Sidley Austin LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Sidley Austin LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 2

Sidley Austin LLP is known for its ‘customer focus, tailor-made solutions and attention to client-specific needs and circumstances‘. The practice led by David Howe is adept in investment-grade deals for corporate and financial institution issuers, though it is increasingly active in non-investment grade for private equity sponsors, and debt restructurings. Todd Gilbert is the firm’s lynchpin for issuer-side US private placement transactions in Europe. Though predominantly active in high yield debt, Alan Grinceri handles a broad range of New York law, European and Asian debt offerings. Gilbert and Grinceri recently handled a $760m restructuring exercise for a global customer relationship management and business process outsourcing service provider. The ‘sharp-witted‘ Omar Shafi is a key adviser to some of the firm’s flagship corporate and bank clients. He worked with Howe to assist a global soft drinks company with English and New York law issues concerning the issuance of €700m in notes. Nigel D.J. Wilson retired in 2023. The team has been recently bolstered with the hiring of David Stewart from Latham & Watkins.

Finance > Derivatives and structured products Tier 2

Sidley Austin LLP climbs the ranking this year and is best known for its expertise in structured products, notably repackagings, synthetic securitisations, and regulatory capital trades, as well as related contentious matters. It is also highly active in structured products involving direct lending loans, and commercial real estate assets. This work accompanies the work of its strong regulatory advisory practice, and a growing volume of work on derivatives for corporates and private equity clients. Structured products partner Rupert Wall is the standout practitioner, with recognised derivatives specialist and senior associate Netanya Clixby emerging as a real talent in the practice. Clixby’s work spans advice on ISDA master agreements, prime brokerage documentation, securities lending, and repurchase agreements for both buy-side and sell-side clients. Nick Brittain retired from the firm.

Finance > Securitisation Tier 2

Sidley Austin LLP has a deep bench of securitisation lawyers handling complex and innovative deals. The firm has a long pedigree in the market and continues to adapt to clients’ needs, currently focusing on bilateral securitisations across many asset classes, as well as maintaining an active CLO practice. Head of the global finance group Rupert Wall is a key adviser to some of the biggest CLO managers in the world, though he also acts for collateral managers, arrangers and investors. His pure securitisation work includes a €500m direct lending deal for a global investment bank. Emerging talent Emilie Stewart is highly active in real estate-backed and NPL transactions. In the junior ranks, Azeem Sulemanji is tipped for a bright future, having been heavily involved in CLOs, large auto securitisations and significant NPL deals. Nick Brittain retired from practice.

Industry focus > Life sciences and healthcare Tier 2

Known for its ability to handle regulatory issues relating to orphan drugs, cell and gene therapy products, and digital health tools, Sidley Austin LLP is additionally active across areas including product liability, cybersecurity, M&A, and collaborations and licencing. Maria Isabel Manley leads the life sciences team for Sidley's office in London and frequently brings her knowledge of EU and UK regulatory and competition law to bear when representing clients before regulatory authorities. Robert Darwin is a key contact for global life sciences and healthcare corporations looking to do transactions. James Wood is well-placed to handle M&A work in the sector. Solicitor advocate Chris Boyle, and Zina Chatzidimitriadou, who excels in market access strategy matters, are further recommended.

Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 3

Drawing upon a ‘great diversity of transaction experience across multiple asset classes and throughout the capital structure’, Sidley Austin LLP provides ‘super commercial and very responsive’ advice to a borrower-focused client base engaged in new money deals as well as refinancing work for portfolio companies. James Crooks ‘brings a huge amount of market insight and knowledge to every transaction’, ensuring that he is able to ‘guide clients deftly through how and where to push on terms’. The practice was recently bolstered by the arrival of Joe Kimberling, as well as new joint practice heads Sam Hamilton and Jay Sadanandan, all of whom joined from Latham & Watkins.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 3

Sidley Austin LLP has achieved considerable success acting as a standalone team as well as by effectively leveraging other key practice areas and international offices at the firm. This is best exemplified by its continued work for beleaguered Chinese real estate companies, where the team works alongside the firm’s Hong Kong capital markets practice which advised on the original high-yield debt issuances now in need of restructuring in light of market conditions. The team is also active in UK and European situations, where as well as company-side work it also regularly acts for distressed investors and creditors. Former practice heads Jifree Cader and Mark Knight have since left the firm.

