Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP Offices

CONDOR HOUSE
5-10 ST PAUL'S CHURCHYARD
LONDON
EC4M 8AL
England
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Finance > Asset based lending Tier 2
Although it is narrower in scope than some of its peers in the ranking, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has a strong reputation advising on transatlantic ABL transactions for longstanding clients, including Wells Fargo, as well as for a growing number of newer US funders making their first forays into the UK and European market. ‘Superb’ dual New York and UK-qualified team head Georgia Quenby has been integral to the firm’s success in the market and is appreciated for her ability to structure complex deals involving sophisticated intercreditor relationships. In this regard, Quenby is also well versed at protecting clients against future exposure in a distressed scenario and in the event of this happening, is well equipped to advise on the restructuring of ABL debt products. Victoria Thompson‘s dual US and UK qualifications also lend themselves to work on cross-border mandates with a transatlantic complexion, although her workload also includes advice for funds and alternative capital providers in the sector.Practice head(s):
Georgia Quenby
Other key lawyers:
Victoria Thompson; James Mead
Testimonials
‘Georgia Quenby is superb.’
Key clients
Wells Fargo
Bank of America
JP Morgan Chase
Westcon Group
Aurelius Finance Company
Callodine Commercial Finance
Capital One
Bantry Bay
Tosca Debt Capital Fund
Datatec Financial Services
Work highlights
- Advised Aurelius Finance Company on a senior secured term loan facility to the FitFlop group, assisting Aurelius to deliver a bespoke, tailored commercial solution structured to meet the requirements of all stakeholders.
- Advised Wells Fargo on a $150m cross-border ABL financing to Hunting, a UK-listed company operating in the oil and gas sector with significant operations in the US and UK.
- Advised Wells Fargo on a $300m cross-border ABL financing to the Viavi group, a NASDAQ-listed tech communications company, with significant operations in the US, UK and Germany.
Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 2
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has ‘a diverse team of experts able to address a wide variety of interrelated legal issues across multiple legal jurisdictions‘. Carter Brod, who is dual-qualified in US and English law, ‘has deep expertise in emerging markets and demonstrates uncompromised advocacy for his clients‘. He focuses on capital markets transactions, principally in the CEE and CIS. Bruce Johnston handles banking and finance transactions in EMEA, and Ayesha Waheed is a key adviser on energy and infrastructure projects in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the CIS and Asia. Seyfi Can Kandemir joined as a partner from White & Case LLP to add experience in project development and acquisition finance, principally in the power, infrastructure, oil and gas, and mining sectors.Other key lawyers:
Carter Brod; Bruce Johnston; Seyfi Can Kandemir; Ayesha Waheed
Testimonials
‘ Seyfi Can Kandemir has exceptional communication and collaboration skills.’
‘The diverse team of experts is able to address a wide variety of interrelated legal issues across multiple legal jurisdictions.’
‘In financial transactions only a limited number of lawyers and capital markets participants have long term relationships and work closely and symbiotically–the actual clients in transactions can sometimes be viewed as not more than the lunch that feeds market professionals. In contrast, Carter Brod is exceptional. He has deep expertise in emerging markets and demonstrates uncompromised advocacy for his clients.’
Key clients
EBRD
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)
Freedom Holding Corp.
Yandex N.V.
PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery
Euro-Asian Oil SA
Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD)
Avocet Mining plc
Oschadbank (State Savings Bank of Ukraine)
HSBC Bank PLC
WE Soda plc
Destek Bank
Axis Strategic Partners (Dubai)
Aktif Bank
EPH European Property Holdings
Yildirim Holding
Kalyon Group
Work highlights
- Advised Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT) in a consent solicitation in relation to its US$300 million 8.875% Senior Secured Notes due 2029 and TT$680 million 8.30% Senior Secured Notes due 2029, as well as an offering of TT$476 million (approximately US$70 million) in aggregate principal amount of new 8.30% Senior Secured Notes due 2029.
- Advised Turkish bank Aktif Bank on the update of its EUR390 million note issuance program and on an initial $148.5 million offering of 6.5% notes due 2026 under the updated programme.
- Representing London-headquartered WE Soda Ltd, part of the Ciner Group of financial investor group. in the sale of a 60% interest in its North American soda ash business to Sisecam, a portfolio company of Turkish bank, İşbank, for approximately $450 million and a $4 billion joint venture with Sisecam to develop the world’s largest integrated soda ash facility in the Greater Green River Basin in Wyoming.
Corporate and commercial > M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s London office fields a deep bench of talent who regularly work closely with the firm’s international offices on a strong mix of tech, life sciences, energy, and investment management deals. EMEA corporate chair Timothy Corbett is noted for his life sciences pedigree, helming a number of multi-jurisdictional sales and purchases for both established and fast-growth market players. Investment management head Mark Geday possesses a wealth of experience in private equity-driven transactions, with key recent highlights including major cross-border deals in the sports sector. Tomasz Wozniak is well known for his expertise in CIS region M&A across the financial services, consumer goods, and natural resources sectors, while Olivier Chambord – who divides his time between London and Paris – regularly handles corporate transactions and project development matters for oil and gas companies. Energy M&A specialist Seyfi Can Kandemir joined the team from White & Case LLP in October 2021. Tom Cartwright has left the firm.Practice head(s):
Tim Corbett
Other key lawyers:
Mark Geday; Tomasz Wozniak; Olivier Chambord; Seyfi Can Kandemir; Jane McGlynn
Testimonials
‘Extremely responsive and provide clear and commercial advice which focuses on solutions.’
