Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP > London, England > Firm Profile
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP Offices
110 FETTER LANE
LONDON
EC4A 1AY
England
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings
Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+) Tier 1
‘A first-class outfit with a well-earned reputation for effectiveness and responsiveness‘, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP draws superlative praise from a number of clients for the strength of its sponsor-side transactional practice. Regarded by clients as ‘one of the very best PE lawyers in London‘ Marco Compagnoni – global co-chair of the firm’s private equity practice – regularly works with leading firms and their portfolio companies on high-value acquisitions and disposals. Jonathan Wood‘s broad practice encompasses buyouts, exits, and minority investments, most recently for clients in sectors including tech and professional services. ‘First point of call in an emergency‘ Simon Lyell‘s ‘highly technical‘ but ‘commercial‘ practice spans both buyouts and growth investments. Lewis Blakey‘s recent engagements include big-ticket acquisitions with pan-European and transatlantic dimensions. Max Oppenheimer is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Marco Compagnoni
Other key lawyers:
Michael Francies; Simon Lyell; Jonathan Wood; Lewis Blakey; James Harvey; Max Oppenheimer
Testimonials
‘Weil’s London PE team is a first-class outfit with a well-earned reputation for effectiveness and responsiveness.’
‘Marco Compagnoni stands out as one of the very best PE lawyers in London. He is a great technical lawyer and unites this with a level of client care and attention that is unparalleled. There are many good client lawyers and a fair few technical wizards, but to be both is Marco’s superpower. He also has the drive and wish to win for his client; that makes him the go-to lawyer when a deal is particularly hard to do. His sheer force of personality and mental ingenuity will eliminate obstacles that can block lesser lawyers.’
‘Strong and dedicated team, providing excellent counsel and guidance. Broad suite of services available within the firm with the ability to support clients with off-piste questions and challenges by pulling additional resources from elsewhere within the firm.’
‘Highly skilled individuals with strong commercial acumen and able to propose creative solutions to unlock deadlocks in commercial negotiations. A unique dedication to the provision of excellent service and willing to go the extra mile to ensure the right outcome is achieved for the client.’
‘Very experienced team. Associates are confident and able to play a leading role on transactions.’
‘Simon Lyell acts as valuable counsellor on transactions but also more generally. Commercial in approach but also highly technical. Unflappable. A first point of call in an emergency – you know he’ll get you through it.’
Key clients
HIG Technology Partners
Bain Capital Tech Ops
Apollo YInvestcorp
65 Equity Partners
One Investment Management
Advent International
Advent Tech
Bain Capital
Bain Capital Credit
Providence Equity
Providence Strategic Growth
Berkshire Partners
Ontario Teachers’
CVC
General Atlantic
TCV
OMERS
Blackstone Growth
Public Sector Pension Investment Board
Sun European Partners
Generation Investment Management
Canada Pension Plan Investment Board
TPG
M&G Investment Management
Montagu Private Equity
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Aleph Capital
PAI Partners
A&M Capital Europe
Global Infrastructure Partners
Wren House Infrastructure Management
FitzWalter Capital
Cobham
Kantar
Howden
Laird
Ardian
Work highlights
- Advised Advent International on the carve out acquisition of Kerry plc’s Sweet Ingredients portfolio.
- Advised CVC on its acquisition of Radwell International.
- Advised Bain Capital and Bain Tech Opportunities on the acquisition, together with Nextalia, of Deltatre.
Finance > Acquisition finance Tier 1
Drawing on deep product knowledge throughout the capital structure and taking on instructions from a balanced roster of debtor and creditor-side clients across the spectrum of deal sizes, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP‘s banking practice has maintained strong deal flow in spite of the economic and geopolitical headwinds facing the market. On the borrower front, Tom Richards has strong ties with many large private equity sponsors, including Advent and Bain Capital, which are appreciative of his willingness to fight their corner on deals whether or not the firm itself was involved in the underlying corporate aspects of the M&A. On the lender side, as well as her deep connections with commercial/investment banking clients, Reena Gogna has also successfully broadened her practice to include work for a myriad of private credit funds. Other recommended practitioners include Alastair McVeigh, for credit fund work, and Paul Hibbert for infrastructure finance, as well as practice co-head Chris McLaughlin.Practice head(s):
Chris McLaughlin; Tom Richards; Reena Gogna
Other key lawyers:
Paul Hibbert; Paul Stewart; Alastair McVeigh
Key clients
Bain Capital
Advent International
Ardian
Montagu
A&M Capital Europe
OMERS
Permira
CVC
PAI Partners
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Sculptor Capital
Ares Management
Arcmont
Alcentra
Apollo Management
Goldman Sachs
PSP
KKR
Mudrick Capital
Permira/Permira Credit
HPS
Work highlights
Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency Tier 1
Leveraging ‘excellent experience on the restructuring side, combined with a strong understanding of the markets and an innovative approach’, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is a popular choice among debtors and creditors in many of the highest-profile mandates in the market, both from a corporate restructuring perspective, as well as on formal insolvencies. The versatility of the team was further enhanced in June 2022 by the arrival of Lois Deasey from Akin, a practitioner who is as comfortable handling complex bondholder work as she is advising debtors. The team is co-headed by Neil Devaney and Andrew Wilkinson , who are both able to impart considerable wisdom and commercial nous on sophisticated cross-border mandates involving complex layers of debt and are well-versed at implementing restructurings both through European processes as well as US Chapter 11. Mark Lawford is ‘very strong’ at handling formal insolvency matters including in the context of demanding insolvency litigation matters. Gemma Sage is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Andrew Wilkinson; Neil Devaney
Other key lawyers:
Mark Lawford; Gemma Sage; Matt Benson; Jenny Davidson; Lois Deasey
Testimonials
‘The team has excellent experience on the restructuring side, combined with a strong understanding of the markets and an innovative approach.’
