamill, Rachel Speight and Jonathan Hosie in advising Sumitomo on its $1.2bn acquisition of a 30% interest in the Teck-owned Quebrada Blanca Copper Project in Chile. Bob Palmer is the lead partner for oil and gas work.

Equity capital markets - low-mid cap Tier 2

Led by Kate Ball-Dodd, Mayer Brown International LLP's team acts for corporate issuers and underwriters on their most sophisticated UK and multijurisdictional transactions. The group advises clients from a multitude of industries, including the banking, construction, energy, technology, metals and mining and technology sectors. In 2019, highlights included Colin Scagell, Rebecca Bothamley and senior associate Harriet Hainsworth acting for Peel Hunt and Panmure Gordon as joint bookrunners on a £10m cash box placing by Blancco Technologies; the firm also advised Promotora de Informaciones SA (Prisa) on a $200m rights offering. Although most of the practitioners in the London team primarily advise on English law matters, a number of individuals have US securities law expertise, including Robert Flanigan.

Fintech Tier 2

Fund finance Tier 2

Mayer Brown International LLP advises clients on a variety of fund structures and financing arrangements, including asset-backed financings and subscription and hybrid facilities. The team works with a number of major international fund sponsors, managers, lead agents and institutional investors, with integrated regulatory support contributing to its advisory capabilities. The team is jointly led by Paul Tannenbaum, who works with a number of fund classes, secondary parties and lenders on acquisition and leveraged finance matters and subscription facilities; and Aimee Sharman, who joined from Hogan Lovells International LLP in late 2019 and has an excellent track record in acting for lenders and borrowers in complex fund financing matters, including mandates involving cross-border arrangements and alternative funding structures.

Pensions (non-contentious) Tier 2

Pensions disputes head Stuart Pickford and insurance chief Will Glassey are the key names for contentious pensions matters in Mayer Brown International LLP's London office. Areas covered include: ombudsman complaints, High Court litigation, regulatory investigations, document rectification and overpayments. The firm's 'excellent' team also handles professional negligence claims, judicial review proceedings, investor group actions and applications for injunctions. Non-contentious work is led by Jay Doraisamy and Ian Wright, who offer expertise in benefit redesign and integrated investment. Clients can also draw on the firm's expertise in ring-fencing requirements and the UK implications of US Chapter 11 proceedings. The team has a strong record of work for clients drawn from the electricity, energy and financial services industries, while the team also recently advised the trustees of the Mothercare Staff Pension Scheme on the transfer of scheme liabilities following the company's administration. Other recommended personnel include Duncan Watson, Richard Evans, Edward Jewitt and Andrew Block.

Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 2

Professional negligence Tier 2

Mayer Brown International LLP exhibits ‘excellence throughout the whole team’ in advising on claims against firms in the legal, construction, accountancy and property sectors. The practice is particularly strong in advising the legal profession and handles claims for magic circle firms, barristers, and their insurers. Practice head William Glassey has a focus on defending claims against professionals including solicitors, barristers, pensions actuaries and property professionals. Michael Regan leads the construction and engineering group in London and advises on claims involving defects in design and workmanship, programming, delays and quantum. Sally Davies, the firm's London managing partner, has a long history of defending chartered surveyors and valuers against claims of negligent valuation. Jim Oulton is recommended for his work for insolvency practitioners, accountants and auditors.

Property finance Tier 2

Securitisation Tier 2

Trade finance Tier 2

'We appreciate the team's availability and professionalism and its knowledge of the market,' remarks a client of Mayer Brown International LLP, which climbs the ranking this year. Working predominantly for banks, though increasingly for funds, corporates and fintech companies, the practice frequently advises on complex global receivables finance structures including borrowing base facilities. Its recent work includes documenting off-balance sheet receivables purchase facilities in relation to receivables originated in Australia, Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Romania, South Korea and the UAE. Its involvement in export and agency finance, as well as structured trade and commodity finance, has continued to grow thanks to the in-depth experience of practice head Alex Dell, who is also co-head of the firm's asset-based lending group, and Ashley McDermott, who has a strong track record in trade finance and emerging markets transactions. Up-and-coming partner Charles Thain is also noted for receivables and supply chain finance transactions.