‘Excellent practical legal advice. Clear and concise guidance and solutions.’
‘Jayne McGlynn – Excellent problem solver. Practical, concise, business friendly advice. Very knowledgeable and excellent interpersonal skills. Deep domain expertise.’
Key clients
Selina
Advanz Pharma
OpenGate Capital
uniQure
Channel 3 Consulting
York Energy
Black Diamond Capital Management
WE Soda
Dimanche LLC, an affiliate of Regent LP
Calibre Scientific
Work highlights
- Advising Selina on its $1.2bn SPAC merger with BOA Acquisition Corp.
- Advising OpenGate Capital on the carve-out acquisition of Solvay’s Amphoteric Surfactant Business.
- Advised uniQure N.V. in its agreement to acquire Corlieve Therapeutics.
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m) Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s London office works closely with the firm’s teams in the United States to advise on the full spectrum of deals in the private equity sector. Mark Geday is a key figure in the practice and handles deals involving financial services companies as well as portfolio company M&A. Elsewhere, Tomasz Wozniak takes a leading role in early-stage investments, particularly in the technology sector. Tom Cartwright departed in June 2022.Practice head(s):
Mark Geday
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
Thirdpoint
Black Diamond Capital Management
OpenGate Capital
Freeman Spogli
Ares Capital
Caltius Capital
Ciner Group
MML Capital
Regent LP
StoneCalibre LLC
Lincoln Peak Capital
MSP Sports Capital
Work highlights
- Representing Far Peak Acquisition Corp., a SPAC and private equity backed by Thirdpoint, in its merger with Bullish, a technology company that develops financial services for the digital assets sector.
- Advised Black Diamond Capital Management in its acquisition of a controlling stake in Polynt-Reichhold from Investindustrial.
- Represented OpenGate Capital, a Los Angeles–based private equity firm, in the carve-out acquisition of the commodity amphoteric surfactant business of Solvay.
Dispute resolution > Competition litigation Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s ‘extremely skilled and responsive‘ contentious practice is exceptionally active in pharmaceutical sector matters, acting in a number of multi-party appeals before the CAT and the High Court. The team is also noted for its capabilities in the retail, media, and transport sectors. The competition group is headed up by Frances MurphyPractice head(s):
Frances Murphy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team are extremely skilled and responsive, and bring a real depth of experience in this complex and challenging area. I would not use anyone else. They have their own e-discovery systems for swift and cost-effective data analysis and are willing to adapt their teams and work to the client.’
‘Frances Murphy is simply the most experienced, tenacious and perceptive lawyer for Competition Litigation that I have met. Head and shoulders above the rest in terms of cutting to the chase and dealing with the key issues in a pragmatic and powerful way.’
‘The firm is focused, dedicated, incredibly hardworking, and the team assembled under Frances Murphy is a pleasure to work with.’
‘Frances Murphy is the head of the Competition Team. She is extremely bright and personable, clam under pressure, measured in her advice and expert at striking the balance between firmness and flexibility.’
‘Frances Murphy possesses great knowledge and great interpersonal skills to understand a case and individual.’
‘Frances Murphy has been superb and extremely reassuring in what is a pressure situation for myself and colleague.’
Key clients
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited
Advanz Pharma Corp. (ex Concordia Inc.)
Focus Pharma
AMCo Pharma
McDonalds Restaurants Limited
Abellio East Anglia Limited and Others
Richemont/Pret a Porter
Work highlights
- Secured a win for Sainsbury’s by way of a very favourable settlement of its long-running dispute with Visa over the card provider’s unlawful multilateral interchange fee scheme.
- Leading appeals to the Competition Appeal Tribunal against an infringement decision including acting on behalf of Concordia/Advanz in relation to the alleged excessive and unfair pricing of the thyroid drug Liothyronine under Chapter II / Article 102.
- Representing McDonald’s in claims against Visa and Mastercard before the High Court. The claims are that the payment schemes are anti-competitive and have caused McDonald’s material financial loss.
Employment > Employers Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP stands out for its reputation in employment appeal tribunals and capabilities in cross-border regulatory mandates, trade union campaigns and expertise in the life sciences. Matthew Howse leads the team and is an expert across the full spectrum of employment law. The team are particularly sought after as independent investigators on highly sensitive disciplinary, whistleblowing and regulatory proceedings. Louise Skinner is recommended for gender pay gap and workplace equality matters.Practice head(s):
Matthew Howse
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Morgan Lewis are very knowledgeable, competitive on costs, extremely responsive and as always pragmatic.’
‘The service is always quick without compromising quality and, as mentioned, particularly pragmatic.’
‘They’re not afraid to give a view one way or another.’
‘I have worked with MLB for a decade. Apart from the quality of individual counsel, there is significant strength in depth, across the organisation at all levels. This provides confidence and builds trust.’
‘The team are used to working with very complex and contentious matters – so there is a significant knowledge base that provides perspective.’
‘Matthew Howse is hugely experienced across a range of sectors, which provides for excellent context. Matthew is an excellent communicator and very personable. Organisations have benefited from his counsel and guidance.’
‘Louise Skinner is incredibly responsive and gives high quality advice, whilst also being mindful of our business/the industry we operate in and the need for a degree of pragmatism. She presents her advice clearly and concisely, making it easy to relay to others.’
Key clients
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Shiseido Corporation
Work highlights
- Acted for Shiseido Corporation on all global employment and data privacy matters arising from the high value sale of its Laura Mercier, Buxom and Bare Minerals brands to Advent.
