McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘The team understand the betting and gaming industry and apply their knowledge to a very specific area that affects the industry and is often underlooked, being bribery, corruption and criminal finance.’

‘They are organised and efficient and on hand at the drop of an email and take the time to learn about the business function in order to provide focused and sensible advice.’

‘Simon Airey always lends his considerable weight and experience when necessary.’

‘McDermotts’ enormous US presence gives them a perspective on trans-Atlantic private client litigation with which almost all firms cannot compete. They have a global presence in the market. Nicholas Holland – ebullient and energetic lawyer who is fascinated by the detail and runs a case with aplomb’.

‘Nick Holland is an experienced litigator who has particular experience of Cayman and Canada’.

‘MWE has a small private client department that punches far above its weight due to the enormous depth of experience possessed by its partners (particularly Ziva Robertson and Nick, Holland). MWE one of the few top private client departments which blends its contentious and non-contentious offering. The result is that there is a lot of joined-up thinking and points do not go unnoticed’.

‘Ziva Robertson is extremely able and has an extraordinary amount of experience across virtually all common law jurisdictions. She is particularly good at managing teams of lawyers across jurisdictions and being able to keep sight of the overall strategy of a case’.

‘The things that struck me was the diversity in the team (how refreshing), how they were all extremely calm, about all matters, and the emotional intelligence that the team demonstrated. They had a unique insight into the stress that we were feeling and were able to provide the technical and legal support, but in a way that made me feel both safe and informed’.

‘Ziva Robertson – exceptional legal memory and analytical skills. Excellent in thinking outside of the box. She will always try and creatively think how to get things done even if everyone else will say it is impossible (and she will!). Full of charisma and makes for a wonderful team leader. Anita Shah – extremely smart, thorough, amazing researcher of fact and law. Extremely organised and talented’.

‘Great international team with strength in depth across the board in US, England and South Africa. Nick Holland – a charming, highly knowledgeable and canny operator who achieves great results for his clients’.

‘Focus on US connected private clients – a unique service offering backed up by experienced and technical professionals.Simon Goldring – one of the most determined professionals I have worked with and provides first class service to all of his clients’.

‘Simon Goldring- exceptional and proactive service’.

‘One of the best Anglo US private client teams in London. Their breadth of experience is rarely beaten in London. Simon Goldring and Astrid Owen are powerful forces, delivering clear advice to clients’.

‘Simon Gibb – great knowledge matched with a brilliant client manner‘.

‘Simon Goldring is excellent – very persistent with HMRC and getting the right result.’

‘International approach – strong US technical know-how. Very responsive. Astrid Owen: responsive, pragmatic, solution-based, strong technical knowledge. Simon Gibb: responsive, strong technical knowledge, considered and precise’.

‘In the context of my liaisons with this practice, their knowledge about UK, US and South African tax laws and private client matters is unmatched – for individuals with interests in those three jurisdictions, they provide a comprehensive service (with good contacts in jurisdictions where they are not)’.

‘Andrew Vergunst has a very good general knowledge about the tax and private client matters relating to US, UK and South Africa – he is a fantastic “project manager” of more technical advisors on matters spanning those jurisdictions. Simon Gibb is a very good and detailed advisor and draftsman in relation to UK private client matters’.

‘A strong US presence in our sector which is very useful for cross-border matters. It allowed us to use one firm for all issues no matter the jurisdiction.’

‘The team operates at the intersection of litigation, restructuring and transactional law. It is therefore the perfect team for difficult restructuring and enforcement scenarios, and it is equally at home acting for all sorts of financial institutions.’

‘Small, focused team with innovative thinking, good team relationships and sensible advice.’

‘On top of the detail, with very clear, good and commercial advice and excellent support to the counsel team.’

‘Andrew Savage is good at thinking outside the box.’

‘Andrew Savage was excellent to work with.’

‘Associate Kimberley Smith is very focused and hardworking, and has excellent drafting skills.’

‘The MWE team is very personable, it is an absolute pleasure to work with Ranajoy Basu and Priya Taneja. They are very good at simplifying a complex problem and suggesting different solutions, which can be invaluable for us and our clients.’

‘Priya Taneja is always available and finds a pragmatic solution, a brilliant lawyer.’

‘Ranajoy Basu and Priya Taneja are very personable, they put a lot of effort in to build relationships with their clients and the relationship makes them great to work with.’

‘A unique element of McDermott’s practice is their deep commitment to the client that appears to go above and beyond their firm engagement letter. When you have McDermott advising you, you feel that they truly partner with your business. Potential clients will enjoy the outstanding responsivity, reactivity and proactiveness towards their clients.’

‘The individuals at McDermott stand about because they are extremely approachable. Emails are answered energetically and enthusiastically and you get the feeling that the lawyers are always one step ahead of you, which is very comforting from the clients perspectives. This is markedly different from other firms who are often less responsive and seem less consistent with response times.’

‘I have a great working relationship with Priya Taneja, she has become (over the many years I have worked with her now) my go-to person for any questions I have whether or not she is working on the transaction with me. She is an expert in her field and always adds a personal touch to everything she does.’

‘The team concentrates on representing trustees, so unlike other market participants they do not work for issuers or underwriters. While the trustee role is not high-profile and usually an afterthought, you really need some pragmatic and commercial advice after the deal is done in the event of a restructuring or liability management exercise and I think Ranajoy Basu is the best at helping to facilitate and manage trustee-related issues.’