‘The team has a very knowledgeable and adept restructuring practice; well plugged in with FAs, other advisors; responsive, creative and credible.’
‘Neil Devaney, Lois Deasey and Matt Benson all stand out for their depth of knowledge, commercial orientation, and user-friendliness.’
‘Mark Lawford is very strong.’
Key clients
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders for Nordic Aviation Capital
Scandinavian Airlines AB
National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation
Lehman Brothers Holding
Telford Offshore Group
Petropavlovsk
David Soden and Ian Wormleighton, the Joint Liquidators of Paragon Offshore plc (in liquidation)
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (in respect of the Cineworld Chapter 11 case)
Ad Hoc Committee of Bondholders of Zambia
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders of Frigoglass
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders in relation to Yandex
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders of Ukraine’s sovereign debt
Stephen Browne and David Soden as Joint Administrators of VTB Capital (in administration)
Work highlights
- Advised an ad hoc group of secured lenders in relation to the $6bn+ financial restructuring of Nordic Aviation Capital DAC.
- Advised Scandinavian Airlines on its financial restructuring.
- Advised Telford Offshore group of companies in connection with a balance sheet and corporate restructuring.
Finance > High yield Tier 2
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP has seen the personnel in its high yield team change significantly with the departure of Patrick Bright and his team to Paul Hastings LLP, but the firm has been quick to recruit highly experienced partners to continue its growth trajectory. The firm hired ‘strong, reliable high yield bond expert‘ Andy Hagan from Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP, who leads the practice with another new recruit Gilles Teerlinck , who joined from White & Case LLP . Nitin Konchady is another key lawyer in the team, which continues to advise top-tier sponsors, investment banks and bond investors on complex and high-profile acquisition financings and refinancings. Konchady recently advised an ad hoc group of bondholders in relation to their holdings of Yandex’s $1.25bn convertible notes in light of sanctions imposed following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The firm’s new hires significantly bolster its capability to represent both corporate issuers and private equity sponsors.Practice head(s):
Andy Hagan; Gilles Teerlinck;
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘They have been investing heavily in the last year in putting together a stellar team in high yield and more generally in their London office. Highly focused on getting things done, very smart and efficient.’
‘Andrew Hagan is the absolute go-to guy for our high-yield work. He is brilliant technically, very efficient and a pleasure to work with. Hiring him was a major coup.’
‘Strong, broad leveraged finance practice with high quality clients driving their market experience.’
‘Andy Hagan is a strong, reliable high yield bond expert.’
Key clients
Advent International (sponsor)
Bain Capital (sponsor)
Advent International Stirling Square Capital (sponsor)
TowerBrook Capital Partners (sponsor)
Paprec (corporate issuer)
The Very Group (corporate issuer)
Morgan Stanley (underwriter)
Goldman Sachs (underwriter)
Odeon / AMC Entertainment (corporate issuer)
Kiloutou (corporate issuer)
Biofarma (Kepler Sp.A.) (corporate issuer)
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders for Nordic Aviation Capital (restructuring)
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders in relation to Yandex (restructuring)
Ad Hoc Group of Bondholders of Ukraine’s sovereign debt (restructuring)
Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (in respect of the Cineworld Chapter 11 case)
Work highlights
- Issuer counsel to Odeon / AMC Entertainment’s $400 million 12.750% Senior Secured Notes Due 2027.
- Advisor on US, English and French law to the initial purchasers of Verisure Holding AB (publ)’s €500 million 9.25% Secured Notes due 2027.
- Advisor on US and English law to Biofarma (Kepler S.p.A.) as issuer on its €345 million Senior Secured Floating Rate Notes due 2029.