- Advised Novartis on several global projects, relating to diversity and inclusion.
Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is ‘highly professional, very responsive to the client’s needs and has real experts in this field‘. The firm does not target commoditised capital markets work but instead handles innovative and complex deals. Its recent work includes investment grade programmes, debt offerings by FTSE 100 UK plcs, debut bond transactions by emerging markets issuers, private placements, convertible bonds, liability management transactions and a range of structured DCM deals. Head of debt capital markets Carter Brod , who is ‘extremely patient and gives exceptional advice‘ and head of international finance Bruce Johnston are the lead partners in London. Both acted for Turkish bank Aktif Bank on the update of its €390m note issuance programme and an initial offering of $148.5m in notes. Tim Corbett has ‘a great breadth and depth of US corporate law for both equity and debt transactions, so you feel you’re in safe hands'.Practice head(s):
Carter Brod; Bruce Johnston
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Tim Corbett and Ben Stein have a great breadth and depth of US corporate law experience (for both equity and debt transactions) so you feel you’re in safe hands. They are equally very calm under pressure.’
‘Potential clients would like to know that this team is highly professional, very responsive to the client’s needs and real experts in this field.’
‘Carter Brod is an exceptional attorney in this field. He was always of great assistance to us navigating through this complex area of legal practice. At every turn, he gave exceptional advice, and always gave thoughtful and conscientious consideration to feedback from his client. He was consistently the voice of reason in a turbulent environment. It also helped that he was extremely patient with clients who wanted everything to be explained and wanted to understand all the available options.’
Key clients
Prudential plc
Frigorífico Concepción
Black Diamond Capital Management
Aktif Bank
Financial Guaranty UK
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Telecommunications Services of Trinidad and Tobago (TSTT)
Oppenheimer & Co.
Work highlights
- Acted as counsel to the co-issuers, SCIL IV LLC and SCIL USA Holdings LLC, acquisition companies established by Black Diamond Capital Management, in a EUR 1.305 billion offering of a high yield notes pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. The proceeds of the offering were used to fund the purchase of the equity interest in the Polynt-Reichhold group that was held by Investindustrial.
- Advised Aktif Bank, Turkey’s largest privately owned investment bank, on the update of its 390 million euro ($476.1 million) note issuance program and on an initial $148.5 million offering of 6.5% notes due 2026 under the updated program.
- Advised Financial Guaranty UK Ltd. (FGUK), a UK monoline insurer controlled by GoldenTree Asset Management, on a consent solicitation in respect of bonds issued by Northern Gas Networks, a British gas distribution company, in an aggregate principal amount of £255 million, with the objective of cancelling FGUK’s guarantee of those bonds.
Finance > Securitisation Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has ‘commercially-minded lawyers who go the extra mile to find and deliver innovative solutions to their clients’ problems‘. The firm’s London office has partners qualified in both US and English law, enabling it to handle complex cross-border transactions. Paul Matthews is among the firm’s ‘calm, composed and highly competent and professional partners‘. Merryn Craske, who joined from Mayer Brown International LLP, brings significant experience in advising banks, originators, alternative investment funds and private equity firms on securitisation and structured finance transactions. She is ‘one of the most knowledgeable and capable lawyers in the trade and structured finance industry‘, according to one client. Theresa Kradjian and Lisa Cargill are also heavily involved in the portfolio sales, warehouse financings, asset-backed commercial paper conduits and the structuring of pan-European funding platforms.Other key lawyers:
Paul Matthews; Merryn Craske; Theresa Kradjian; Lisa Cargill; Sidanth Rajagopal
Testimonials
‘Merryn Craske is one of the most knowledgeable and capable lawyers in the trade and structured finance industry.’
‘Approachable, providing practical advice and able to deliver high quality documentation with tight timelines and challenging environments.’
‘I have known Merryn Craske for over 7 years now. Merryn is an exceptional professional – very hardworking, going the extra mile and knowing the subject extremely well.’
‘Strong work ethic and investment in long term professional relationships’
‘Commercially minded lawyers who go the extra mile to find and deliver innovative solutions to their clients’ problems.’
‘Calm, composed and highly competent and professional partners and associates.’
‘Sidanth Rajagopal is very commercially oriented with attention to detail, delivering a quality product at a reasonable price.’
Key clients
Avenue Capital
Banco Santander
Bank of America
BNP Paribas
Cerberus Capital Management/Cerberus European Investments/CHL Mortgages
Citigroup Global Markets
Clydesdale Bank/Virgin Money
EFG International/EFG Private Bank
GE Capital
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
J.P. Morgan Securities
Merrill Lynch International
M&G Investment Management
NewDay Cards
Waterfall Asset Management
Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 3
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP offers strong expertise in criminal and regulatory investigations into financial crime, handling allegations of market abuse and insider trading, corruption, and tax issues in proceedings brought by UK, US, and other international regulators and enforcement agencies. Clients include a number of international financial institutions, alongside high-profile corporates and charities. As well as enjoying productive relationships with its US and global offices in cross-border mandates, the firm also works closely with its London-based employment, corporate governance, and commercial litigation teams, allowing it to act in a broad range of complex cases, including contentious proceedings as well as internal investigations into culture and broad regulatory compliance. The team is co-led by Melanie RyanPractice head(s):
Melanie Ryan; Chris Warren-Smith
Testimonials
‘This is a world class firm with a wonderfully talented team.’
‘Superb lawyers with imaginative solutions.’