Commercial litigation: premium Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP's 'pragmatic, responsive and business-oriented' commercial litigation team handles a range of complex cross-border disputes for its impressive roster of clients. Its experience spans several sectors including finance, manufacturing, telecoms, consumer products, energy and media and the team 'can draw resources from various fields of practice, working seamlessly'. The group is led by Ian McDonald , who focuses on financial services sector litigation, and includes 'top-notch' litigator Miles Robinson who attracts praise for his 'astute judgement' and Stuart Pickford, who specialises in commercial trusts and pensions litigation. Other names to note include Alistair Graham for white collar crime and fraud disputes, Mark Stefanini for financing disputes, warranty claims and other post-acquisition litigation, and counsel Dan Hart , who focuses on disputes with cross-border elements, including foreign parallel proceedings and international enforcement.

Construction: non-contentious Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP advises clients in the energy, engineering, transport, mining and waste sectors on a broad array of transactional construction matters. The team is headed up by Michael Regan and Jonathan Olson-Welsh. They act both domestically and internationally on large development and project transactions. The 'attentive and knowledgeable' Olson-Welsh has also been involved in mining projects around the world. Jonathan Hosie provides advice on procurement and project documentation.

Debt capital markets Tier 3

A major portion of Mayer Brown International LLP's mandates have a US dimension and the firm is also highly active in matters involving emerging markets. Its recent work included handling the establishment and update of the first ever Global MTN programmes and global mortgage-covered bond programmes for Turkish financial institutions. The team has a diverse practice across the full spectrum of debt instruments, which range from investment grade debt to emerging markets bond issuances. It also frequently acts for Canadian entities in sterling or dollar-denominated bond issues. One of the lead partners is James Taylor, who is prominent in debt deals in Turkey. Another key figure is Robert Flanigan, who is triple-qualified in England, New York and France. Also recommended is Bernd Bohr, who handles a wide variety of capital markets, leveraged finance and corporate matters in Europe.

EU and competition: trade, WTO anti-dumping and customs Tier 3

The London-based team at Mayer Brown International LLP comprises of US and UK-qualified practitioners with specialist expertise in export controls and sanctions. The department, which is a part of the firm’s government and global trade group, also handles complex trade remedy investigations, and EU and international customs. Practice head Jason Hungerford has experience of the defence, oil and gas, mining, heavy machinery and engineering sectors. Senior associate Paul Whitfield-Jones is also recommended.

Financial services: contentious Tier 3

Described by one client as a  ‘powerhouse in commercial and financial services litigation’ Mayer Brown International LLP has experience in cross-border and domestic contentious regulatory matters, including sanctions, anti-bribery, money laundering and contentious regulatory insurance coverage issues. Susan Rosser focuses on disputes involving financial institutions, asset managers and investment advisers, particularly regulatory investigations, enforcement, anti-money laundering and corporate investigations. She co-leads the practice with Alistair Graham, who is known for advising on regulatory investigations, fraud and global asset tracing. The team was boosted in 2019 by the arrival of Chris Chapman from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, who brings expertise in internal and external investigations, as well as domestic and cross-border transactions.

High yield Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP advises on English, US and German law aspects of high yield bonds, focusing particularly on issuance in the German market. In Germany, the firm has a track record for innovative, market-first high yield financings, and it has a large number of repeat issuers among its clients, including Progroup and Wepa. Practice head Bernd Bohr 'has a deep knowledge of the legal and technical aspects of the high yield bond market and is one of the key lawyers in the German high yield market'. Robert (Rob) Flanigan, who frequently acts for issuers and underwriters in Rule 144A/Regulation S private placements and SEC-registered offerings, also handles high yield bond issues.

