Jessica Littlewood > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

At Clifford Chance LLP ‘the team is always a pleasure to work with, going above and beyond to support the client through transactions, and making themselves available at short notice‘. The practice led by Maggie Zhao ‘has deep knowledge and experience and is a go-to team for complex transactions requiring innovative solutions‘. It is frequently called upon to handle market-first transactions across a host of asset classes, among them RMBS, covered bonds, consumer ABS, auto ABS and SME lending transactions. Head of the international structured debt group Kevin Ingram recently acted for Bank of Ireland in the £600m Temple Quay No.1 PLC, a static RMBS securitisation backed by a non-conforming portfolio of performing and reperforming mortgage loans. Key partner Christopher Walsh has  in-depth experience of structured debt transactions and capital market products. Emma Matebalavu is head of the firm’s global financial markets practice and specialises in all types of mortgage finance. Simeon Radcliff stands out for multi-jurisdictional trade receivables transactions. Jessica Littlewood leads the European CLO practice, and is a key adviser to both managers and investors. Up-and-coming partners Adam Craig ( who ‘has an ability to present ideas in an easily digestible way‘), Will Sutton and Simi Arora-Lalani are all heavily involved in the firm’s high-profile transactions.

Clifford Chance LLP has ‘outstanding lawyers who never overpromise and underdeliver‘, and clients remark that ‘in addition to their legal expertise, they are also quick to point out the impact that specific regulatory or legal developments may have‘. The firm handles the full spectrum of instruments and asset classes, but it particularly well known for its knowledge of the synthetic securitisation market, and its understanding of regulatory matters. The ‘incredibly constructive‘ Timothy Cleary leads the practice, which is known for ‘strong market knowledge, regulatory expertise and commercial awareness‘. Jessica Littlewood is a market-leading expert on synthetic CLOs. Andrew Coats handles repackaging programmes, derivatives, structured securities and retail-targeted securities offerings. Paget Dare Bryan  leads the derivatives group and is known for his knowledge of repackagings, credit and equity derivatives, total return swaps, and structured repo and securities lending. Anne Drakeford‘s work encompasses OTC fixed income, credit and equity based derivatives. Key partners Faizal Khan and Will Winterton frequently advise on bespoke equity-linked financing structures using derivatives, repo, securities lending and loan documentation frameworks. Up-and-coming partner Jeremy Walter is ‘outstanding, a clear thinker who is able to think outside the box‘.