Key clients
UNICEF
Work highlights
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 3
Mike Pierides leads the technology, outsourcing and commercial group at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP with substantial experience in cloud and SaaS arrangements. The team specialises in outsourcing transactions for both customers and service providers, and emerging technologies is also an area of focus for the team, including quantum computing and virtual payment agreements. The group also supports clients on data protection and privacy-related issues. Timothy Corbett is a key name, advising clients on cross-border corporate transactions in the technology sector.Practice head(s):
Other key lawyers:
Key clients
State Street
Genpact Global Holdings
Integration Appliance
Hubspot
Royal Bank of Canada
Allvue Systems
OSG Connect
Moody’s
GCC Computers
Appspace
Brightpearl
Cambridge Quantum
Work highlights
- Advised State Street and Charles River Development on a series of key, global client agreements, innovative in the investment management sector by combining different service areas, and integrating technology and business process services.
- Advised Genpact on a global, first generation outsourcing for business process services opposite NTT.
- Advised Intapp on a $100m Azure purchase from Microsoft.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 4
At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, the team is particularly proficient in multi-jurisdictional matters, particularly those intersecting the UK and US. Core expertise encompasses FSMA matters, customer redress exercises, FCA investigations, remediation programmes, insider dealing, corruption and alleged mis-selling. Melanie RyanPractice head(s):
Melanie Ryan; Chris Warren-Smith
Employment > Immigration Tier 4
Matthew Howse leads Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s employment department in London, while Shannon Donnelly heads up the immigration team from Washington DC. The media and entertainment, technology, and investment industries are core client sectors, and the firm provides long-term and strategic support, as well as assistance on transactions and reorganisations. Associates Jennifer Connolly and Yvette Allen are key contacts on UK and global immigration matters, with Connolly’s clients including chemical and technology companies and charities, and Allen often leading on matters for entertainment sector clients.Practice head(s):
Matthew Howse; Shannon Donnelly
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The individuals we worked with are the best immigration lawyers we have ever encountered. In particular, Jennifer Connolly – an absolute professional and master of the field. She has a powerhouse of skills, not just when dealing with our internal team but with our cast and contributors, as well as liaising with the relevant authorities when times got difficult and close to the wire. Immigration law is insanely complex, I look forward to working with Jennifer and the team on our next projects and would recommend to anybody in a heartbeat.’
‘Jennifer Connolly and Yvette Allen are very responsive. Very detailed but with a can-go attitude.’
‘The knowledge and efficiency of this team are outstanding. They really devoted their time into our project wholeheartedly, which was on a very tight turnaround. I could not fault the team at Morgan Lewis.’
‘Jennifer Connolly is simply wonderful. Dynamic and solution oriented. Yvette Allen is thoughtful and empathetic.’
Key clients
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd
Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability
Whizz Kid Entertainment Limited
Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 4
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP’s ‘excellent reputation in the UK’ attracts a broad range of work encompassing transactional mandates, regulatory issues, employment work and competition matters. Tim Corbett heads up the group; he specialises in advising early-stage biotech companies on capital raisings and also regularly acts for venture capital investors. Frances MurphyPractice head(s):
Tim Corbett
Other key lawyers:
Frances Murphy; Louise Skinner; Paul Ranson
Testimonials
‘This legal firm has an excellent reputation in the UK, particularly in supporting life sciences, health care, pharmaceuticals and medical devices. Partners and associates demonstrate a high level of competency, expertise and knowledge in this sector. Work is always completed on time and to a very high standard.’
‘Paul Ranson is an exceptional legal mind in the healthcare sector. He is a great all rounder with extensive knowledge and expertise in all areas. Paul is extremely strong in pharmaceuticals and medical devices. He has a great reputation for delivering work of the highest standard in a timely manner. Paul is a great communicator and is able to explain complex legal matters in a simple and understandable way.’
Key clients
uniQure
Calibre Scientific
Advanz Pharma (ex Concordia Inc.)
Focus Pharma
AMCo Pharma
AstraZeneca UK Limited
Novartis Pharmaceuticals
Work highlights
- Advised uniQure N.V., a leading gene therapy company, on its agreement to acquire Corlieve Therapeutics, a private French biotech company.
- Advised Calibre Scientific, a portfolio company of international private equity firm StoneCalibre, on the acquisition of 100% of Reagecon Diagnostics Ltd.
- Leading Concordia’s/Advanz’s defence in relation to the alleged excessive and unfair pricing of the thyroid drug Liothyronine under Chapter II / Article 102.
Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas Tier 4
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP focuses on financing and transactional work and also has the capacity to handle litigation, arbitration and regulatory matters. Bruce Johnston heads the team, which was recently bolstered by the arrival of Seyfi Can Kandemir from White & Case LLP in October 2021; Allison Soilihi was promoted to partner.Practice head(s):
Bruce Johnston
Other key lawyers:
Ayesha Waheed; Olivier Chambord; Allison Soilihi; Seyfi Can Kandemir
Testimonials
‘The team was always on hand and provides excellent insights’.
‘Seyfi Can Kandemir was the perfect match to our needs; quick and sharp’.
Key clients
We Soda
Financial Guaranty UK Ltd. (FGUK)
EBRD
Work highlights
- Advised Financial Guaranty UK Ltd. (FGUK), a UK monoline insurer controlled by GoldenTree Asset Management, on its consent solicitation in respect of some of the bonds issued by Northern Gas Networks valued at £255m, with the objective to cancel FGUK’s guarantee of those bonds.
