Housed within the overarching commercial lending group, which is led by Emma Howdle-Fuller, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner advises borrowers across a considerable volume of acquisition finance mandates. Some of this work flows from mid-market focused private equity sponsors, a source of work which has grown in volume since the recent enhancement of the team’s corporate offering with the hiring of Perry Yam from Mayer Brown International LLP. The team also handles a considerable volume of corporate lending and corporate-led acquisition finance work, with Derek Hrydziuszko particularly noted for his versatile financing prowess which includes debt financings throughout the capital structure, including on new money and refinancings. Shanan Dunstan is also a key member of the team, including on acquisition finance mandates utilising ABL debt, as is Lerika Le Grange, who joined in May 2025 from Taylor Wessing LLP.
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Key clients

  • TFG Brands (London)
  • Cibes Lift Group
  • Nordea Bank
  • Playtech
  • Collinson
  • Société BIC
  • Rabobank
  • Harlan Capital Partners
  • Aferian
  • Berry Global Group

Work highlights

Advising Playtech on a cross-border facility agreement in the context of its €2.3bn disposal of Snaitech.
Advised Collinson on financing provided in connection with the acquisition of a target to support its lounge expansion aspirations.
Advising BIC on its cross-border acquisition of 100 per cent of the equity interest in Tangle Teezer, for cash consideration and the redemption of loan notes held by the sellers.

Practice head

Emma Howdle-Fuller

Other key lawyers

Derek Hrydziuszko; Shanan Dunstan; Lerika Le Grange