Clifford Chance > Washington DC, United States > Firm Profile

Clifford Chance > The Legal 500 Rankings

Tax > Financial products Tier 1

Clifford Chance‘s New York-based team advises on the tax aspects and planning of a wide range of financial product-related matters, including REITs, CLOs, derivatives, insurance, and mortgage-backed securities, to name a few. Paul Seraganian, who heads the team, routinely supports Canadian and other non-US pension funds with investments in hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds and other private investment vehicles, including designing structures for co-investments general partner investments and continuation structures. Philip Wagman concentrates his practice on the tax aspects of corporate transactions, both domestic and internationally, as well as structured finance and securitization transactions, equipment leasing, securities offerings, and other financing transactions. Michael Seaton has substantial expertise advising on public and private REITs, investment funds, cross-border investment structuring, and insurance and reinsurance companies. Avrohom Gelber‘s practice covers cross-border finance and capital markets transactions, including CLO securitization transactions. Jim Gouwar advises on structured finance transactions such as mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations, and REMICs. Rebecca Pereira has significant experience providing tax advice for a wide variety of financial and business transactions, with an emphasis on private equity and real estate funds. Hannah Richard advises on the US federal tax aspects of a variety of transactions, including real estate transactions, investment funds, and private equity investments.

Transport > Aviation and air travel: finance Tier 1

Clifford Chance‘s team in New York ‘marries technical excellence with commercial sensitivity’. The practice’s enviable client list comprises investment banks, arrangers, investors, governmental authorities, and finance and operating lessors. In addition to its Export Credit Agency finance specialism, the group is highly experienced in aviation-related debt and equity offerings, portfolio securitizations, and enhanced equipment trust certificate issuances. The firm additionally has a robust operating lessor practice, through which it acts for both established and newer operating leasing companies. With particular experience in financing and corporate transactions involving aircraft, rolling stock and vessels, Zarrar Sehgal heads the global asset finance group, as well as the global transport and logistics team. The practice also includes the ‘simply awesome’ aircraft leasing and financing expert Emily Wicker; Patrick O’Reilly, whose aircraft finance workload covers secured and unsecured lending, joint ventures, operating leases, and portfolio sales and acquisitions, along with M&A, securitization and restructuring; and renowned asset finance expert John Howitt. Other names to note are Benjamin Fisher, a specialist in aviation sector-related cross-border asset finance deals; and Olga Miller, whose aircraft finance experience encompasses pre-delivery payment facilities, new delivery and leaseback financings, business jet transactions, and spare parts and engine financings.

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 2

Clifford Chance handles the full range of matters in the structured products space, with a particular focus on structured real estate transactions. Its transactional expertise includes advising on synthetic credit risk transfer transactions, repo-linked note issuance programs and insured, royalty-backed, fintech transactions. In addition, the firm is experienced in assisting clients with the establishment of ABCP programs. The global head of practice, Gareth Old, advises on complex structured products, capital relief transactions and derivatives with particular skill regarding regulatory issues. Lee Askenazi supports a broad range of clients, including sponsors, issuers investors, sellers and purchasers, in residential and commercial real estate financing transaction at the domestic and international level. In May 2023, Becky O’Brien was promoted to partner. All lawyers mentioned work in New York.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 2

Clifford Chance offers clients a broad range of support in the securitizations sector, including with CLO matters. It is especially equipped to handle matters in the real estate space, such as matters concerning RMBS, CMBS and CRE CLOs. The firm is also equipped to assist clients in the growing student loans-backed and vehicle loans-backed securitization markets. Robert Villani, who advises major CLO managers on issuance and investment matters, is also well versed in consumer lending and ABS acquisitions and financings. He leads the practice alongside Lee Askenazi, who has particular expertise in residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, credit risk transfers, CLOs and CDOs. Gareth Old, qualified in multiple jurisdictions, advises on regulatory matters for securities and capital relief transactions. Rebecca O’Brien, who was promoted to partner in May 2023, specializes in CLOs and private credit matters. Jim Cotins has significant expertise in matters relating to commercial real estate, including CMBS, CRE CLOs, SFR securitizations and net-lease securitizations. All lawyers are in New York.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

The New York office of Clifford Chance has a small but active group of securities litigators led by the head of the US litigation practice Robert Houck. Experienced in complex cross-border securities and commercial litigation, including class actions and investigations, Houck frequently acts for large companies, underwriters, corporate officers, and outside directors in class actions. His recent work includes the successful defense of ICBC Standard Bank in a class action alleging manipulation of platinum and palladium benchmarks in London. All claims were dismissed. On that matter, Houck worked closely with John Friel, who focuses on securities, derivatives, and antitrust matters, and senior counsel David Yeres. Partner Anthony Candido is also active in federal and state courts at the trial and appellate level, and he recently worked with Houck to advise a major US financial institution on SEC and DOJ investigations, which also involved key team members in the firm’s Washington DC office.

