Claire Armstrong > Dentons > Edinburgh, United Kingdom > Lawyer Profile

Split between London and Edinburgh, Dentons‘ listed funds team is called on by REITs, fund managers and sponsors in relation to a broad range of tasks, including s. 110 mergers, prospectus launches, changes in fund managers and day-to-day regulatory issues. Leading the team together are the ‘pragmatic’ Guy Norfolk, a specialist in the structuring of investment vehicles, and Claire Armstrong, whose practice covers capital raisings and fund transactions. Owen McLennan is noted for his regulatory expertise and is also well versed in fund structuring, while Sarah Wylie handles formation, fundraising and regulatory issues under MiFID II and AIFMD, among others.

With an ‘experienced and timely’ team that provides ‘practical advice and strong knowledge across sectors’, Dentons is experienced in handling a variety of premium cross-border and UK mandates that requires M&A, PE, venture capital and joint venture counsel. The practice has expanded its remit with listed funds and asset managers, and works with clients on a growing portfolio of impact investing and major company takeovers. Team leader Brian Moore has an extensive track record in cross-border instructions, as well as public and private M&A and equity capital markets work. Claire Armstrong is a go-to name for investment funds and oversees investments in a multitude of sectors, especially the energy, infrastructure and financial services industries. Adam Knowles is equipped to act on private M&A and private equity matters, and Owen McLennan is another name of note for funds work. Diana Mennie is recommended for her ability to advise on early-stage venture capital transactions and is well versed in the tech sector, while Paul Flynn has a strong transactional and advisory offering. Iain Sutherland  and Derek McCombe left the firm to join Addleshaw Goddard in October 2023.

Recently advising on financial regulatory and governance mandates, Dentons acts for a variety of clients, with a particular emphasis on closed-ended listed funds; the team is also expanding its fund formation offering. Team lead Claire Armstrong is the first port of call for close-ended listed funds, and also assists fund managers and sponsors with regulatory and transactional matters. Stuart Fitzsimmons is well-regarded for his strength in financing transactions, while Owen McLennan has recently advised on impact investing and fund establishment issues for first-time managers. Sarah Wylie provides further regulatory, advisory and transactional capabilities, while Sam Smart has been involved in investment and merger mandates.