Finance > Securitisation Tier 2
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is best known for its leading role in the CLO market, in which it acts for leading players Apollo, M&G, Fair Oaks, RBC BlueBay and Guggenheim, among others. The firm also handles a broader range of securitisations. Head of the London structured finance and derivatives practice Jacky Kelly is widely recognised for her skill in transactions covering diverse asset classes, among them pan-European auto fleet rentals, residential property bridging loans, shopping catalogue receivables, and broadcasting receivables. She advised Guggenheim Securities on an innovative transaction to securitise Syco Entertainment's intellectual property in the 'Got Talent' franchise across 72 territories. Kelly and associate Luke Stowe 'have a deep understanding of the European CLO space and provide solid advice on transactions and potential regulatory issues'. Key partner Brian Maher recently acted for Apollo Management International LLP and Redding Ridge Asset Management in a range of new CLO issuances, refinancing and warehouse transactions, including the offering the €452m RRE 11 deal. 'The whole team, from partner to associate, works well together and focuses on supporting the client', remarks one client.Practice head(s):
Jacky Kelly
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘During a long career I have been a client of many leading law firms and I have pleasure to report that the team at Weil stands out for a number of reasons: quality of the people, understanding of the CLO product, flexibility, practicality, pragmatism, friendliness, humility.’
‘The team has strong knowledge around the European CLO space and is very responsive to working to meet tight deadlines. The team is also responsive to ad hoc questions/concerns.’
‘Jacky Kelly (partner) and Luke Stowe (associate) have a deep understanding of the European CLO space and provide solid advice on transactions and potential regulatory issues.’
‘Highly experienced team with deep market knowledge. Approachable, considered and collaborative.’
‘The whole team, from partner to associate, works well together and focuses on supporting the client.’
‘The team is very responsive and has excellent knowledge of our business and the sector which translates into commercial and effective advice. Our deals are well consistently staffed and they are very communicative on timelines and great at managing process.’
Key clients
Deutsche Bank
Apollo
Guggenheim Securities
Goldman Sachs
The Very Group/Shop Direct
M&G
Redding Ridge Asset Management
RBC BlueBay Asset Management
Brigade Capital
Fair Oaks Capital
Guggenheim Partners
Maslow Capital
Nuveen Alternative Advisors
Work highlights
- Advising Guggenheim Securities on Syco (Simon Cowell) Entertainment’s £125 million securitisation of the intellectual property in the Got Talent franchise.
- Advising Apollo / Redding Ridge on multiple large CLOs in 2022 and 2023 (new issuances called RRE 11 (selected by Creditflux as New CLO of the Year), RRE 12, RRE 14 and RRE15) and refinancings, CLO warehouses, termination of existing deals and regulatory advice.
- Represented a private fund as senior financier of a facility to fund diamond inventory and receivables in the UK and various European jurisdictions originated by a European gem business.
Investment fund formation and management > Private funds Tier 2
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP advises on numerous fundraisings, in addition to ongoing fund management issues for a varied range of clients, which notably includes Oakley, Actis, and decarbonisation fund Just Climate. The team is led by the highly experienced Ed Gander, recommended for his expertise in raising venture capital, private equity, infrastructure, real estate, impact and credit funds. GP stake transactions and GP led secondaries expert James Bromley, and co-investments specialist Stephen Fox are also essential to the team. Further key names include James Sargent, whose areas of expertise include continuation funds and fund recapitalisation processes, and Marc Schubert, who is noted for his regulatory expertise. Jacquelyn Volpe was promoted to partner in January 2023.Practice head(s):
Ed Gander
Other key lawyers:
James Bromley; Stephen Fox; James Sargent; Jacquelyn Volpe; Marc Schubert
Testimonials
‘Market leading practice for fund formation for the following reasons – commercial and pragmatic, highly responsive, well resourced with strength in depth, great source of market data, in-house regulatory capability and US capability is useful.’
‘Ed Gander is highly commercial, pragmatic and responsive.’
‘Great synergy between the lawyers.’
‘First and foremost, what stands out is the team. Weil is always ready to support us in our needs, is pragmatic in their approach, and is transparent about status of the project.’
‘The transactions have conducted themselves smoothly, and the team remains available for post-project questions and discussions.’
‘Pleasant people to work with, showcasing professionalism and skill in both legal expertise and negotiation support.’
‘They are a very hands-on, partner-led and client services focused firm. The team are very commercial, very knowledgeable of the sector and have a wide aperture of experience across private funds. They have grown market share and that’s down to the quality of the team and how they operate.’
‘James Bromley is incredibly knowledgeable, commercial, client-friendly and has a diverse background of experience that makes him well suited to his role. His opinions are highly valued by clients and he is a trusted advisor.’
Key clients
Generation Investment Management
PAI Partners
Just Climate
InfraRed
Lazard
bd-Capital
M&G Catalyst
Px3
Blue Horizon
Aleph
Actis
Ashgrove Capital
Astarte Capital
Dalmore
Graphite Capital
Gyrus
Wovenlight
CapMan
PATRIZIA
Oakley
Argos Wityu
Work highlights
- Acts as international funds counsel for PAI Partners on the launch and closings of this PAI successor fund, PAI Partners VIII – having acted on the predecessor fund.
- Advising Actis in relation to the development, launch and closing of the Actis Long Life Infrastructure Fund II. The fund represents the continued extension of Actis’ fund product suite and an expansion of this new Actis business line.
- Acting on the creation of a new business for Generation Investment Management – Just Climate – which seeks to catalyse and channel capital into companies and projects which have the potential to decarbonise the economy.
Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds Tier 2
‘Incredibly helpful from both a legal and commercial perspective’, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP’s private funds group focuses on several key asset classes: private equity; real assets, including infrastructure, impact and sustainability; and credit. Practice head Ed Gander has over 25 years of experience in fundraising, and is supported by James Sargent, who acts for global fund managers on the establishment and operation of funds, co-investment platforms and on GP-led secondaries. James Bromley acts for fund managers and investors on GP-stake transactions and GP-led secondaries, while Jacquelyn Volpe, who was promoted to partner in January 2023, handles the formation, structuring and negotiation of funds. Eddie Carter joined as counsel from Linklaters LLP in November 2022.Practice head(s):
Ed Gander
Other key lawyers:
James Bromley; James Sargent, Marloes Zaman; Jacqueline Volpe; Eddie Carter
Testimonials
‘Solid on the technical aspects of funds, and they act for a wide range of fund managers, so they are able to advise us on best practices and the direction of travel in the market.’
‘Weil’s advice in all cases was incredibly helpful from both a legal and commercial perspective.’
‘James Sargent is a very good lawyer. His legal and industry knowledge is excellent, his commercial acumen is strong, and he explains complex matters, simply.’
‘The team we have worked with (led by James Sargent) has great knowledge of the sector and an exceptional understanding of how to translate this into what a client wants/ thinks is most important, both at a legal and commercial level, which is very rare to find.’
‘They deliver very high-quality work on time and can adapt to the situation as required – you can trust that they have always thought through the situation in the documents.’
‘James Sargent and Marloes Zaman are both exceptional at their roles.’
Key clients
Actis
Astarte
M&G Catalyst
ARA
Brookfield
Victory
InfraRed
Octopus
Revetas
Union
Yoo
CapMan
Castleforge
PATRIZIA
Work highlights
- Advising ARA Active Real Estate Fund V on the establishment and fundraising of ARA’s flagship €750m target European value-add real estate fundraising.
- Advising Union concurrently as international counsel for Union Real Estate on the restructuring and re-domiciliation of Union Real Estate Fund II and the launch of Union Real Estate Fund IV.
- Advising Revetas Fund IV on the establishment and fundraising of Revetas’ flagship private equity real estate fund.
Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing Tier 2
Well regarded in the market for its energy transition and ESG-incentivised work, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP continues to grow its presence and client base in the market. Satellite, telecommunications, and fibre deals have been a particular strong part of the group’s practice over the last year, as well as hard and social infrastructure mandates such as roads, transport and care services. The firm has seen significant movement in its team, adding highly regarded infrastructure M&A partner Brendan Moylan from Latham & Watkins in April 2023. Moylan arrived just as infrastructure PE specialists James MacArthur and Ed Freeman left for Sidley Austin LLP . On the M&A side Weil's team is also able to draw on the skills of former Slaughter and May partner Murray Cox. Meanwhile, on the finance side, the very experienced acquisition finance partner Paul Hibbert , who has worked with a number of well-known lenders on infrastructure transactions, heads the team. Emma Serginson, who was promoted to partner at the start of 2023, is also noted for her experience on leveraged finance acquisitions in the sector. Kate McComiskey is also recommended.Practice head(s):
Paul Hibbert; Brendan Moylan
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘Fantastic firm that takes a client driven approach to services.’
‘Partners take a very active role in assignments, which gives a strong level of comfort.’
‘Paul Hibbert’s highly engaged team drive ideas and workstreams and work seamlessly with the financial advisers. Great communication skills allow a highly efficient process which is extremely important in M&A situations.’
Key clients
3i
AMP Capital (now known as InfraBridge)
Antin Infrastructure Partners
APG Asset Management
DWS Infrastructure
Fitzwalter Capital
Global Infrastructure Partners
Goldman Sachs Infrastructure Partners
iCON Infrastructure
Igneo Infrastructure Partners
Macquarie Asset Management
OMERS Infrastructure
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
Px3
Smart City Infrastructure Fund
Wren House Infrastructure
Work highlights
- Advised Macquarie Asset Management on the acquisition and financing of Roadchef from Antin Infrastructure Partners.
- Advised APG Asset Management, the largest pension fund in the Netherlands, on the investment in SiFi Networks America Limited and the establishment of Future Fiber Networks LLC, a long term joint venture platform between APG and SiFi Networks.
- Advised Wren House Infrastructure Management on the acquisition of Voyage Healthcare from Duke Street and Partners Group. This was Wren House Infrastructure’s first investment in the care sector.
Corporate and commercial > Corporate tax Tier 3
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP acts for a broad client base, offering expertise in a diverse range of areas including private funds, restructurings and insolvencies, financings, and tax disputes. Oliver Walker, whose clients include private equity funds, corporate management teams, and high net worth individuals, co-leads the department alongside Jenny Doak, whose practice covers restructurings, financings, and public and private M&A. Aron Joy and senior counsel Daniella Abel, praised by clients for their ‘clear’ and ‘practical’ advice, share a specialism in private funds taxation.Practice head(s):
Jenny Doak; Oliver Walker
Other key lawyers:
Aron Joy; Daniella Abel; Stuart Pibworth
Testimonials
‘Aron Joy and Daniella Abel are valued partners to the business who support us in commercial discussions with our clients. Their advice is typically practical, with clear recommendations, which avoids prolonged negotiation.’
