Private funds (including infrastructure funds)

Life sciences and healthcare

Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP works closely with its US counterparts to provide a joined up approach to dealing with proceedings brought by US and international enforcement agencies, such as the DoJ, SEC, FBI and the US Attorneys’ Offices. Head of practice Judith Seddon has 'a rare combination of detailed black letter legal knowledge, sound tactical judgement and excellent interpersonal and client-handling skills'. Seddon handles a broad range of white-collar matters, including fraud, corruption, and regulatory and criminal investigations and prosecutions. Amanda Raad, who splits her time between London and New York, also co-heads the team and is dual-qualified in the US, and in England and Wales.

High yield Tier 2

'The firm always adds value add through its commercial judgment and technical expertise’, says a client of Ropes & Gray LLP. Another remarks upon 'a great team with lawyers who are smart, always on top of their game, client-focused and actively looking for solutions when roadblocks arise’. In 2019, the team focused on big-ticket, and highly complex, high-yield financing for corporate entities, including its work for BidFair on the $3.7bn acquisition of Sotheby’s. The firm continued to expand its client base among both underwriters and lenders, while acting on repeat mandates for major players such as Goldman Sachs. Michael Kazakevich leads the finance practice in London and is a key adviser to repeat issuer Altice. The 'thoughtful and creative’ Jane Rogers plays a key role in the firm's work for repeat issuer Liberty Global and is among the most experienced high-yield lawyers in the City. Partners Robert Haak  and Aditya Khanna are also recommended.

Regulatory investigations and corporate crime (advice to corporates) Tier 2

Ropes & Gray LLP has 'extensive first-hand experience of advising high-profile corporate clients caught up in regulatory and criminal prosecutions'. It handles prosecutions and enforcement actions across the UK and around the globe. With a strong US presence, the firm is well placed to advise on parallel investigations and proceedings overseas, and often handles matters brought by the FBI, DoJ and SEC, as well as the UK regulators. It also advises on compliance matters, reporting obligations and risk management; leveraging firm-wide relationships with global multinationals, private equity firms, and sovereign investors. The 'exceptionally talented' Judith Seddon co-heads the practice and is noted for her expertise in national and international white-collar crime, fraud, corruption and regulatory and criminal investigations and prosecutions. Amanda Raad also co-heads the team and is dual US- and UK-qualified. Raad is experienced in cross-border cases and negotiating with regulators.

Commercial property: investment Tier 3

The ‘dynamic and commercial’ team at Ropes & Gray LLP handles both the corporate and real estate components of investment matters, directing a strong degree of emphasis towards private equity work. David Seymour serves as department head, leveraging specialist expertise in joint ventures, co-investments, direct and indirect transactions, sale and leasebacks, developments, outsourcing and real estate finance. Counsel Will Bryant is an integral member of the practice; both he and Seymour are praised for their ‘excellent attention to detail and commercial acumen’. Found among the client roster are private equity, debt and sovereign wealth funds in addition to operating partners and family offices.

Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4

Well-versed across both UK and US-law governed debt products, including high-yield bonds and Term Loan B,  Ropes & Gray LLP's three-partner team has a strong reputation advising large multinational corporates on event-driven financings, general corporate lending activity and refinancings. The telecoms sector remains a particular area of focus, as a result of the firm's regular flow of big-ticket financings for Altice and Liberty Global. Michael Kazakevich heads the three-partner team.

Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 4

Ropes & Gray LLP acts on the full gamut of data protection work including the compliance, advisory, enforcement and litigation aspects of data collection, storage and processing. The team is led by Rohan Massey, who advises on cybersecurity issues, the international transfer of data and global compliance programs; his clients are in the retail, life sciences and sports sectors. Clare Sellars stands out for her work on outsourcing and technology service agreements.

Derivatives and structured products Tier 4

The derivatives and structured finance team at Ropes & Gray LLP has an established reputation among asset managers, alternative credit providers, hedge fund managers and private equity firms. Among its anchor clients are Bain Capital, Altice and Western Asset Management, though in 2019, it attracted new clients including Bidfair. The practice does not handle commoditised flow work but specialises in more bespoke and complex products, predominantly for buy-side clients. This work encompasses hedging, regulatory advice, structured repo real estate finance transactions and the establishment of CLO equity funds, as well as European warehousing and CLO transactions. Lead partner Anna Lawry has broad experience in derivatives and structured products, as well as niche expertise in the use of derivatives by UCITS and pension funds.

Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 4

Acquisition finance Tier 5

'Aware of the balance between getting good terms for their clients and achieving progress', Ropes & Gray LLP's team is appreciated by borrowers, in particular, for its ability to advise on complex big-ticket deals involving UK and US debt products, including New York-governed high yield bonds. As well as advising on pure sponsor-led mandates, the team also continues to represent global multinational behemoths, Liberty Global and Altice, on their acquisition financing requirements. New York-qualified partner Michael Kazakevich heads a team that also includes the 'knowledgeable' Carol Van der Vorst, who has effectively raised the firm's profile on the underwriter side since her arrival from Goldman Sachs in 2018. Mike Goetz recently retired.

Corporate tax Tier 5

Ropes & Gray LLP's team has core strengths in tax issues related to private equity, fund formation, real estate, banking and finance. It has experience of handling large cross-border transactions, drawing on the firm's presence globally. Brenda Coleman, who leads the European tax practice, has a specialism in international tax planning. Andrew Howard focuses on financing transactions and private equity deals.

Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6

Asset management specialist Ropes & Gray LLP has expertise in fund formation, Brexit work and transactional advice, as well as derivatives and structured products. The ‘excellent’ Eve Ellis joined from O'Melveny in 2019 and is strong in financial services regulation, providing ‘commercially sensible and legally robust solutions’. She co-leads the team with Anna Lawry, who focuses on derivatives and regulation.

Property finance Tier 6

Private equity real estate transactions are the core area of expertise for Ropes & Gray LLP, which handles both domestic and European mandates. Practice head David Seymour is heavily focused on this area and also advises debt funds, endowments and sovereign wealth funds on their property portfolios.

EU and competition Tier 7

Ropes & Gray LLP's London competition offering focuses on merger control issues, global cartel matters and contentious work. The department is also able to draw upon the expertise of the firm's lawyers in the US. Practice head Ruchit Patel has extensive experience handling Asia-related antitrust mandates. Associate Ian Hastings joined from Simmons & Simmons in January 2020.

United States > Media, technology and telecoms > Cyber law (including data privacy and data protection) Tier 3