Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 1

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP’s London international arbitration group comprises ‘very smart, dedicated group of individuals who can turn around a great pleading at a moment’s notice’. The practice encompasses both commercial and investor-state disputes, while the team conducts its own advocacy for international arbitrations. Leading the Europe international litigation and arbitration group, Kate Davies KC is an international commercial and investment treaty arbitration specialist; David Kavanagh KC, is a ‘superb tactician‘; David Edwards is ‘the kind of lawyer clients want to have‘; Daniel Gal KC has extensive experience in commercial arbitration and investment treaty disputes; and Bruce Macaulay‘s practice incorporates international arbitration work. At counsel level, Nicholas Adams‘ workload covers ad hoc arbitrations; and Devika Khopkar is experienced in investor-state arbitrations, as well as India-related claims. The associate to note is international commercial arbitration practitioner Peter Beaumont.

Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 2

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP fields a team well regarded for their M&A expertise, with experience in a diverse range of jurisdictions, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America. Team lead James Anderson, praised by clients for his ‘incredible legal and market knowledge‘, handles public and private capital markets matters. Alex Jupp has a broad practice, which includes M&A, restructurings, and tax disputes. Also key are counsel Jisun Choi, who has broad transactions experience and key expertise in the insurance sector, and international tax specialist Joseph Hone, who was promoted to European counsel in 2023. Associate Elizabeth Spencer covers international corporate, capital markets, and fund matters.

Corporate and commercial > M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ Tier 2

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP provides the ‘highest levels of excellent service’ according to clients, with an integrated transatlantic offering of English and US law, experience across a variety of M&A matters and Takeover Code expertise. The practice has been expanding its remit with FTSE 100-listed companies and offers multi-faceted support on  transactions through strong capabilities in shareholder activism, antitrust, foreign investment, white collar crime and regulatory risk. Team leaders include global transactions head Lorenzo Corte, an expert in cross-border transactions, contested takeovers, de-SPAC transactions and corporate governance work, and UK corporate co-heads George Knighton, who is known for his broad experience in M&A, private equity and restructuring transactions and private equity specialist Katja Butler . Other key players include public M&A specialist Scott Hopkins, who is well-versed in advising companies on legal and regulatory responsibilities, and the ‘superlative’ Simon Toms, who specialises in the technology, fintech, media and telecoms sectors . John Adebiyi offers extensive knowledge and advice in relation to UK national security aspects of M&A and private equity transactions. ‘Go-to partner’ Bruce Embley regularly handles work for a range of client including international corporations and financial sponsors while  Denis Klimentchenko regularly handles M&A and corporate financings. Ani Kusheva has significant experience in public company takeovers, joint ventures and private equity transactions. Counsel Sarah Knapp handles cross-border corporate transactions. The team continues to grow in terms of its client roster and   bench strength, and notably added insurance M&A specialist Robert Chaplin from Slaughter and May  in late 2022. Chaplin has a transactional and advisory insurance offering with extensive experience in matters involving insurers, portfolio companies, financial sponsors and private capital-owned vehicles.

Finance > Debt capital markets Tier 2

At Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, ‘the team covers all aspects of DCM work and is very professional in how it deals with even the most complex structures‘. The firm acts for issuers, underwriters and many other market participants in complex, cross-border deals, notably Yankee bonds, and it has considerable English and US law capability in the London office. ‘We have been impressed with the thoroughness of the document production and their proactive project management‘, says a client of the practice led by European head of capital markets Danny Tricot, who recently acted for world-leading medical technology business Becton, Dickinson and Company on the establishment of its its $2.75bn multi-currency euro commercial paper programme. US capital markets partner James McDonaldand associate James Michelson, who assisted Tricot with Nokia’s €700m tender offer for notes issued under its EMTN programme,  are key players in the practice.