Hospitality and leisure Tier 3

Insurance and reinsurance litigation Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP's insurance practice handles international insurance disputes for insurers and reinsurers. The practice is led by William Glassey, who is experienced in the full range of insurance matters, and also includes D&O specialist Jim Oulton. Since his promotion to the partnership in 2019, James Whittaker has also been active in D&O disputes, in addition to handling professional liability and political risk claims.

Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP is active across the spectrum of non-contentious insurance mandates including transactions, risk transfers and the establishment of new reinsurers. The team is also involved in work pertaining to insolvencies involving insurers and brokers. The practice is led by Devi Shah and Colin Scagell; Shah leads on insolvencies and restructurings, while Scagell handles transactional work. Rebecca Bothamley is valued by clients for her knowledge of transactional liability issues.

IT and telecoms Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP specialises in outsourcing and technology transactions, and cybersecurity and data privacy matters. The firm has strong financial services sector experience, particularly advising clients on cloud arrangements. Fintech and insurtech are also key areas of expertise for the practice. The team is jointly led by Mark Prinsley, who advises technology-based businesses on a range of matters, and assists customers with all stages of outsourcing transactions; Andrew Stewart, who focuses on complex commercial transactions; and Richard Page, who handles TMT sector M&A work.

Media and entertainment (including media finance) Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP has been particularly active in advising on media and entertainment sector M&A, where it is instructed on high-profile transactions. Robert Hamill, who advises on corporate transactions and finance matters, is a key contact, as is corporate and securities partner Rebecca Bothamley. The team is particularly adept at handling cross-border matters, particularly with elements in the US, and benefits from the ability to leverage its strong IP and regulatory teams in the UK and abroad, including in Brussels. For contentious work, practice head Miles Robinson is a name to note.

Oil and gas Tier 3

Bob Palmer and Robert Hamill jointly lead the team at Mayer Brown International LLP, which focuses on cross-border M&A. fundraising issues, projects and commercial contracts in the oil and gas space, particularly in the upstream sector. Key clients include household oil, gas and energy companies, mid-caps and start-ups, as well as service companies, banks and government organisations. Palmer and senior associate Tom Mallalieu advise on significant development projects in the upstream and midstream sectors in emerging economies.

Pensions: dispute resolution Tier 3

Pensions disputes head Stuart Pickford and insurance chief Will Glassey are the key names for contentious pensions matters in Mayer Brown International LLP's London office. Areas covered include: ombudsman complaints, High Court litigation, regulatory investigations, document rectification and overpayments. The firm's 'excellent' team also handles professional negligence claims, judicial review proceedings, investor group actions and applications for injunctions. Non-contentious work is led by Jay Doraisamy and Ian Wright, who offer expertise in benefit redesign and integrated investment. Clients can also draw on the firm's expertise in ring-fencing requirements and the UK implications of US Chapter 11 proceedings. The team has a strong record of work for clients drawn from the electricity, energy and financial services industries, while the team also recently advised the trustees of the Mothercare Staff Pension Scheme on the transfer of scheme liabilities following the company's administration. Other recommended personnel include Duncan Watson, Richard Evans, Edward Jewitt and Andrew Block.

Product liability: defendant Tier 3

The team at Mayer Brown International LLP covers a wide range of mandates, from crisis management and risk advisory work to handling claims on behalf of manufacturers and insurers. It is also noted for its close collaboration with other practice groups, including the corporate team on transactional due diligence, as well as with its international offices. The group has notable expertise in product liability matters in connection with construction claims, including in relation to designs involving pipework, valves, pumps and cladding. Team head Miles Robinson is also well versed in group actions. Other prominent practitioners include Mark Stefanini and James Morris.

VAT and indirect tax Tier 3

Mayer Brown International LLP's team focuses on tax planning and structuring advice. It assists clients with VAT and SDLT issues arising from real estate transactions, cross-border VAT issues connected with financial services transactions and insurance premium tax issues. James Hill leads the group, which includes funds expert Simon Rose.

