Finance
Led from London by the ‘commercial and experienced’ David Robson and also able to draw upon the firm’s wider international resources, Clifford Chance LLP remains well positioned to handle complex multi-jurisdictional leveraged and corporate finance mandates for a balanced mix of creditors and debtors. On the lender side, as well as continuing to develop its credit fund offering – which provides vital liquidity for borrowers seeking to access deals in the mid to upper-mid-market – the team’s longstanding investment bank connections have also provided an increased flow of work, as the broadly syndicated lending and high yield markets have recently experienced a resurgence. Swedish and UK-qualified practitioner Peter Dahlen is adept at advising on deals tapping into the institutional term loan B (TLB) market as well as on private credit deals, and has a particular focus on handling deals in the Nordic region. With a practice that spans a myriad of financial products, Emma Folds’s eclectic offering includes financings to facilitate corporate-led and infrastructure deals, as well as core private equity-backed leveraged transactions. For borrower work, Nick Kinnersley has good traction among sponsors, as does up-and-coming partner Neil Cavanagh, with Kinnersley also excelling in work for corporates, including in the context of public bid financings. Katherine Sinclair is a key member of the team in light of her strong and growing private credit credentials, and Julia House is highly active in the infrastructure sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Position
David Robson specialises in UK and cross-border financing focussing on leveraged financing, corporate event driven financing, investment grade lending and restructurings.
David has particular expertise in UK public bid financing.
Career
Admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria 2003
Joined Clifford Chance 2006
Partner since 2017
Admitted as a solicitor in England & Wales 2009
Education
University of Melbourne, Australia (Bachelor of Science) 1998
Monash University, Australia (Bachelor of Laws) 2001
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The firm has strength and depth and both loan and high yield capability. They are pragmatic and solutions-oriented.'
- 'Their strong client service, calm demeanour, and professionalism at all times - despite challenging engagements or projects - instils confidence from clients that objectives will be achieved at or above expectations at all times.'
- 'The breadth and depth of the team's capabilities, and integration with other practice areas (including corporate M&A), ensures a smooth transaction process for clients from start to finish.'
- ‘The excellent David Robson is very commercial and experienced.’
- 'Full service team of lawyers with very wide expertise not only in banking law but also other areas of law which are relevant on cross-border transactions (tax, competition, regulatory) and vast market knowledge. The geographical reach of the firm is also very helpful on such transactions.'
- 'Emma Folds is always very thorough and knowledgeable when addressing client queries. You know you're in safe hands when she is handling your transaction.'
- 'The Acquisition Finance Team at Clifford Chance has strength and depth and both loan and high yield capability. I have worked with them for many years. They are pragmatic and solution-oriented.'
- 'Commercial approach and ability to align stakeholders. Deep and high-quality bench.'
- 'Fiendly, personable, and collaborative. Super-sharp and commercial.'
Work highlights
Advised Swedish software developer IFS, alongside its sponsors, EQT, Hg, and TA Associates, in relation to a €500m TLB and a privately placed $300m Holdco PIK, used in part to finance the CAN$1bn acquisition of Canadian listed company Copperleaf Technologies Inc.
Advised Jacobs Holding on the unitranche financing co-arranged by CVC Credit and CAPZA in relation to the acquisition of ILERNA, a leading provider of official vocational education in Spain.
Advised CSG (the Czechoslovak Group) on the bridge financing and high yield notes and long term syndicated loans supporting the $2bn acquisition of The Kinetic Group, the leading US manufacturer of small-caliber ammunition (formed from Vista Outdoors).