Insurance > Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 3

Leading insurers, reinsurers, brokers and investors in the insurance sector turn to Sidley Austin LLP‘s insurance and financial services group for its ‘outstanding partners in insurance transactional and regulatory practice’. The practice is particularly strong in the private equity space and assists clients with their entry into the insurance sector. Led by the highly regarded Martin Membery, the practice also benefits from the support of James Phythian-Adams, who specialises in cross-border transactional and regulatory insurance mandates.

Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing Tier 3

Praised for its ‘high-quality, commercially driven advice’, Sidley Austin LLP bolstered its bench strength with the hires of James MacArthur and Ed Freeman from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in April 2023; both MacArthur and Freeman are noted for their expert knowledge of international markets. Alongside their global finance colleagues, the duo handle the full range of M&A, PE, joint venture, and debt finance mandates, working for both distinguished players and newly established funds. Further names to note include Ramy Wahbeh, who joined the firm from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2023. Wahbeh is an experienced private equity specialist who regularly works with financial sponsors across a range of infrastructure-related M&A mandates. Emilie Stewart and James Crooks are both noted for their extensive debt finance expertise, as is Ben Thompson, who joined the practice in May 2024 from Travers Smith LLP.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech: regulatory Tier 3

Payment systems and processors, issuers and acquirers of e-money and digital payment instruments, and investment funds are among the clients which seek out Sidley Austin LLP‘s fintech team. Leonard Ng heads up the team and frequently assists payment clients who provide regulated investment services. AML and sanctions work relating to the payments sector is a key strength for Rachpal K. Thind.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP‘s team has strength ‘in both technical knowledge and being commercial’, and is active in the full range of transactions. Jason Menzies is active for clients across Europe and Asia, as well as domestically, while Steve Quinn, who made partner in 2023, adds key strength in finance and capital markets.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: contentious Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP maintains a strong practice on behalf of large, sophisticated international entities and individuals seeking advice and representation when faced with reputation or career threatening issues, often at the intersection of financial crime and regulatory enforcement. Much of this work is of a cross-border nature, with the team working well with other offices including in the US and Asia. Sara George is ‘truly exceptional’ and has vast experience representing clients accused of a variety of regulatory infractions, including as they relate to insider trading, market manipulation and money laundering.

Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 4

Praised for its ‘encyclopedic knowledge’, Sidley Austin LLP regularly advises on a range of mandates concerning UK/EU securitisation regulation, investment funds, payment services, consumer credit and mortgage regulation, in addition to anti-money laundering and financial sanctions compliance. ‘Highly personable and respected across the industry’, Leonard Ng leads the team and advises global financial institutions on Brexit, crypto-assets, sustainable finance and ESG regulation. Max Savoie delivers ‘highly commercial, pragmatic and tailored’ advice on matters concerning UK and EU payment services regulation.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£500m+) Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP significantly bolstered its London private equity offering through the hire of Ramy Wahbeh and Kaisa Kuusk from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in June 2023, further strengthening the complex, cross-border M&A capability among its bench of advisers. Wahbeh heads up the practice alongside the London office’s Managing Partner Tom Thesing. Wahbeh and Kuusk are chiefly noted for their extensive work with Apollo Global Management as well as a number of its investment funds and portfolio companies. The duo join a team which also includes Adam Runcorn, who handles leveraged buyouts, investments, and debt and equity restructurings for a broad client base, particularly in the sports world.

Crime, fraud and licensing > Fraud: white-collar crime (advice to individuals) Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP leverages its global network of offices to provide a white-collar crime and investigations offering with notable strength in multijurisdictional mandates. ‘Truly exceptional‘ former FSA prosecutor Sara George leads the London team and has extensive experience representing both individuals and corporations accused of market abuse, insider trading, and money laundering offences. The core team also includes David Smith, who handles SFO investigations and antitrust issues.

Dispute resolution > Banking litigation: investment and retail Tier 4

Drawing on the firm’s international network, Sidley Austin LLP’s ‘outstanding banking litigation service’ excels in multi-jurisdictional banking litigation. Boasting ‘broad and deep experience combined with technical expertise’, Matthew Shankland leads the team. Alastair Hopwood demonstrates prowess in cross-border disputes, with litigation experience at all levels of English courts and in offshore jurisdictions. Promoted to partner in January 2024, Sarah Lainchbury’s broad financial services and banking litigation practice ranges from structured and leveraged finance, derivatives, and security enforcement disputes, to contentious restructurings and insolvencies.