Finance > Capital markets: global offerings

Finance > Fintech Tier 3

Lauded as a ‘renowned law firm with a global presence in key markets worldwide’, the New York-based practice Clifford Chance is a key contact for sizeable financial institutions on blockchain and cryptocurrency projects, online lending, as well as corporate and financing transactions. Clifford Cone assists investment advisers on FINRA and SEC compliance in addition to the application of the Custody Rule. In Washington DC, Steven Gatti ’s practice encompasses anti-money laundering and trading regulation, while Jesse Overall often handles tokenization transactions. Young Kim is experienced in advising domestic and international banks on federal and state money service business laws, while Washington DC-based Philip Angeloff assists financial institutions on US banking, securities, derivatives laws, and regulations.

Finance > Project finance

Clifford Chance combines the firm’s extensive international footprint with embedded project finance and development expertise to advise on a impressive portfolio of energy and infrastructure projects that span the Americas, Africa and Asia. Tax equity financings and tax credit transactions are a significant part of the workload, particularly with regard to battery storage, wind and solar projects, and the firm has also demonstrated high levels of activity engaging with carbon capture ventures. Furthermore, in the LatAm region, the group have pivoted towards refinancing existing brownfield projects with bonds, working closely with the capital markets branch of the firm. Lori Ann Bean ‘s leadership straddles both energy and infrastructure offerings and is a key representative for governmental lenders, working closely with the US Department of Energy and the US International Development Finance Corporation. Fabricio Longhin‘s focus is firmly centered on Latin America where he has overseen a number of significant transport-related mandates, often working alongside Jessica Springsteen who has also counselled a range of European lenders and export credit agencies on domestic renewable projects. Greg Jehle and Lauran Smith are further names of note due to their work with the DOE, while Alberto Haito continues to represent both banks and financial sponsors across a spectrum of energy and infrastructure developments. All practitioners operate out of Washington DC.

Media, technology and telecoms > Outsourcing Tier 3

Having hired a significant team from Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, LLP in 2023, the rapidly growing outsourcing and complex contracting group at Clifford Chance is well-positioned to handle in business critical and complex contracts within the domestic and global market. The firm operates across the fintech, retail, and financial services sectors, where it regularly handles digital transformation initiatives. Meighan O’Reardon’s scope of work includes advising Fortune 500 companies on strategic outsourcing projects, software licensing arrangements, and data privacy measures, while James McPhillips covers SaaS transactions and negotiates procurements of generative AI products. Ash Masrani handles various tech arrangements, including data center outsourcing and cloud computing arrangements. In New York, Vipul Nishawala assists suppliers and financial institutions with maintenance and development agreements in addition to handling strategic HR outsourcings. Unless otherwise mentioned, all named individuals are based in Washington DC.

Real estate > Real estate investment trusts (REITs) Tier 3

Clifford Chance‘s REITs offering sits as part of its larger global financial markets practice and is led by finance experts Andrew Epstein, Jason Myers, and Kathleen Werner. Jay Bernstein is a well-respected REIT specialist focusing on the creation of innovative permeant capital vehicles and currently acts as senior counsel for the practice. Werner represents the firm’s bank clientele in M&A, while Epstein represents issuers, underwriters, and initial purchasers with public and private capital market transactions. Myers excels in advising public companies on corporate finance matters. The firm is also noted for its cross-border capabilities, with Jake Farquharson advising on domestic and international capital market transactions, M&A, and joint ventures. Lawyers are based in New York.