‘An excellent and experienced team when it comes to oil and gas taxation and associated litigation. Biggest energy companies as clients.’
‘Jenny Doak is responsive and had huge knowledge of oil and gas tax, having come from an oil and gas firm.’
‘The combination of high levels of expertise and experience in the senior members of the team with the hard-working and intelligent junior members makes for an effective litigation combination.’
‘Jenny Doak is a highly experienced tax lawyer – her insight combined with her practical approach are a rare combination.’
Key clients
A&M Capital Advisors Europe LLP
Ad Hoc Lenders for Nordic Aviation Capital
Advent International
AMC Entertainment
Ares Management
Ashgrove Capital
Bain Capital
Brookfield
Clayton Dubilier & Rice LLC
Goldman Sachs
Guggenheim Securities, LLC
iCON Infrastructure
Lazard Asset Management Limited
Macquarie Securities
Octopus
Original Talent Limited
PAI Partners
Providence Equity
Providence Equity
Public Sector Pension Investment Board
Px3 Partners
Sumeru Equity
Sun European Partners, LLP
Work highlights
Corporate and commercial > M&A: Upper Mid-Market And Premium Deals, £750m+ Tier 3
Routinely instructed by blue-chip corporate clients and lauded for their cross-border transactional abilities, the wide-ranging corporate practice at Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is noted for its depth of experience supporting clients with public and private M&A, boardroom advice, hostile takeover defence strategies, corporate governance and equity capital markets matters. Natural resources and energy sector dealmaker, David Avery-Gee , regularly advises listed clients on joint ventures, capital raisings and M&A, with recent highlights including assisting Glencore with the sale of the CSA copper mine in Australia. Co-heading the team with Avery-Gee is London head Michael Francies . Focusing on the infrastructure space is Murray Cox , who is praised for his experience in international M&A transactions, corporate governance and public company bids. Bolstering the practice with her public and private M&A, joint venture, corporate restructuring and equity market capabilities across a vast range of industries and two years’ experience as a senior case officer at the Takeover Panel is new arrival Sarah Flaherty, who joined from Linklaters LLP in March 2023.Practice head(s):
David Avery-Gee; Michael Francies
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team is extremely knowledgeable and results oriented. They demonstrate excellent collaboration with other advisors and the company. They have a strong knowledge and understanding of the company’s objectives and interests. This is easily among the finest law firms we have used. David Avery-Gee is a lawyer that stands out.’
‘A fantastic team that works brilliantly together. The team offers an outstanding product, client service and speed of delivery.’
‘David Avery-Gee is the most responsive partner I have ever worked with. He is very technically capable and delivers a fantastic service.’
Key clients
Glencore
Eutelsat
Sanofi
MGM Resorts
InPost
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.
Howden
Cobham
Kantar
Soul Foods Group
Nissin Foods
Petropavlovsk
Work highlights
- Advised Eutelsat and its board on the all-share combination of Eutelsat and OneWeb.
- Advised Glencore on the sale of one of Australia’s oldest copper mines, the CSA copper mine in Cobar, New South Wales, and on the establishment of a strategic partnership with listed US company Li-Cycle Holdings Corp.
- Advised MGM Resorts International on its $607 million acquisition of LeoVegas AB, a listed Swedish online gaming company.
Dispute resolution > Tax litigation and investigations Tier 3
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP handles a broad range of tax disputes, including international and cross-border matters. Leading the department are private equity expert Oliver Walker, Jenny Doak, who has key experience in indirect tax, Jamie Maples, whose areas of strength include the media, technology, and energy sectors, and solicitor advocate Christopher Marks.Practice head(s):
Oliver Walker; Jenny Doak; Jamie Maples; Christopher Marks
Work highlights
Finance > Derivatives and structured products Tier 3
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP is known for being 'very accessible, and finding a good balance between simply recapping points of negotiation, and providing a view on importance and relevance'. Jacky Kelly leads the structured finance practice and, though best known for her work on CLOs, also handles repo and TRS funding for some of the practice's anchor clients. Counsel Andrew Lauder has a broad derivatives practice that sees him advise on OTC transactions and structured capital markets deals. Clients note that he is 'always on hand to give good advice, and has a good grounding in the product detail, rather than just legal detail'. Both Kelly and Lauder are key advisers to swap counterparties, including global banks, and originators such as Guggenheim Partners and M&G on swap transactions entered into by structured finance vehicles in relation to securitisations and CLOs.Practice head(s):
Jacky Kelly
Other key lawyers:
Testimonials
‘The team have always been very accessible, and find a good balance between simply recapping points of negotiation, and providing a view on importance and relevance.’
‘Andrew Lauder has always been on hand to give good advice, and has a good grounding in the product detail, rather than just legal detail, which enables him to give a balanced view on which elements of a negotiation are key to focus on.’
