Nick Brittain > Sidley Austin LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Sidley Austin LLP ‘consistently delivers an extremely professional and rigorous service reflective of the vast knowledge and expertise they have in the field of securitisation‘. ‘Extremely intelligent, commercially savvy‘ head of global finance Rupert Wall is widely regarded as a leading expert on securitisation and the team he leads ‘provides a tailored approach and understands deeply the intricacies of transactions‘. He worked with senior managing associate Azeem Sulemanji and managing associate Rebecca Chambers to assist CVC Credit as collateral manager with more than €1.2bn in new issuance of public European CLOs, including the €400m Cordatus 25 deal. Beyond the CLO space, he also acted for Finland’s leading auto leasing business, Lahi Tapiola, on two STS auto loan securitisations with a total value in excess of €1bn. Senior counsel Nick Brittain is particularly active in asset-backed commercial paper conduits, his recent work including the establishment of a platform for Barclays Bank. Up-and-coming partner Emilie Stewart focuses on structured real estate transactions and NPL financings. One client remarks that ‘there is a low turnover, so you really get to know the people giving you advice and trust that they know the ins and outs of your business‘.

Sidley Austin LLP is known for its work on private loans, bespoke hybrid investments, and repo and repack transactions, as well as CMBS, including both public and privately placed deals. It also advises on asset-based finance, REITs, and leverage financing for real estate businesses. Rupert Wall chairs the finance group in Europe, and works alongside London partners, Nick Brittain, Jade Williams-Adedeji and Emilie Stewart.

At Sidley Austin LLP, ‘the service provided is excellent, extremely responsive and proactive‘. ‘A crucial factor is their ability to handle complex and sophisticated matters, their pragmatic approach to getting the job done, and commercial awareness‘, says a client of the practice led by structured products partner Rupert Wall. He recently acted for Bank of America in two separate structured financings involving underlying middle market/direct-lending loans held within two separate and complicated fund structures. The deals had a cumulative value in excess of £1bn. Senior counsel Nick Brittain is a recognised derivatives specialist and senior associate Netanya Clixby is a key adviser to both buy-side and sell-side clients on derivatives and trading documentation.