Tax > International tax Tier 3

Clifford Chance’s New York-based team is well-placed to advise on international tax issues, regularly leveraging on its global nexus to support companies with cross-border tax issues related to their business and financial transactions. Recently promoted to practice head in April 2023, Paul Seraganian has significant experience advising on inbound and outbound tax planning considerations, including treaty-based planning, international joint ventures, permanent establishment considerations, and the development of innovative cross-border structures. Philip Wagman concentrates his practice on the tax aspects of M&A, joint ventures, leveraged buyouts, structured finance, and securitization transactions. Michael Seaton has extensive expertise handling transactions that involve public and private REITs, investment funds, investment structuring, and insurance and reinsurance companies. Avrohom Gelber advises on cross-border finance and capital markets transactions, including complex CLO securitization transactions as well as international financial and business transactions, including the formation of investment funds, corporate acquisitions and restructurings, and derivative financial instruments. Jim Gouwar has substantial experience advising on the tax aspects of structured finance transactions such as mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations, and REMICs. Rebecca Pereira provides advice for a wide range of international transactions, with a particular focus on private equity and real estate funds. Hannah Richard advises clients on the U.S. federal tax aspects of a variety of domestic and international matters. David Moldenhauer retired in April 2023.

Antitrust > Merger control Tier 4

Clifford Chance draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ability to ‘see across a multi-jurisdictional chessboard.’ The firm adeptly handles cross-border merger clearances, DOJ and FTC investigations, with notable expertise in facilitating approvals in healthcare and life sciences transactions. The team is led by Timothy Cornell, a prolific merger counsel noted for his expertise in multijurisdictional clearance processes and investigations, and Sharis Pozen, who has deep agency experience and specializes in merger litigation, both in the US and against global enforcement bodies. Brian Concklin handles DOJ and FTC approvals for deals, as well as advising on transactions requiring multijurisdictional approvals, while Robert Houck represents clients in complex commercial litigation. The team’s litigation capabilities have been bolstered by the 2023 arrival of William Lavery and Joseph Ostoyich from Baker Botts L.L.P., as well as the 2024 arrival of counsel Lauren Rackow in New York from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP. Attorneys mentioned are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Dispute resolution > International arbitration Tier 4

Demonstrating a marked focus on Latin America-related work, Clifford Chance’s international arbitration practice continues to grow its roster of investment cases seated in Washington DC, where it is currently acting on seven matters. The team additionally handled a slew of post-M&A disputes over the past year. Divided between New York and Washington DC, the group benefits from the ability to lean on the wider firm’s generous global network for cross-border support. In Washington DC, José García Cueto specializes in commercial and investor-state cases and is acting as lead, or co-lead, counsel in matters worth over $6bn. Anthony Candido is noted in New York.

Energy > Renewable/alternative power Tier 4

Clifford Chance acts for a diverse array of both US and international agencies, with notable clients including the Department of Energy’s Loan Programs Office and the Department of Commerce. The firm stands out for its specialization in the renewable energy sector, providing expert guidance on the development, financing, and acquisition of wind, solar, and geothermal portfolios. From the Washington DC office, Lori Ann Bean heads up the team, routinely assisting clients with the development and financing of complex infrastructure and energy projects. Co-head of the firm’s Latin America group Fabricio Longhin is the go-to choice for a number of developers, commercial banks, infrastructure and energy funds involved in the development and financing of energy and infrastructure projects in Latin America and the US, an area in which Latin America expert Jessica Springsteen is also active. Based in Houston, Alexander Leff‘s practice focuses on renewable energy and infrastructure projects. All practitioners are based in Washington DC unless otherwise stated.

Finance > Capital markets: debt offerings Tier 4

Finance > Capital markets: equity offerings

Finance > Capital markets: high-yield debt offerings

International trade > Customs, export controls and economic sanctions Tier 4

Clifford Chance’s export controls and economic sanctions practice comes under the umbrella of the international trade, regulatory and enforcement group, ensuring strong expertise in complex investigations and enforcement work. The team additionally advises on risk assessments, compliance programs and general regulatory matters. Highly regarded sanctions specialist George Kleinfeld co-heads the Washington DC-based team together with David DiBari, who serves as global co-head of the risk practice and focuses on defending multinational clients in criminal and administrative matters, including economic sanctions, export controls and FCPA-related cases. Also noted are international trade regulation partner Renée Latour and Joshua Berman, who specializes in white-collar and government investigations.

