Paul Deakins > Clifford Chance LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

At Clifford Chance LLP, the social housing finance group predominately acts for funders and investors, including high-profile banks, as well as security trustees. The group is also instructed by new debt funders and equity investors. The department is co-led by Angela Shepherd and Paul Deakins; Shepherd advises clients on the property and project side of social housing transactions, while Deakins is sought after for his expertise in capital markets.

Clifford Chance LLP has an ‘incredibly deep practice that is very knowledgeable, responsive, and creative‘. Clients report that the firm ‘has been behind some of the most creative and innovative structures in the market‘. A key example of an innovative deal is the issuance of the first bond linked to the generation of voluntary carbon units, on which the firm acted for the arranger. ‘Responsive and dedicated‘ UK regional practice area leader for global financial markets Matthew Fairclough is well versed in debt, hybrid and equity-linked capital markets transactions. Paul Deakins is ‘a pre-eminent force on liability management transactions – always available to help brainstorm and comes up with creative solutions at a moment’s notice‘. Clients praise the ‘exceptional client focus and technical skills‘ of Simon Sinclair , who excels in convertible and exchangeable bonds, regulatory capital issues, and liability management. Kate Vyvyan ‘will stick her neck out to negotiate a favourable outcome‘. The ‘incredibly knowledgeable, nuanced, thoughtful‘ Deborah Zandstra is a leading adviser on sovereign debt transactions. US capital markets partner Johannes Juette and global head of capital markets Michael Dakin also play central roles in the practice.