- Representing London-headquartered WE Soda Ltd, part of the Ciner Group of financial investor group in the sale of a 60% interest in its North American soda ash business to Sisecam, a portfolio company of Turkish bank, İşbank, for approximately $450m and a $4bn joint venture with Sisecam to develop the world’s largest integrated soda ash facility in the Greater Green River Basin in Wyoming.
- Engaged by a Russian energy client on a multibillion financing for a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant project financing in Russia. The project envisages financing, construction and operation of a large-scale complex for gas processing and liquefaction facilities in Russia.
TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design Tier 4
Nicholas Bolter heads up the soft IP practice for Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, and is praised for his ‘incisiveness’. Clients across the UK and Europe in the automotive, retail, luxury, apparel, and technology industries rely on the team’s expertise, and it regularly advises on trade mark and design enforcement, infringement and prosecution work, new brand risk assessments, and IP due diligence. Associate Martin Henshall is also a key member the team, assisting Bolter across a number of matters.Practice head(s):
Nicholas Bolter
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘We just recently started to cooperate with Morgan Lewis & Bockius LLP. This firm is very professional and responsive, which is something we do appreciate.’
‘Nick Bolter is handling our trade mark portfolio in the UK, he is very professional and responsive. He has always shown proactivity and a solid knowledge of the UK and European Trade mark Law and practice. We appreciate Mr. Bolter’s ability to be incisive with third parties, which often led to early settlements, preventing time-consuming and costly proceedings. We are very satisfied with Mr. Bolter’s work. We would recommend his firm because the service provided is of top quality.’
Key clients
Vans, Inc.
Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited
Abercrombie & Fitch sagl
Kontoor Brands
Netflix Studios
Ferrari S.p.A.
TGI Fridays
Wayfair
Twitter, Inc.
Timberland Licensing LLC
Voyetra Turtle Beach
Work highlights
- Acting for Vans Inc. in relation to its trade mark and designs enforcement in the UK.
- Advising Williams Grand Prix Engineering Limited on its global trade mark portfolio. This has included managing a global filing program for WILLIAMS as a word mark and for its W Logo.
- Assisting Abercrombie & Fitch with its UK trade mark matters for over a decade.
Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 5
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is particularly noted for the strength of its competition offering in the pharmaceutical sector, where the ‘always reliable, thorough, and commercial‘ practice handles a formidable volume of CMA investigations. Practice head Frances MurphyPractice head(s):
Frances Murphy
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Always reliable, thorough, and commercial advice which gets to the heart of the issues in a transaction.’
‘Leo Theodosiou, Joanna Christoforou and the whole team offer excellent support and are always on hand during a transaction to offer top class insights which allow for clear and fully informed decision making.’
‘Great people. Friendly and supportive, yet they can deliver tough messages when they need to. We really have a sense of collaboration working with this firm – you don’t get that everywhere.’
‘Excellent technical knowledge (which goes without saying) with brilliant minds. Highly supportive. You feel that they care personally about our business.’
Key clients
Sainsbury’s Supermarkets Limited
Advanz Pharma Corp.
Focus Pharma
AMCo Pharma
McDonalds Restaurants Limited
Abellio East Anglia Limited and Others
AstraZeneca UK Limited
Tata Steel
Richemont/Pret a Porter
WE Soda
Work highlights
- Secured a victory for Sainsbury’s by way of a very favourable settlement of its long-running dispute with Visa over the card provider’s unlawful multilateral interchange fee scheme.
- Leading Concordia’s/Advanz’s defence in relation to the alleged excessive and unfair pricing of the thyroid drug Liothyronine under Chapter II / Article 102.
Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 5
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has broad expertise in banking litigation, where it is instructed by banks, investors and investment managers on cross-border mandates. Melanie RyanPractice head(s):
Melanie Ryan; Chris Warren-Smith
Other key lawyers:
Peter Sharp; David Waldron; Keir Baker; Paul Mesquitta
Testimonials
‘The ability to achieve global coverage whilst still maintaining a personal touch and excellent delivery of services.’
‘Peter Sharp and David Waldron – both truly excellent’
‘Chris Warren-Smith and his teams are exceptional litigators. Chris himself has decades of experience and makes very good use of it – committed, intelligent, excellent with clients, and with a very good dry sense of humour. Others who stand out are Keir Baker, and Paul Mesquitta.’
‘Keir Baker and Paul Mesquitta are both very good.’
Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 5
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP advises institutional investors on investments into funds as well as on secondary market transactions, including the formation of funds of funds. The ‘highly knowledgeable’ practice also has a presence in the venture capital market where it advises on fund formation and secondary deals. Simon Currie leads the group, while Gawain Hughes is particularly focused on secondaries. Oliver Rochman and Robert Mailer are also key partners in the team; Rochman is a ‘real pleasure to work with’ while Mailer wins praise for his creative approach to VC fund structures.Practice head(s):
Simon Currie
Other key lawyers:
Gawain Hughes; Oliver Rochman; Robert Mailer; Tayne Rankine; Eliska Macnerova
Testimonials
‘An incredibly friendly and hardworking team, who do their best to support clients. They are very thoughtful, going above and beyond to meet our needs. They aren’t afraid to innovate when existing processes are cumbersome.’
‘Oliver Rochman can intuitively understand what we are asking for, often even before we’ve fully articulated our question. He is a real pleasure to work with and is always looking out for our best interests.’
‘I work mostly with Rob Mailer who is a great lawyer and advisor, he is trustworthy, very quick, pragmatic and entrepreneurial in his approach.’