‘I really enjoy working with this team – Jacky Kelly is very responsive, knowledgeable and commercial in her advice. I rely on her advice and counsel on many different matters. I am always confident that she will get the deal done. I know that I am in safe hands with the Weil team as the whole team is excellent.’
‘Andrew Lauder is very knowledgeable in the derivative space and provides clear explanation of the products and the market positions – really great to have on our side.’
Key clients
Montagu Private Equity
CVC Capital Partners
Advent International
Bain Capital
Brookfield
Antin Infrastructure Partners
Ontario Teachers
Apollo / Redding Ridge
M&G
Guggenheim Partners
Lloyds
Santander
Work highlights
- Acting for the lenders and hedge counterparties in connection with a refinancing of debt incurred by Island Energy Group (the leading natural gas and LPG distribution and supply business located in Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man) owned by Ancala Partners LLP.
- Acting for a private fund on a repo facility with a European bank to finance a portfolio of EU CLO investments, and a separate Master TRS Facility with another European bank to finance a portfolio of loans and bonds.
- Acting for CVC on hedging arrangements in connection with the financing of its acquisitions of a stake in the French Football league.
Corporate and commercial > EU and competition Tier 4
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP houses a ‘capable and expert’ competition practice that leverages its integrated transatlantic offering to act for some of the world’s leading corporates on a host of big-ticket competition mandates. The firm’s international footprint has been further strengthened with the opening of a new office in Brussels. In recent months, the team has been instructed on a number of market-defining antitrust matters, including advising Microsoft on its $68.7bn proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc. The ‘extremely talented and knowledgeable’ practice head Jenine Hulsmann is a highly regarded antitrust lawyer with a stellar market reputation. She advises a diverse roster of clients on merger and foreign investment proceedings and competition law investigations. Niklas Maydell splits his time between London and Brussels and regularly represents clients before the European Commission.Practice head(s):
Jenine Hulsmann
Other key lawyers:
Niklas Maydell; Neil Rigby; Nafees Saeed; Chris Chapman; Chris Thomas
Testimonials
‘A capable and expert competition practice.’
‘Jenine Hulsmann is an extremely talented and knowledgeable lawyer. I can rely completely on her advice and on her knowledge and acumen in supporting me in running merger processes.’
‘Chris Thomas – extremely strong operator and incredibly responsive. Meticulous on the detail but still retains a strong grasp of the big picture.’
Key clients
Eutelsat
Microsoft
Brookfield
Liberty Global/Telefonica/Virgin Media
Cinven
Advent International
Cobham
Macquarie
Generation Investment Management
MBCC
Work highlights
- Advising Microsoft on its $68.7bn proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Inc.
- Advising MBCC Group, the former BASF Construction Chemicals business, on its sale to Sika for a consideration of €5.2bn.
- Advising Eutelsat on its proposed combination with OneWeb, worth $3.4bn.
Employment > Employee share schemes Tier 4
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP's tax benefits and executive compensation team advises on a wide range of share schemes, including tax-efficient employee and management incentive arrangements and support on complex cross border corporate transactions. The team is also able to advise on related issues such as tax, securities and governance laws. Oliver Walker co-heads the practice, having a proven track record of advising on corporate structuring matters and tax disputes. Co-head Kevin Donegan's practice straddles both transactional support and design and implementation of employee and management incentive schemes.Practice head(s):
Oliver Walker; Kevin Donegan
Key clients
Eutelsat
Clayton, Dubilier & Rice
Permira
EO Charging
Generation Investment Management
CIIG Capital Partners
Sumeru Equity Partners
Howden
Advent
Macquarie Asset Management
Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: premium Tier 5
Jamie Maples sits at the helm of the ‘focused, elite commercial litigation practice‘ at Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP; the team regularly advises global corporates and private equity sponsors on complex litigation, investigations, arbitrations, and regulatory matters. Restructuring litigation is also within the expertise of the ‘extremely able high-quality team of technically proficient lawyers‘. Noted practitioners include ‘star junior partner’ Christopher Marks, with expertise in complex cross-border insolvencies, and ‘proactive and responsive’ Hayley Lund.Practice head(s):
Jamie Maples
Other key lawyers:
Christopher Marks; Hayley Lund; Jamie Maples; Frankie Cowl; Sarah Chaplin; Matthew Gibbon; Charlotte de Vitry
Testimonials
‘Weil has a focused, elite commercial litigation practice that attracts some of the best commercial disputes going. They recruit only the best and, after a couple of decades in the game, now benefit from exceptional depth of quality. They have particular experience acting for private equity houses and have a loyal following in this sector.’
‘The team provide proactive and commercial support to our business and are our go-to where we have any disputes or contentious matter. They’ve really taken the time to understand our business and culture to ensure we get the right level of advice and support at the right time.
‘Hayley Lund is proactive and responsive and provides alternative perspectives and solutions.’
‘Jamie Maples is great – well-established as an experienced litigator.’