Investment fund formation and management > Private equity funds (including venture capital) Tier 4

Notable US-based asset managers, including Apollo Global Management, Blackstone Credit and TCW Asset Management are key clients for the Clifford Chance private funds group, with the team frequently advising on credit fund formations, real estate debt funds, GP-led restructurings and secondary transactions mandates. The New York-based team is especially strong on cross-border mandates is jointly led by credit funds and real estate focused funds expert Michael Sabin and Clifford Cone, who works on fund formations across hedge, private equity and registered funds for the firms major clients. Further key practitioners in this space are Susan Burkhardt who is praised by clients as being ‘top tier for debt funds’, and Daniel Drabkin who is well regarded for his work with private credit secondaries funds. Enoch Varner joined the firm's Houston office in June 2023 from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

Media, technology and telecoms > Technology transactions Tier 4

At Clifford Chance, the growing technology transactions practice is well-equipped to serve clients in the financial services, telecoms, software, and retail industries. The firm offers guidance on IP protection, AI and data strategy, and platform development work. Devika Kornbacher leads the department from Houston and draws from her extensive tech experience to advise on cybersecurity compliance and commercialization agreements. In Washington DC, Megan Gordon concentrates on fintech and crypto projects, while New York-based Violetta Kokolus handles AI and quantum computing matters. Houston lawyer Ricky Legg advises clients on the protection and licensing of IP and tech rights, while in New York, Brian Yin focuses on data transactions and privacy laws.

Real estate Tier 4

Clifford Chance’s growing real estate practice is particularly prominent for its advising of funds, REITs, and financings, with particular emphasis on the borrower and investor side of developments and transactions. The firm, which draws on a substantial roster of national and international clients, is also recognized for its broad range of real estate services within the realms of joint ventures, recapitalizations, tax, and securities, with further expertise in Islamic financing structures. Advising from their New York office, the practice is led by Ness Cohen who focuses on real estate private equity and joint ventures together with financings and transactions. Also active in the New York office are Eddie Frastai who, alongside having expertise in transactions, has experience across a range of financing structures and restructuring mandates, and Jeanne Roig-Irwin, particularly experienced on dispositions and leasing.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 4

Clifford Chance’s transactional tax team in New York handles a wide range of cross-border transactions. Newly appointed practice head Paul Seraganian has broad experience encompassing M&A, restructurings, investment fund formation, and portfolio acquisitions/dispositions. He also advises on in- and outbound tax planning, including treaty-based planning and international joint ventures. Philip Wagman’s practice covers mergers, joint ventures, securities offerings, and leveraged buyouts, as well as structured finance and securitization transactions. Michael Seaton focuses on transactions involving public and private REITs, insurance and reinsurance companies, investment funds, and investment structuring. Avrohom Gelber is well known for his finance and capital markets expertise, including in CLO securitization transactions, while Jim Gouwar concentrates on the tax aspects of structured finance transactions such as mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations, and REMICs. Rebecca Pereira is also a key contact. Former practice head David Moldenhauer retired in May 2023.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 5

The financial restructuring group at Clifford Chance benefits  from expertise in other jurisdictions to handle the restructuring needs of multi-national businesses. Jennifer DeMarco  represents financial institutions, agents and borrowers in the US and Latin America, while Douglas Deutsch represents institutional investors and indenture trustees in out-of-court and in-court restructurings.  Michelle M. McGreal and Sarah N. Campbell represent a wide range of parties in Chapter 11 proceedings and financial restructuring transactions. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Private equity buyouts: large deals ($500m+) Tier 5

Cross-border deals are a standout area of focus for the team at Clifford Chance, which regularly leverages the firm’s global network and cross-practice offering to advise major domestic and international private equity clients such as EQT, KKR and Cinven on a broad range of transactions. The team is capable of handling complex domestic take-private acquisitions, carve-outs, and fund mergers, and it also advises private equity clients in connection with the launch of innovative projects, including Sixth Street’s joint venture with six leading soccer clubs to launch the Soccer Champions Tour platform. Sports and entertainment-focused private equity expert Neil Barlow is a key contact for this line of work and co-leads the practice with Kevin Lehpamer, who handles a broad range of transactions particularly in the healthcare, retail and tech sectors. M&A expert David Brinton is also recommended.

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: large deals ($1bn+) Tier 6

Sarah Jones and Benjamin Sibbett  co-head the New York-based Clifford Chance team, which primarily advises on multi-jurisdictional M&A and joint ventures across the life sciences, pharmaceutical, and energy sectors. Jones frequently assists multinational corporations with cross-border acquisitions, whilst Sibbett chiefly counsels domestic and international clients with deals in the media and industrials sectors. Neil Barlow focuses on private equity transactions, David Brinton is an expert on reorganizations and investments, whilst Kevin Lehpamer is knowledgeable on leveraged buyouts. Matthew Warner and Christine Kim are also highlighted as key contacts.