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4

Co-headed by Dominic Griffiths and Alex Dell, who are both known for their ABL and structured finance expertise, in particular, Mayer Brown International LLP's banking and finance team provides flexible debt solutions to lenders and borrowers across a range of syndicated and bilateral new money mandates and refinancings. Aided by a comprehensive international network, which includes practitioners based in other key global financial centres including Hong Kong and New York, much of the team's work is of a multi-jurisdictional nature and often includes UK and US-governed debt products. The arrival in April 2020 of Allen & Overy LLP's former global head of corporate lending Trevor Borthwick is a real statement of intent from the firm and adds significant gravitas to the team in light of his superb credentials in the market.

Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 4

Praised for its ability to 'navigate complex legal situations in a commercial manner', the six-partner team at Mayer Brown International LLP is increasingly well-placed to handle complex, multi-stakeholder restructurings/insolvencies, as a result of a number of recent astute hires in London and its ability to leverage particularly strong US and Asian international resources. The 'unflappable, approachable and determined' Devi Shah has niche expertise handing pensions-related restructuring matters and co-heads the team alongside the 'hugely experienced' Michael Fiddy and Amy Jacks, who have more of a conventional restructuring/insolvency offering on behalf of IPs, banks and funds. The team was strengthened in 2020 with the hire of corporate lending & restructuring partner Trevor Borthwick from Allen & Overy LLP , as well as the arrival of Barry Cosgrave from K&L Gates LLP, where he was EMEA practice coordinator for the restructuring and insolvency group. Partner Jessica Walker left for Latham & Watkins . 

Employee share schemes Tier 4

The 'incredibly knowledgable’ Andrew Stanger heads the equity and incentives plans practice in the UK for Mayer Brown International LLP. The practice is globally coordinated, providing advice on the various laws and regulations affecting incentive plans in different jurisdictions around the world, covering, amongst others, tax, stock exchange rules, exchange control regulations, corporate governance and compliance rules, investor guidelines, trust law and pensions finance. The team has particular expertise in relation to share plans for dual listed companies and UK companies listed on US exchanges.

Environment Tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP assists clients from the oil and gas, energy, health and safety, biotechnology, chemicals, and finance sectors with a diverse range of matters. The team is headed up by Michael Hutchinson, who is an experienced environmental lawyer whose practice covers both non-contentious and contentious matters, including handling the environmental elements of infrastructure transactions and projects, environmental regulations, renewables incentives regimes and emissions trading matters. Another name to note is counsel Tim Baines, who primarily advises companies and financial institutions on ESG and climate change issues.

Equity capital markets - mid-high cap Tier 4

Led by Kate Ball-Dodd, Mayer Brown International LLP's team acts for corporate issuers and underwriters on sophisticated UK and multijurisdictional transactions. It advises clients from a multitude of industries, including the banking, construction, energy, technology, metals and mining and technology sectors. In 2019, highlights included Colin Scagell, Rebecca Bothamley and senior associate Harriet Hainsworth acting for Peel Hunt and Panmure Gordon as joint bookrunners on a £10m cash box placing by Blancco Technologies. While most of the practitioners in the London team primarily advise on English law matters, a number of individuals have US securities law expertise, including Robert Flanigan.

Infrastructure (PFI and PPP) Tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP has a strong international offering for clients in infrastructure, demonstrating a broad range of capabilities in areas including power stations, bridges, dams, roads and more. Practice head Michael Regan displays a high-level of expertise in construction and international arbitration. Jonathan Hosie has a strong background in procurement, while managing partner Sally Davies is an experienced construction litigator.

International arbitration Tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP's London office fields sector specialists in the construction and engineering, energy, mining, telecoms, retail, commodities, shipping and finance industries, among others, and frequently undertakes post-M&A arbitrations. The bulk of the practice's work stems from the Middle East and Africa, but it has also ramped up instructions in Europe. Co-head of the global group Raid Abu-Manneh also leads the London international arbitration group, which fields experienced partners Mark Stefanini, Miles Robinson and Kwadwo Sarkodie. Rachael O’Grady and Sam Prentki are experienced senior associates.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP handles criminal defence and compliance matters. With strong links to the US, the multidisciplinary, cross-border team is well-placed to handle government enforcement matters, criminal investigations and related civil enforcement proceedings. Alistair Graham heads the team. Sam Eastwood is recommended for anti-bribery and regulatory compliance work.

TMT Tier 4

Mayer Brown International LLP provides a range of services to technology, telecoms, internet, media, satellite and broadcasting clients in the UK and internationally. The firm’s advice includes IP, data, transactions and contentious matters. The team is co-led by disputes specialist Miles Robinson, who acts in contractual and commercial claims; Robert Hamill, who focuses on corporate finance, M&A and joint ventures in the media and entertainment industries; and Mark Prinsley, who has experience advising technology-based businesses and assisting customers at all stages of outsourcing transactions. Also notable is senior associate Harriet Hainsworth, who has expertise in corporate matters in the area.

Acquisition finance Tier 5

Under the leadership of Stuart Brinkworth, Mayer Brown International LLP has recalibrated its lender-side acquisition finance offering to focus much more squarely on the credit funds that are dominating the mid-market. While it is less visible on the commercial/investment bank lending front, it is well-equipped to advise traditional lenders on complex and bespoke structured finance mandates by virtue of its ability to draw on the expertise of lawyers based in the firm's market-leading ABL group. On the borrower front, Andrew Crotty regularly handles work for mid-market sponsors.

EU and competition Tier 5

Benefiting from the firm’s foothold across four continents, Mayer Brown International LLP’s competition lawyers act closely with their colleagues in Brussels and Paris on both transactional and behavioural matters. The team excels in merger control matters and investigations, but also counts contentious competition work as another key strength, for which it collaborates with the wider litigation and dispute resolution department. David Harrison leads the practice.

Fraud: civil Tier 5

Mayer Brown International LLP's team handles a wide range of domestic and cross-border fraud claims, with a particular specialism in disputes emerging from insolvency and restructuring issues. Alistair Graham predominantly represents financial institutions and corporates in fraud investigations and asset tracing matters.  Jason Hungerford specialises in investigations involving economic sanctions, anti-corruption and anti-money laundering.

Private funds (including infrastructure funds) Tier 5

Mayer Brown International LLP focuses on alternative and complex fund structures and products, with a notable focus on the pension industry, alongside regular fundraising for private equity houses, start-ups and more established investors and asset managers. The practice collaborates with the firm's regulatory and tax teams to provide integrated support on bespoke fund structuring and operational matters. Tim Nosworthy advises clients on formation, structuring, and transactional matters across, while counsel Duncan Watson has significant experience of pension fund investments.

Corporate tax Tier 6

Mayer Brown International LLP's team often provides a support role on transactions spanning areas such as M&A, capital markets, real estate and finance. In addition, it also advises on specific projects involving tax planning and structuring. The department is led by transactional tax expert James Hill. Chartered tax adviser Simon Rose specialises in advising UK, offshore and international funds in the real estate and private equity arenas. In 2019, Ben Fryer left for Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, although the tax practice was bolstered by the arrival of structured finance and M&A focused practitioner Matthew Mortimer from Milbank. Kitty Swanson, who was promoted to counsel in 2020, is also recommended.

M&A: upper mid-market and premium deals, £500m+ Tier 6

Mayer Brown International LLP's M&A team is known for its work across a broad range of sectors including media and entertainment, consumer goods, mining, insurance, private equity, real estate and energy. Cross-border mandates are common, with the practice having undertaken transactions in Canada, the US, Latin America, South Africa, Australia and Europe. Kate Ball-Dodd leads the London corporate practice and has a broad practice covering both public and private M&A, while Perry Yam heads up the global corporate practice. Robert Hamill is a name to note in the energy and mining sectors.