Bird & Bird has a strong offering across finance and payments-related financial regulation, regularly acting for borrowers on venture debt, acquisition finance and real estate finance. The team is led by the duo Jori Taipale, who draws on over two decades of finance experience, and Kristiina Lehvilä, who routinely instructs on the financings of security issuances. Central to William Schofield‘s practice is guiding clients on venture debt facilities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘We have worked with the team for many years on our investments in the venture space. They are exceptional in their quality and commercial understanding of what we are trying to achieve. They are quick to respond, available, and have creative solutions.’
- ‘Struan Penwarden stands out for us, exceptional, very much in the detail and commercial. Will Schofield is a key part of the team that we rely on and work with. They are very easy to work with and have a good rapport with the team.’
- ‘Experienced, business-minded.’
Key clients
- S-Bank Plc (S-Pankki Oyj)
- Elisa Corporation
Work highlights
Advising S-Bank Plc on an EUR 2,000,000,000 facilities agreement relating to funding its acquisition of the Finnish private customer, asset management and investment services operations of Svenska Handelsbanken AB (publ).
Advising a telecoms company on an EUR 360,000,000 Facilities Agreement and related security arrangements.
Advising a syndicate of lenders on the refinancing of a c. EUR 1,000,000,000 facility and a new facility to a Finnish construction company.
Practice head
Kristiina Lehvilä; Jori Taipale
Other key lawyers
William Schofield; Struan Penwarden