‘Highly knowledgeable team, from the Partner to the trainee, both from a purely legal perspective but also from a market practice point of view. Business oriented with pragmatic solutions, very reactive. Flexible arrangements for billing.’
‘Tayne Rankine has outstanding work ability in managing huge volumes and complex projects simultaneously. Business oriented and pragmatic with an engaging personality.’
‘Excellent market knowledge. Very responsive and willing to think creatively about solutions tailored to our needs.’
‘Rob Mailer’s knowledge of the venture market and ability to think creatively around fund structures is excellent.’
Key clients
Pictet & Cie
Credit Suisse Group
JP Morgan Asset Management
Various Large Institutional Investor Clients
Digital Colony
Stone Harbour
Pantheon Ventures
Work highlights
- Advised Pictet & Cie on both secondary transactions and primary investments.
- Represented Credit Suisse AG in more than 30 private equity fund reviews and feeder fund formations in the last 12 months.
- Representing JP Morgan’s Private Equity Group on an ongoing basis in connection with commingled fund investments and co-investments made by its commingled and single-investor private equity funds.
Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 5
With specialist teams across Europe, the Middle East, China, Singapore and the US, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP is uniquely positioned to handle GPDR matters, multi-jurisdictional compliance programmes and data transfers. The team is jointly led by Pulina Whitaker, whose expertise spans outsourcing transactions, employment data privacy issues, and data breach investigations, and Matthew Howse, who is recommended for privacy and cybersecurity matters.Practice head(s):
Pulina Whitaker; Matthew Howse
Key clients
Mitek Systems
Urban Outfitters
Total System Services
The Kraft Group
Mesmerise Global
Richemont
Work highlights
- Assisted Mitek Systems with complex privacy issues relating to the use of data, including biometric and hashed data, customer agreements and data sharing requirements.
- Advised Urban Outfitters on various aspects of data privacy, including website cookies and data transfers as well as privacy notices and compliance with supervisory authority requirements and recommendations.
- Acted for TSYS on all aspects of data protection relating to international commercial agreements as well as internal processing activities.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 6
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s team works as part of the firm’s global practice to advise on multijurisdictional tax matters, particularly in the transactional sphere. The ‘technical and pragmatic’ Kate Habershon leads the practice, with experience on M&A, international structuring, and tax planning. Neil McKnight, who was promoted to partner in 2020, covers real estate. Associate Grace Tan is noted.Practice head(s):
Kate Habershon
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is excellent and tackles all problems put their way.’
‘Kate Habershon is the rare mix of a technical and pragmatic tax lawyer.’
‘Knowledgeable in the PE industry.’
‘Responsive and experienced.’
‘Great team – good technical ability and client communication.’
Key clients
Selina
Black Diamond Capital Management
Regent
AmerisourceBergen Corp
23andme
Work highlights
- Representing Selina in its merger with BOA Acquisition Corp., a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company.
- Represented Black Diamond Capital Management in its acquisition of a controlling stake in Polynt-Reichhold from Investindustrial.
- Advising Dimanche LLC, an affiliate of Regent LP, in the acquisition of HanesBrands Inc.’s European innerwear business.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6
At Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP, the team is knowledgeable of an array of regulatory and legislation affairs, both EU and UK-related. The group is co-headed by Simon Currie and William Yonge; the former is a specialist in the formation, management and operation of private investment funds, listed investment companies, managed accounts and separate account investment vehicles, while the latter an asset management sector specialist, often acting for US, Europe, Middle East and Asia-based managers on their establishment in the UK.Practice head(s):
Simon Currie; William Yonge
Testimonials
‘The team are very responsive and have great knowledge and experience of financial services regulations in UK, as well as how it applies on a cross-border basis.’
‘Very responsive, commercial in nature and can clearly apply the law to our specific business model in a way that can be used in a practical way.’
Key clients
MSP Sports Capital
Digital Colony
Stone Harbor Investment Partners
Work highlights
- Represented MSP Sports Capital in the £185m investment in McLaren Racing.
- Represented Digital Colony, the digital investment management division of Colony Capital, in the sale of a minority stake to Wafra Inc.
- Represented Stone Harbor Investment Partners in connection with Virtus Investment Partners’ acquisition of Stone Harbor as an affiliated manager.
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 6
Major banks and financial institutions across the globe form the core of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s client roster; the group is highly proficient in leveraging its litigation and investigations expertise, and its multi-jurisdictional presence, on behalf of such players. Melanie RyanPractice head(s):
Melanie Ryan
Other key lawyers:
Chris Warren-Smith; Peter Sharp; David Waldron; Paul Mesquitta
Testimonials
‘A top end team, led by very high calibre partners backed by very able associates – with excellent judgement in allocating work to the right level. Deep experience and confidence in tackling the most complex international commercial disputes.’
‘Peter Sharp is a veteran litigator, with a huge intellect and excellent commercial judgement. One of the most impressive disputes solicitors in London.’
‘David Waldron is hugely capable, reliable and a pleasure to work with.’
‘Instructed on some very large international litigation.’
‘UK and US partners work seamlessly together to provide holistic cross-border advice.’
‘David Waldron and Peter Sharp are both very experienced, savvy litigators with excellent judgement.’
Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 6
‘Extremely experienced across the range of international commercial arbitration‘, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP‘s London practice routinely handles major disputes in the Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the CIS region. International commercial, oil, gas, and energy arbitration specialist David Waldron, ‘has clients’ complete confidence‘; and Peter Sharp‘s arbitration experience includes several LCIA and ICC arbitrations. Providing additional partner-level support are Chris Warren-SmithPractice head(s):
Melanie Ryan; David Waldron; Peter Sharp
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘A wealth of top-quality experience, huge tactical acumen and strategic intelligence.’