Insurance > Insurance: corporate and regulatory Tier 2

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP has an established presence in the transactional space, advising on a number of high-profile and significant corporate and financial deals for private equity, brokerage, and insurance carrier clients. The insurance team ‘interact seamlessly with other teams within the firm‘ and has the wider firm’s global footprint to draw upon to assist in major mandates across the UK and the US. The firm’s reputation in the insurance sector has been enhanced by the hire of Robert Chaplin from Slaughter and May in October 2022, bringing his ‘many years of top tier experience in the insurance space, a brain the size of a planet and an impressive ability to translate legal complexity into a practical way forward on complex insurance regulatory issues.‘ He joins Robert Stirling, who has an established reputation in insurance and asset management work.

Risk advisory > Corporate governance Tier 2

Corporate heavyweight Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP advises on the governance aspects of high-profile domestic and international M&A deals, as well as providing strategic advice to boards of directors, and advice around corporate disclosure, activism and listing issues. George Knighton heads the team and is well versed in advising on public and private M&A, as well as private equity transactions and governance issues. Scott Hopkins is strong in cross-border deals, regulatory responsibilities, and directors’ duties and liability issues, while Simon Toms, another corporate practitioner, is experienced in the tech, fintech, media and telecoms sectors. Elizabeth Robertson is a contact for white-collar crime and investigations.

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

A recognised leader in the corporate crime and regulatory space, the Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP team uses its European offices and strong US practice to deliver bespoke advice regarding multi-jurisdictional criminal investigations conducted by the SFO, US DOJ, and SEC. The ‘first-class’ service covers all aspects of money laundering, corruption, and sanctions issues, along with special expertise assisting corporations with developing and enhancing their compliance programmes. The head, Ryan Junck, is described as a ‘go-to partner’, bringing vast experience handling cross-border financial crime proceedings and knowledge on market abuse matters to the team, while Elizabeth Robertson focuses on criminal tax cases and governance issues. Andrew Good is an expert on bribery and corruption affairs, regularly working with US enforcement agencies. European counsel Vanessa McGoldrick concentrates on investigations around corporate misconduct. Counsel Bora Rawcliffe is also noted.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – mid-large cap Tier 3

Noted for its particular expertise in SPAC and de-SPAC transactions, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s capital markets practice handles the full range of public and private financings, US Rule 144A securities offerings, and listings on major European and US stock exchanges. Danny Tricot leads the team and acts for issuers and underwriters on a broad range of equity and debt transactions. Maria Protopapa is noted, acting for clients in cross-border restructurings and capital market transactions.

Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 3

Praised by clients for its 'fantastic work ethic and commercial approach', Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP's City private equity practice is engaged by numerous leading buyout houses and portfolio companies for assistance with multi-billion-dollar transactions. Practice head Richard Youle, who also now serves as head of Skadden's London office, continues to handle a range of high-value international deals.  Katja Butler - co-head of the UK corporate practice - works with some of the firm's top clients on investment deals and acquisitions, while Bruce Embley leverages his capabilities in M&A to advise on a host of sponsor-side and portfolio company mandates. Steven Hannah is also noted for his active sponsor-focused practice. Further names to note include George Gray and counsel Chetan Sheth, while fellow counsel Alex McCarney joined the team from Latham & Watkins in December 2022.

Dispute resolution > Public international law Tier 3

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP (Skadden)’s acts in investment treaty arbitrations involving PIL and treaty interpretation issues. It also houses sanctions experts. David Kavanagh KC represents governments and investors in investment treaty disputes; and Ryan Junck leads the European litigation/controversy practices. Other key practitioners include multi-jurisdictional business crime expert Elizabeth Robertson, investment treaty disputes silk Daniel Gal KC, and European counsel Devika Khopkar, who is experienced in India-related disputes. Kate Davies KC recently joined from Allen & Overy LLP to lead the practice, and Karyl Nairn KC departed to become a deputy High Court judge.

Finance > High yield Tier 3

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP handles a diverse mix of high yield work for lenders and borrowers, private equity sponsors, issuers and underwriters, be it new issuance, bridge financings, leveraged acquisitions, refinancing or recapitalisations. The firm’s integrated M&A and finance practices make leveraged finance a key focus, though the London office is also able to advise on regulatory and compliance matters under both English and US law. European head of capital markets Danny Tricot oversees the firm’s high yield work, for which James McDonald is the standout partner. Tricot assisted Ashtead Group with a $750m notes offering, while McDonald acted for passenger and freight ferry operator Stena on a cash offer for $265m in notes. Pranav Trivedi, whose work includes IPOs, privatisations and cross-border M&A, also plays a key role in high yield bond offerings.

Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations Tier 4

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP‘s tax controversy team works across Europe and the US on complex cross-border disputes, including EU-wide tax audits, transfer pricing matters, and major commercial disputes between private parties. James Anderson, who is head of the firm’s European tax practice, co-leads the team alongside international arbitration expert David Kavanagh KC. Kate Davies KC and Alex Jupp are further key names.

Employment > Employee share schemes Tier 4

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP acts in a number of incentives and remuneration arrangements of corporate transactions, alongside a range of advisory matters which span the day-to-day operation of incentive programmes, renumeration structures and executive appointments and departures. Team head and ‘go-to adviser’ Louise Batty is an expert on mandates that concern cross-border compliance with governance and regulatory rules. Kate Crompton is equipped to advise on the establishment and operation of employee benefit trusts.

Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 4

With ‘a great work ethic’, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP provides an ‘exceptional service’, frequently working alongside its corporate and private equity practices, on behalf of a debtor-focused client base that includes both corporates and sponsors. ‘Very commercial‘ team head Pete Coulton ‘fights for what matters’ for his clients and is a popular choice on large cross-border leveraged and event-driven financings, often involving complex financing structures. Clive Wells handles some investment grade acquisition financing mandates as part of his wide-ranging finance practice.

Finance > Bank lending: investment grade debt and syndicated loans Tier 4

Benefitting from deep knowledge of UK and US law governed finance products throughout the capital structure (including in relation to New York-law governed high yield), Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is well-positioned to advise its corporate client base across the spectrum of their finance needs. Team head Pete Coulton is at the forefront of this work, including on event-driven financings for multinational corporates and financing work for private equity portfolio clients in relation to bolt-on acquisitions. Clive Wells is also a key member of the team and has a wide level of expertise of corporate lending mandates, including where pricing is dependent on sustainability metrics.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 5

Elite US firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is known for its ‘exceptional team of litigators for the largest cases’ – the team has a track record of work on landmark disputes for multinational companies and major domestics, handling contentious matters concerning M&A, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, and directors’ duties. Kate Davies KC leads the team that consists of David Kavanagh KC, ‘one of the best litigators in the City of London’, ‘heavyweight litigator’ David Edwards and Bruce Macaulay, who ‘stands out for his fantastic judgement and cool, calm presence’. Daniel Gal KC is noted.

Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 5

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is involved for a debtor-focused client base in a significant number of major cross-border mandates, often working closely with associated practice areas including capital markets, corporate and disputes. Much of this work has a transatlantic angle, which the firm is able to handle out of London, as well as by collaborating with the market-leading US offering. Team head Peter Newman excels in this work, bringing as he does vast knowledge of US and English restructuring and insolvency procedures and how these interact with various jurisdictions in continental Europe. Newman also advises on creditor engagements, bringing ‘a calm demeanour to complex and stressful situations and looks to develop practical solutions to difficult problems’. 

Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 5

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP advises a broad client base of asset managers and sovereign wealth funds. Practice head Greg Norman is noted for having a great deal of expertise in private fund capitalization and structuring, as well as the formation and regulation of private capital sponsors, including investment managers and advisers. Wendy Li and Abigail Reeves are key contributors within the team.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Fintech Tier 5

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is well placed to advise on major M&A transactions, data protection issues, regulatory mandates and international arbitrations. Practice head Simon Toms has a proven track record of advising on corporate transactions in the fintech arena. Azad Ali is equipped to advise on the regulatory aspects of crypto and NFT projects, while Eve-Christie Vermynck brings her knowledge of intellectual property and data protection issues to bear on an array of fintech mandates. Patrick Tsitsaros and Abigail Reeves are further names to note.

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

Corporate and commercial > EU and competition