Energy > Energy transactions: oil and gas

Latin America: International firms > International arbitration Tier 4

Clifford Chance‘s connections to multinationals and their Latin American subsidiaries, along with Latin American corporates, provides the basis for a thriving international arbitration practice. The group routinely handles cases from Mexico down to Argentina, and demonstrates an especially strong record in energy and construction cases. It frequently represents clients in international arbitrations relating to EPC and RPC contracts, oil and gas pipelines, power plants, mining and concession contracts. Active on cases throughout the region (including those in the construction, infrastructure, energy, and oil and gas sectors), Washington DC-based José García Cueto has all the hallmarks of an emerging star. While only promoted to the partnership in mid-2022, he is already something of a client favourite (‘a rising star’, ‘a crack’, ‘outstanding work’) and is highlighted for his management of audiences, strategy design and anticipation of his counterparts’ movements. Key associate support in the ‘young but experienced team’, comes from multilingual Paris-based senior Marie-Isabelle Delleur, and intermediates Florencia Bohl and Hernan Chiriboga in DC. The team was strengthened further in September 2023 with the hire of associate Pablo Mori - formerly of GST.

Latin America: International firms > Banking and finance

Clifford Chance houses a fully-rounded Latin America banking and finance practice. It is particularly noted for energy and infrastructure finance, and holds excellent connections to multilateral agencies (MLAs), export credit agencies (ECAs) and development finance institutions (DFIs), primarily through its Washington DC office. IDB Invest, IFC and Financiera de Desarrollo Nacional are amongst its key clients. The firm also has key banking and finance practitioners in its New York, Sao Paulo and Madrid offices. Key markets for the team include Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Mexico, Peru and Colombia. It has also made a considerable impression on smaller markets such as El Salvador, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Honduras and Panama. Along with new money lending, the firm has an established record in major debt restructurings, especially in the aviation sector. Sustainability-linked financings are another forte, while it has made further inroads in acquisition finance, notably advising the lenders, issuing banks and hedge providers on the $1.2bn equivalent multi-tranche and dual-currency financing for Sociedad Transmisora Metropolitana’s acquisition of the entire stake in Enel Transmisión Chile. Fabricio Longhin has an outstanding reputation in the market, representing agencies, development banks and commercial lenders, amongst others, while partners Jessica Springsteen, Lori Bean and senior counsel Catherine McCarthy are also intensely focused on Latin America. New York partner Douglas Deutsch is noted for debt restructurings. Counsel Alberto Haito is another impressive practitioner. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.

Latin America: International firms > Projects and energy

Clifford Chance has a large team of Latin America specialists, which has built close connections to multilateral agencies and development banks, commercial banks and sponsors. It remains noted for its energy and infrastructure work in Colombia, although it has extensive geographic coverage, including projects and energy transactions in the Dominican Republic, Chile, Brazil, Uruguay and Ecuador. The firm has a history of advising on large conventional project financings, and has built its presence in project and infrastructure bonds. It is also at the forefront of green bonds and sustainability-linked financings. Moreover, it has earned accolades for its work in infrastructure financings, including toll roads, metro lines, mass transportation systems and port projects. The practice group is also increasing prominent in renewables, including solar and wind. Fabricio Longhin is a major name in energy and infrastructure projects, advising a range of multilateral lenders, commercial banks, sponsors and investors; he is a recognised force in Colombia infrastructure and renewables projects, along with major projects and energy transactions elsewhere in Latin America. Lori Ann Bean is also noted for representing development finance institutions (DFIs), export credit agencies (ECAs) and commercial banks on Latin America energy and infrastructure projects. New York partner Hugo Triaca provides further expertise in bond-driven financings and hybrid securities transactions, including green bonds and ESG-linked offerings. Jessica Springsteen and senior counsel Catherine McCarthy are also key figures in the team, along with counsel Alberto Haito. The launch of a Houston office, which included the hire of upstream oil-and-gas specialist David Sweeney from Akin in June 2023, has deepened the firm’s Latin America energy credentials. All named individuals are based in Washington DC unless stated otherwise.