‘Morgan Lewis is a go-to international arbitration firm. It can assemble large teams of experienced solicitors to work on large and complex international arbitrations; and its solicitors come from diverse backgrounds but work hard as a team.‘
‘A very experienced international commercial arbitration outfit – hugely experienced and punching above its weight.’
‘Extremely experienced across the range of international commercial arbitration in numerous sectors, but particularly energy matters.‘
‘David Waldron is a wise head who always under-promises and over-delivers. Despite his seniority, he gets stuck into the detail and has clients’ complete confidence. He fights the cases that should be fought and settles the ones that should be settled.’
‘David Waldron is very experienced and gets on excellently with clients. He is very commercial.‘
‘Peter Sharp is an excellent lawyer and decisive in his advice.’
‘Peter Sharp is an outstanding leader, who knows when to delegate and when to step in.’
Finance > Transport finance and leasing
United States > Industry focus > Energy litigation: oil and gas Tier 3
Latin America: International firms > Capital markets
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP is known for bond offerings, including sovereign offerings, along with private placements and debt restructurings. Hartford-based partner Daniel Papermaster represents a range of institutional investors in private placement financings in Latin America and elsewhere. London partner Carter Brod specialises in international bond offerings, including issuances originating from Latin America. Also in Hartford, special adviser Michael Reilly has a long track record in Latin America bond restructurings.Work highlights
Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP > Firm Profile
The firm: With 31* offices in the United States, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, Morgan Lewis provides litigation, corporate, finance, restructuring, employment and intellectual property advice to clients in all major industries. Founded in 1873, Morgan Lewis comprises more than 2,000 legal professionals.
An English law practice offering business and commercial services, the London office works with the firm’s offices in Europe, Asia, the United States and the Middle East. The Brexit team provides guidance on the legal and business implications of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
Types of work undertaken
Antitrust/competition: Morgan Lewis lawyers regularly appear before antitrust enforcement agencies and courts around the world, on the strategic handling of complex transactions and litigation, and a full spectrum of services in EU and competition law.
Banking and finance: the London finance team advises on complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions. Clients include financial institutions, funds, corporations, sponsors and governments. The team has been involved in new structures, products, and asset classes as well as the financing of public and private M&A transactions, leveraged buyouts, conventional and alternative bank financings, debt capital markets and highly structured finance transactions.
Corporate and business transactions: the team is instructed on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, fund formation, finance, restructuring, securities, emerging business and technology, outsourcing, energy transactions and tax. The corporate practice has worked on some of the largest and most innovative transactions in Europe, often acting as lead deal counsel on transactions in Russia, Asia and Africa.
Energy transactions: the London office advises public utilities, oil and gas companies, financial institutions, private equity firms, independent power producers and generators, and project developers in relation to their corporate, finance, transactional, regulatory and litigation needs.
Immigration/labour and employment: Morgan Lewis guides organisations and individuals through the UK immigration system and collaborates with colleagues in the firm’s larger employment, tax and US immigration practices to provide clients with integrated global legal advice and carefully tailored solutions. The labour and employment team advises European and US companies with operations overseas, on workforce expansions or reductions, and litigation ranging from hiring and dismissal practices to unions and regulatory or compliance matters.
Investment management: the London investment management team advises sponsors and investors on international private equity, private investments and hedge funds. It counsels clients on European and international taxation, UK and EU financial services regulation and compliance, executive compensation, corporate governance, and litigation.
Life sciences: the firm’s global life sciences practice covers the complete product life cycle. Services include transactions and litigation; regulatory strategies, approvals and compliance; protection of intellectual property; labour and employment matters; immigration; and antitrust.
Litigation, regulation and investigations: the London team handles sophisticated international commercial dispute, arbitration, insurance recovery and white-collar matters. With a particularly strong command of the energy and financial services industries – and of matters involving fraud investigations and the UK Bribery Act – lawyers represent clients around the world, in most courts and arbitration venues.
Structured finance: the London structured finance team advises institutions and entities that operate, invest in or deal with businesses that provide financial services and products to the consumer, financial, commercial and public sectors in the UK and other jurisdictions.
Tax: the London team provides UK tax law advice on transactions such as mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, disposals and reorganisations, private investment fund formation and investor representation, and structured finance transactions, working with the corporate, finance and international tax practices to structure transactions so as to maximise tax efficiencies.