‘Ranajoy Basu is my favorite attorney in Europe for trustee’s counsel. He is easy to deal with, commercially pragmatic and always makes the time to engage.’

‘Extensive experience across the private health sector. Innovative approach to negotiation and litigation.’

‘Sharon Lamb – bright, determined, leaves no stone unturned on behalf of her clients.’

‘The team is extremely knowledgeable about the sector.’

‘Sharon Lamb’s knowledge of the sector, and commercial awareness, is unparalleled.’

‘Strong healthcare team with access to MDE US clients. Innovative thinkers who think outside the box.’

‘Hamid Yunis leads the team and has an impressive range of knowledge. He has a reassuring client manner and knows his stuff.’

‘A very can do firm, always seeking to find solutions rather than problems.’

‘David Gibson and Hamid Yunis have both been very professional and are quick responders and go the extra mile. Sage advice and clear guidance, often working long hours to deliver.’

‘Highly diligent, responsive and possessing a strong pro bono ethos.’

‘Sarah Gabbai stands out in terms of her exceptional diligence, responsiveness and breadth of tax law expertise – equally apparent in her highly committed pro bono work.’

‘Very knowledgeable team, responsive, client focused with a broad understanding of the asset management business.’

‘Kevin Cummings is not only a extremely knowledgeable tax advisor but also able to find pragmatic, client-focused solutions.’

‘Sarah Gabbai is an excellent lawyer – combines intelligence with empathy.’

‘McDermott Will & Emery has an exceptionally strong team of very experienced individuals, who provide advice that is always incisive and exactly on point.‘

‘The firm benefits from great global coverage and the lawyers always do the utmost to secure a win for clients.‘

‘Andrew Savage is very sensible, and takes only the good points.’

Andrew Savage is absolutely dedicated to his clients, a superb tactician and a fantastic lawyer overall. Andrew has an attention to detail that is unrivalled, and he is unrelenting in his desire to serve his client and the case.‘

‘One of the main achievements of Andrew Savage is that he has built up a team of very impressive associates. These include Edward Perkins and Kimberley Smith, each of whom is a future star – very impressive.’

‘Michael Darowksi is brilliant. He is highly professional, easy to work with, and in control of deadlines, procedural and substantive issues at all stages. He displays effective case management, and has an open and collaborative way of working.’

‘Michael Darowski is tremendously responsive, retains detailed case knowledge over a long period of time, and displays excellent industry and sector knowledge.’

‘Counsel Armando Neris is a superstar, whose intellectual capabilities are no short of extraordinary.’

‘A range of legal services with a particular understanding of US/UK client matters.’

‘Very collaborative and easy to work with.’

‘Paul McGrath and Katie Clark are hands on and very collaborative partners, who get into the detail rather than throwing work over their shoulder.’

‘Really enjoyable to work with and quick to mobilise and effective at advising on what matters.’

‘Pragmatic, common sense approach to matters.’

‘Honest and upfront about their advice.’

‘Paul McGrath is personable, approachable, knowledgeable and almost always available. He assimilates information quickly, understands the business and its drivers and makes recommendations based on this.’

‘An exceptionally strong mid-market and special situations debt team, covering products such as unitranche, growth company financings such as recurring revenue financings, holdco financings and the like. The team gets a range of types of deals and number of deals that is astounding given its size.’

‘Very knowledgeable, hardworking, and well-resourced.’

‘Aymen Mahmoud is a uniquely commercial and creative transaction leader. Savvy and knowledgeable. A safe pair of hands.’

‘The superb Mark Fine has a wealth of experience across all financing disciplines. He is very user-friendly and highly recommended.’

‘Giulia Venanzoni and Nicholas Jupp both perform at a level substantially beyond their years.’

‘Strong team with good bench of associates.’

‘A safe pair of hands, Aymen Mahmoud is savvy, knowledgeable, always available and always on the ball.’

‘Due to the calibre of the team they are frequently brought into the most high- profile and complex cross-border restructuring matters which often have a contentious element. They lead and project manage market leading multi-jurisdictional matters such that the underlying client gets a top-notch service.’

‘This is a highly accomplished, exceptionally reliable and consistently user-friendly team.’

‘Excellent, slick, proactive and knowledgeable team with extensive funds and private equity experience, impressive cross-border restructuring expertise and a loyal client base.’

‘ Very hands on, very responsive and hugely efficient.’

‘Mark Fennessy is one of the most experienced insolvency and restructuring practitioners in London who is adept at leading large scale cross-border matters. He had a strong ability to command teams in various jurisdictions to achieve desired outcomes.’ 

‘Mark Fennessy is brilliant with clients, a fantastic lateral thinker coming up with workable and effective solutions. Very loved by his team – a caring and perceptive leader. Incredibly knowledgeable about global restructuring issues, straddling Europe and the US.’

‘Sunay Radia – is a pleasure to work with and unflappable in high pressure scenarios. An impressive pedigree in corporate finance.’

‘Merrick White doesn’t just provide legal experience but also assists on the deal by understanding the context of the business.’

‘Merrick has the unique competency of integrating the engineering, commercial and legal competencies with his working experience in Indonesia.’

‘I am not aware of a lawyer that has the competencies and reputation of Merrick, and therefore, this is why he is our choice for external legal support for projects in Southeast Asia.’