‘Jamie Maples is a seasoned, commercial and all round excellent litigator. Chris Marks is a star junior partner.’
‘Christopher Marks is a fantastic litigator – commercial and no nonsense in his approach and with a good sense of which points are worth running.’
‘An extremely able high-quality team of technically proficient lawyers. Really excellent, in-depth.’
Key clients
Microsoft
Administrators of VTB Capital
Ad Hoc Group of VEON Bondholders
Petropavlovsk PLC
Asia Research & Capital Management Ltd
Joint Special Administrators of MF Global UK Limited
Shop Direct
Lehman Brothers
Stuart Sybersma/David Soden as joint official liquidators of Abraaj Investment Management Limited
Work highlights
- Acted for the administrators of VTB Capital on the $1bn+ High Court claim against the Republic of Mozambique in the widely reported “tuna bonds” litigation.
- Acted for Microsoft in its challenge to the CMA’s headline-grabbing decision to block its $68.7 billion merger with video games giant Activision Blizzard King.
- Shop Direct Finance Company Limited (the consumer finance arm of The Very Group, the major online retailer), in relation to alleged PPI mis-selling.
Corporate and commercial > Financial services: non-contentious/regulatory Tier 6
Counting fund and asset managers across the UK, Europe, North America and Australia among its key list of clients, Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP handles a broad range of matters concerning Brexit, AIFMD and MiFID II, ESG, FCA authorisation, securities regulation and market abuse. Additional key areas of focus include advising fund manager start-ups, spin-outs and other financial service providers in establishing new businesses. Marc Schubert leads the team and has experience in private funds regulatory issues.Practice head(s):
Marc Schubert
Other key lawyers:
Hannah Laurie
Testimonials
‘Very experienced and long standing work on AIFMD.’
‘Knowledgeable of our business, responsive and good to deal with.’
‘The team is commercial, pragmatic, responsive and solution driven.’
Key clients
Advent International
Bain Capital
Berkshire Partners
Brookfield Asset Management
Crow Holdings
Generation Investment Management
Genstar Capital
Altamont Capital
Lindsay Goldberg
Providence Equity
Work highlights
- Acting for Brookfield Asset Management on the separation of its asset management business from its proprietary investment business, leading on regulatory filings’ analysis in over 25 jurisdictions.
- Advising Brookfield Asset Management, which manages over $750bn of assets, on the regulatory and global securities law aspects on a range of their private funds in the private equity, infrastructure, real estate and credit arenas.
Projects, energy and natural resources > Mining and minerals
Industry focus > TMT
Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP > Firm Profile
Firm overview: Founded in 1931, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is a preeminent provider of legal services. With offices on three continents, Weil has been a pioneer in establishing a geographic footprint to partner with clients wherever they do business. The firm’s four departments, corporate, litigation, restructuring, and tax, executive compensation and benefits, are consistently recognised as leaders in their respective fields.
Private equity: Entrenched in all aspects of private equity, the team includes some of the most respected private equity lawyers in the market. Providing best-in-class advice to market participants throughout the lifecycle of their investments, Weil’s lawyers offer up-to-date know-how to ensure that funds gain the best possible return on investment. From pension and growth funds to multi-asset managers, the firm’s expertise covers every facet of the market.
Private equity infrastructure: Weil’s private equity infrastructure team advises leading infrastructure funds and other investors on their investments in infrastructure assets. The team has a strong capability in cross-border M&A, financing and restructurings across the sector.
Corporate/M&A: Clients globally turn to Weil for strategic advice on their UK and cross-border M&A transactions. The experienced team is knowledgeable across the full range of deal types from takeovers, carve-outs and public-to-privates to joint ventures and distressed M&A. Weil’s public company offering also includes corporate governance and compliance and equity capital markets (including IPOs).
Private funds: Offering fully integrated funds, tax and regulatory capabilities, the private funds team provides leading commercial advice to managers throughout the duration of their funds’ lives, from the raising and deployment of capital to realisation.
Leveraged finance and high yield: Weil’s preeminent London leveraged finance and high yield expertise is underpinned by a full service banking and finance practice advising both financial institutions and private equity sponsors. The team has a reputation as go-to advisors for the largest and most complex financings in the market.
Structured finance: The London structured finance group has been at the forefront of the industry in Europe since the inception of the market and is known for complex and innovative transactions, including the creation of several first-ever securitisations of specific asset classes. Along with ABS and MBS experience, Weil has a dominant position in the revitalised European CLO 2.0 market and is active on debt portfolio trades and distressed deals.
Restructuring and insolvency: Weil’s London restructuring team has advised on the highest profile and most complex cases in the marketplace. Weil advises a broad client base that includes debtor and creditor representations, directors, private equity houses, senior, mezzanine and subordinated lenders, purchasers and sellers of distressed M&A assets and NPLs and substantial bankruptcy litigation. Weil’s unparalleled global presence provides the US–UK–European link that very few other firms are able to, serving clients with fully integrated cross-border advice.
Dispute resolution: Weil’s London disputes practice advises on the most high-profile and technically complex cases in the market, including in judgments that are now the leading authorities on points of law. The firm advises upon and conducts all aspects of commercial disputes and investigations, from strategic advice during the early stages of negotiations to courtroom and arbitration advocacy.
Tax: The Weil London tax team provides cutting edge advice on structuring and implementing transactions, as well as providing a sophisticated consultancy service to clients. The team collaborate with our global colleagues to provide structuring solutions that work from a tax, regulatory and wider legal perspective.
Competition: Weil’s Competition practice forms a key part of the firm’s global Antitrust/Competition offering, providing clients with the international reach and experience required to handle multinational regulatory issues, particularly involving the EU and US competition laws and enforcement.
Transactional support: Weil’s team of in-house transaction specialists leverage the expertise of the firm’s full-service capabilities, and provide a further distinctive aspect of the comprehensive client offering. The transaction specialist team provide specialist advice on corporate governance and compliance, employment, data protection, intellectual property, management incentives, real estate and technology.
Main Contacts
Department | Name | Telephone | |
---|---|---|---|
Arbitration | Jamie Maples | ||
Banking – Sponsors | Chris McLaughlin | ||
Banking – Sponsors | Tom Richards | ||
Banking – Lenders | Reena Gogna | ||
Banking – Lenders | Chris McLaughlin | ||
Banking – Lenders | Paul Stewart | ||
Capital Markets – High Yield | Gilles Teerlinck | ||
Capital Markets – High Yield | Andy Hagan | ||
Capital Markets – Equity | David Avery-Gee | ||
Capital Markets – Equity | Michael Francies | ||
Competition/Antitrust | Jenine Hulsmann | ||
Disputes & Investigations | Jaime Maples | ||
Employment | Mark Taylor | ||
Graduate Recruitment | Yohanna Wilson | ||
Restructuring | Andrew J. Wilkinson | ||
Restructuring | Neil Devaney | ||
IP/IT | Barry Fishley | ||
M&A/Corporate | David Avery-Gee | ||
M&A/Corporate | Michael Francies | ||
Private Equity | Marco Compagnoni | ||
Private Equity | Michael Francies | ||
Private Equity Infrastructure | Brendan Moylan | ||
Private Equity Infrastructure | Paul Hibbert | ||
Private Funds | Ed Gander | ||
Pro Bono | Simon Lyell | ||
Pro Bono | Ed Gander | ||
Structured Finance | Jacky Kelly | ||
Tax | Jenny Doak | ||
Tax | Oliver Walker | ||
Tax | Aron Joy |
Lawyer Profiles
Photo | Name | Position | Profile |
---|---|---|---|
Marco Compagnoni | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Barry Fishley | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Stephen Fox | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Michael Francies | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Ed Gander | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Mr Ian Hamilton | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
James Hogben | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Jacky Kelly | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Mark Lawford | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Simon Lyell | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Brian Maher | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Jamie Maples | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Chris McLaughlin | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Tom Richards | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Andrew Wilkinson | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile | |
Jonathan Wood | Full CV available on www.weil.com. | View Profile |
Student (Future Lawyers )
The Legal 500 Future Lawyers Verdict
‘Exposure to top-tier global clients and challenging work’ were the main reasons trainees applied to Weil Gotshal & Manges. The US firm boasts particular strength in its ‘transactional practices, including private equity, banking and finance, and restructuring’. A smaller trainee intake ‘provides more opportunities for us to take on more responsibility and higher-level work’. Weil recruits ‘get the opportunity to do more advanced work, for example take charge of some post-completion matters and draft documents’; ‘the general approach appears to be focused on giving responsibility if you can handle it and want it’, explained one trainee. Recruits also ‘receive far more client contact’ than at some firms of a comparable size and stature. The ‘fantastic salary’ can't go unmentioned, Weil being one of the top-paying firms in the City for trainees and beyond. As such, the firm is a Future Lawyers Winner for salary, as well as for confidence of being kept on. There is a ‘general lack of toxic atmosphere’ at Weil, and colleagues are ‘friendly and willing to help you advance your education and expand your knowledge’. The firm’s downside is unarguably ‘the hours in certain seats' and 'expectations of certain partners. It is an available 24-hour/365 culture’. Nevertheless, trainees did say that ‘some departments have a worse work/life balance than others’. Other criticisms were that ‘some of the tasks can be repetitive and can come in at awkward times of the day’. In contrast, ‘closing a c. 400m USD transaction with one other lawyer, a senior partner at the firm’ was ‘a ridiculously cool opportunity and level of responsibility for a trainee’. For a firm which is considered top of its game in private equity, where lawyers hit the ground running and are paid handsomely for their work, consider Weil Gotshal & Manges.- Corporate and commercial > Private equity: transactions – high-value deals (£250m+)
- Finance > Acquisition finance
- Finance > Corporate restructuring & insolvency
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Finance > High yield
- Finance > Securitisation
- Investment fund formation and management > Private funds
- Investment fund formation and management > Real estate funds
- Projects, energy and natural resources > Infrastructure: M&A and acquisition financing