*Our Beijing and Shanghai offices operate as representative offices of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. In Hong Kong, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius is a separate Hong Kong general partnership registered with The Law Society of Hong Kong. Morgan Lewis Stamford LLC is a Singapore law corporation affiliated with Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Managing partner | Frances Murphy | ||
Antitrust/competition | Frances Murphy | ||
Antitrust/competition | Izzet Sinan | ||
Antitrust/competition | Omar Shah | ||
Banking and finance | Bruce Johnston | ||
Capital markets | Carter Brod | ||
Corporate and business transactions | Tom Cartwright | ||
Corporate and business transactions | Timothy J Corbett | ||
Corporate and business transactions | Iain Wright | ||
Energy transactions | Olivier Chambord | ||
Labour and employment | Matthew Howse | ||
Labour and employment | Pulina Whitaker | ||
Investment management | Simon Currie | ||
Investment management | Gawain Hughes | ||
Investment management | William Yonge | ||
Life sciences | Paul Ranson | ||
Life sciences | Tim Corbett | ||
Life sciences | Tom Cartwright | ||
Litigation, regulatory and investigations | Peter Sharp | ||
Litigation, regulatory and investigations | David Waldron | ||
Litigation, regulatory and investigations | Chris Warren-Smith | ||
Litigation, regulatory and investigations | Melanie Ryan | ||
Structured finance | Lisa Cargill | ||
Structured finance | Julian Goodman | ||
Structured finance | Theresa Kradjian | ||
Structured finance | Paul Matthews | ||
Tax | Kate Habershon |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Ms Yvette Allen | Yvette Allen is a member of the firm’s immigration and global mobility… | View Profile |
![]() | Nick Bolter | Nick Bolter, a partner in the intellectual property practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Carter Brod | Carter Brod counsels corporations, banks, sovereign governments, investment banks and investors on… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Lisa Cargill | A partner in the structured transactions practice at Morgan Lewis, Lisa Cargill… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Joanna Christoforou | Joanna Christoforou is a partner in the antitrust practice at Morgan Lewis.… | View Profile |
![]() | Miss Jennifer Connolly | Jennifer is an associate in Morgan Lewis’s London office who advises businesses… | View Profile |
![]() | Timothy Corbett | Tim is a partner in Morgan Lewis’s London office, he concentrates his… | View Profile |
![]() | Simon Currie | Simon Currie, a partner in the investment management practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Paul Denham | A partner in the finance practice at Morgan Lewis, Paul Denham advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Mark Geday | Mark Geday, a partner in the corporate practice at Morgan Lewis, has… | View Profile |
![]() | Kate Habershon | Kate Habershon is a partner who advises corporations and funds on corporate… | View Profile |
![]() | Karl Horvath | Karl Horvath, of counsel in the structured transactions practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Matthew Howse | As labor and employment practice group leader in London, Matthew Howse represents… | View Profile |
![]() | Bruce Johnston | Bruce is head of the firm’s international finance practice. He advises both… | View Profile |
![]() | Jennifer Josefson | Jennifer Josefson, a partner in the energy practice at Morgan Lewis, represents… | View Profile |
![]() | Seyfi Can Kandemir | Seyfi Can Kandemir focuses on international project finance transactions, particularly within the… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Theresa Kradjian | A partner at Morgan Lewis, Theresa focuses her practice on a broad… | View Profile |
![]() | Robert Mailer | Robert Mailer, a partner in the investment management practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Paul Matthews | Paul Matthews, a partner in the structured transactions practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Jayne McGlynn | Jayne is a partner in the firm’s London office whose corporate business… | View Profile |
![]() | Neil McKnight | Neil McKnight, a partner in the tax practice at Morgan Lewis, advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Paul Mesquitta | Paul Mesquitta advises clients on complex commercial disputes in the English courts… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Nick Moore | A partner in the corporate practice at Morgan Lewis, Nick Moore focuses… | View Profile |
![]() | Frances Murphy | Frances Murphy, a partner in the antitrust practice at Morgan Lewis, focuses… | View Profile |
![]() | Mike Pierides | Mike Pierides, a partner in the corporate business transactions practice at Morgan… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Georgia Quenby | A partner in the finance practice at Morgan Lewis, Georgia Quenby advises… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Paul Ranson | Paul Ranson is a consultant who focuses on the regulatory and commercial… | View Profile |
![]() | Oliver Rochman | Oliver Rochman, a partner in the investment management practice at Morgan Lewis,… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Melanie Ryan | Melanie Ryan, a partner in the litigation practice at Morgan Lewis, represents… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Omar Shah | Omar Shah is a partner in Morgan Lewis’s London office who represents clients… | View Profile |
![]() | Peter Sharp | Peter maintains a broad litigation practice that spans the oil and gas,… | View Profile |
![]() | Louise Skinner | Louise Skinner is a partner in Morgan Lewis’s London office who provides… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Victoria Thompson | A partner at Morgan Lewis, Victoria Thompson assists clients in a variety… | View Profile |
![]() | Ayesha Waheed | Ayesha Waheed, a partner in the corporate business transactions practice at Morgan… | View Profile |
![]() | David Waldron | David is a partner in Morgan Lewis’s London office. David counsels clients… | View Profile |
![]() | Emma Walsh | Emma Walsh, an associate in the antitrust practice at Morgan Lewis, focuses… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Chris Warren-Smith | Deputy Chair of Morgan Lewis’s white collar and corporate investigations practice, Chris… | View Profile |
![]() | Ms Pulina Whitaker | A partner at Morgan Lewis, Pulina focuses her practice on a variety… | View Profile |
![]() | Mr Tomasz Wozniak | A partner at Morgan Lewis, Tomasz Woźniak advises public and private companies… | View Profile |
![]() | Iain Wright | Iain is a partner in the corporate business transactions team in London.… | View Profile |
![]() | William Yonge | William Yonge is a partner in the firm’s London office who specializes… | View Profile |
Staff Figures
Number of UK partners : 41 Number of other UK fee-earners : 23- Corporate and commercial > M&A: lower mid-market deals, £50m-£500m
- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions - mid-market deals (up to £250m)
- Dispute resolution > Competition litigation
- Employment > Employers
- Finance > Debt capital markets
- Finance > Securitisation
- Risk advisory > Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates)
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms
- Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious
- Employment > Immigration
- Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Oil and gas
- TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property: trade marks, copyright and design
- Corporate and commercial > EU and competition
- Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail
- Investment fund formation and management > Private funds
- Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity