Mr Alex Dell > Mayer Brown International LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘very experienced and well balanced’ team at Mayer Brown International LLP provides ‘solutions-oriented and commercial’ advice to a bank-focused client base across a range of syndicated and bilateral new money mandates and refinancings. The firm’s versatility across a range of products (including asset based lending and structured finance) and jurisdictions is a key strength, ensuring that it provides ‘very clear/strong transaction leadership and advice through complex situations’. Appreciated for his ability to ‘balance different stakeholders’ needs‘, Trevor Borthwick is an excellent resource to both creditors and debtors on new money corporate lending transactions, as well as in a restructuring/distressed scenario. Asset-based lending experts Alex Dell and Dominic Griffiths co-head the overarching banking and finance team that also includes the ‘dynamic’ Ash McDermott, who provides ‘brilliant structuring advice’ to lenders on large international syndicated finance transactions, including on transactions within the emerging markets.

Appreciated by clients for its ‘commerciality and attention to detail’, as well as its aptitude at ‘establishing the art of the possible’, Mayer Brown International LLP remains best-suited to advising lender clients on complex debt financing solutions where the ABL product is utilised either on its own or alongside other financing techniques to facilitate often highly bespoke solutions. A considerable volume of the work has a cross-border complexion, either in the context of US-originated deals or European deals for US-owned lenders; in this regard the team has been at the vanguard of the migration of US techniques/terms to the European market. Dominic Griffiths has ‘a broad knowledge base and a lot of authority in the market’ acting both on behalf of conventional banks, and alternative credit providers which are increasingly willing to utilise ABL and receivables financing techniques in the context of direct lending mandates. Griffiths co-heads the team alongside Alex Dell, whose ‘unrivalled in-depth knowledge of the ABL market’ enables him to provide ‘excellent commercially focused advice’ to clients across a balanced mix of transatlantic mandates, as well as on more conventional domestic matters. Senior associate Ravi Amin is also a key member of the team and is building up a considerable following among clients as a result of his ‘intimate knowledge of the ABL market’, as well as his ‘ability to explain complex legal concepts in a clear and concise manner’. 

‘Their responsiveness and thoroughness in analysing any legal issue and their expertise in accurately drafting complex loan and security documentation, is unparalleled‘, says a client of Mayer Brown International LLP. The firm works for banks, funds, corporates and fintech companies in relation to complex global trade finance transactions spanning product areas such as core trade finance, structured trade & commodity finance, borrowing base finance, inventory monetisation and risk distribution. Alex Dell leads the banking and finance practice, and leads its trade finance work. Key partner Ashley McDermott acted for a syndicate of banks on the debt restructuring of Brazilian energy company Raízen, which involved syndicated pre-export finance facilities provided by the banks. McDermott and senior associate David Fraher ‘display a level of professionalism in their work that makes them stand out by its evident thoroughness and quality‘. Up-and-coming partner Charles Thain handles traditional trade finance transactions, borrowing base finance, receivables finance, supply chain and payables finance and risk distribution structures.