Michael Dakin > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Clifford Chance LLP intentionally focuses on high-quality and innovative transactions, rather than high-volume high yield work, and it has built up a strong track record in challenging deals, particularly those related to large M&A transactions. Practice head Michael Dakin is highly regarded for his advice to private equity sponsors, issuers and underwriters. He recently acted for NewDay Bondco Plc in a simultaneous exchange offer and offering of new notes, the tranches totalling £264m and $320m. Newly promoted partner Drew Rundus assisted OCI N.V. as guarantor of the obligations in connection with the issuance of municipal bonds, and on three tranches of new bonds with a total value of $838m. Jill Concannon, who joined from White & Case LLP in 2023, has a long track record in acting for sponsors and underwriters in international securities offerings. US securities law specialist John Connolly retired in 2023.

Clifford Chance LLP has ‘excellent partners with depth of knowledge and experience‘ and clients remark that the firm has ‘a strong team of associates and some very good trainees coming through‘. Matthew Fairclough  is head of the firm’s global financial markets practice, in which houses the debt capital markets group, and his practice typifies the partner team as it encompasses advice to issuers and underwriters on new issuance, debt programmes, convertible and exchangeable bonds, corporate hybrid capital and regulatory capital trades, and liability management. Andrew Coats specialises in advising financial institutions. Simon Sinclair assisted Hellenic Bank Public Company Limited with its €100m EMT programme. Global head of capital markets Michael Dakin has extensive experience advising private equity sponsors, and Paul Deakins assists issuers and underwriters with a broad range of deals. Deborah Zandstra, who leads the firm’s sovereign debt advisory practice, is advising Sri Lanka in its bid for an Extended Fund Facility from the IMF and a restructuring of its debt. Kate Vyvyan advised the arranger and dealer on the establishment of the AXA Logistics Europe Fund €2bn EMTN programme. Clare Burgess handles  infrastructure, renewables and sustainability-related transactions including project bonds and private placements. Jill Concannon joined from White & Case LLP to add more experience in international securities offerings. US capital markets partner Johannes Juette recently moved to London from the Singapore office.