Real estate > Commercial property: investment Tier 4

With significant experience in cross-border transactions, Sidley Austin LLP is well-versed in direct and indirect investments and joint venture support. Emilie Stewart and Jack Mayall are further names of noted within the team.

Risk advisory > Data protection, privacy and cybersecurity Tier 4

Sidley Austin LLP‘s data protection team in London forms an integral part of the firm’s global privacy and cybersecurity practice, and is particularly active on behalf of clients based across the UK and EU; William Long acts as co-chair of the international offering, as well as leading the UK and EU branch. The regulated industries, particularly life sciences and financial services, are key areas of focus. Francesca Blythe is singled out for her ‘pragmatic approach‘.

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

Sara George leads the white-collar defence and investigations team at Sidley Austin LLP, which leverages the firm’s global reach to provide a interdisciplinary offering with strength in cross-border and multijurisdictional mandates. George is an experienced financial crime specialist and former FSA prosecutor with extensive experience advising corporate clients on market abuse, insider dealing, money laundering, and corruption issues. Working alongside George is litigator Samantha Cumming, whose expertise encompasses matters involving allegations of financial misconduct, corruption, bribery, and fraud.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 5

Sidley Austin LLP represents a host of international clients in litigation, both before UK courts and courts in other jurisdictions. Matthew Shankland heads the team, as well as co-leading the firm’s global commercial litigation team; his experience spans shareholder, ontractual, and financial disputes. Andrew Fox’s diverse practice sees him advising on commercial disputes related to commodities brokerage, oil and gas logistics, and branding and licensing. Alastair Hopwood excels in cross-border disputes, including litigation in offshore jurisdictions. Sarah Lainchbury was promoted to partner in January 2024.

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 5

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 6

Offering a competition service that is well-placed to assist on multi-billion dollar, cross-border deals, Sidley Austin LLP leverages its integrated European offering to provide strategic guidance in cartel investigations and market studies. The team is led by the Brussels-based Ken Daly. Patrick Harrison, a dual-qualified (English and Belgian) practitioner, maintains a busy practice, advising on UK and EU matters, while Vincent Brophy has recently been involved in major transactions within the insurance and employment sectors.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ Tier 6

Active across the insurance, energy, and infrastructure sectors, the M&A team at Sidley Austin LLP continues to handle a steady stream of deals for a diverse portfolio of clients. The team is noted for its ability to handle multi-jurisdictional transactions, leveraging its global network to assist on matters. Steering the practice is Thomas M. Thesing, whose practice encompasses cross-border M&A, corporate finance, and corporate governance. Philip Cheveley has a wealth of experience advising clients on cross-border and domestic public takeovers, mergers, acquisitions, and disposals, while James Wood is rountinely instructed by senior client stakeholders on a range of transactions.

Real estate > Property finance Tier 6

Fielding a cross-practice offering, the Sidley Austin LLP global finance team, led by Rupert Wall, works closely with the firm’s real estate team, advising a range of private equity firms, alternative investment managers, and real estate investment trusts. Emilie Stewart regularly handles loan-on-loan and real estate backed non-performance loans across Europe.

Finance > High yield

Industry focus > TMT

Worldwide > Capital markets Tier 1

United States > Finance > Financial services regulation

Sidley Austin LLP‘s provides comprehensive regulatory, transactional, enforcement, and litigation services to financial institutions across the sector. The team advises on complex regulatory frameworks, compliance matters, acquisitions, and product development, drawing on extensive cross-border experience. The firm is also at the forefront of financial technology developments, assisting clients with issues related to virtual currency, blockchain, marketplace lending, and mobile payments. The practice has a strong focus on financial institution M&A, private equity investments, and joint ventures, handling transactions that require deep regulatory knowledge and multi-jurisdictional expertise. It also advises on capital markets matters, large securities offerings, and complex financings. Additionally, the team frequently counsels non-U.S. banks on governance, risk management, and US regulatory requirements, including licensing and compliance with the Bank Secrecy Act and other banking laws. The practice is led by David Teitelbaum and Joel Feinberg in Washington DC.