Combining ‘technical skill and a strong understanding of the market’, Linklaters LLP provides ’practical and commercial advice’ to investment-grade borrowers and lenders across a range of corporate and structured lending. Acting on its own as well as regularly alongside practitioners in other key global offices, the team excels in handling big-ticket and often highly structured cross-border transactions. Toby Grimstone has strong visibility among creditors and debtors, which are appreciative of his versatile offering, including on corporate lending, trade finance, and public M&A financing matters. Grimstone recently advised the underwriting banks on the bridge financing to help facilitate BAE Systems plc’s $5.55bn acquisition of Ball Aerospace from Ball Corporation. Ian Callaghan also has public M&A financing expertise, as well as a strong lender practice that leans heavily towards margin lending and fund financings. James Martin, who is praised for his ‘ability to get the point through in a succinct and simple way’, has a versatile offering for banks and corporates, including on deals with a Middle Eastern nexus – where clients also benefit from his insight into Islamic finance structures. ’Technically excellent yet highly commercial’, Caroline Courtney excels in advising corporates and lenders on syndicated lending matters, including on event-driven transactions such as M&A and IPO-related financings. Of the more junior practitioners, Sam Mahboubian has excellent traction among banks and large corporates, advising them on a myriad of new money and distressed transactions, while senior associate Atish Shah continues to impress on crossover credit and investment grade financings. Oliver Edwards co-heads the corporate lending and structured finance offering alongside Grimstone. Peter Hayes joined in May 2025 from Paul Hastings LLP.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘The team provides a combination of technical skill, strong market understanding and a commercial approach. The ability to get the point through in a succinct and simple way, easily digestible by non-lawyers.’
- 'The team is pragmatic, collaborative and easy to deal with, which makes a big difference on fast-moving cross-border transactions.'
- 'I really value the breadth and depth of experience of the firm and that the entire team are joined up.'
‘James Martin displays a practical and commercial approach. The ability to get the point through in a succinct and simple way, easily digestible by non-lawyers.'
'Caroline Courtney is technically excellent, yet highly commercial. Caroline’s advice on the more nuanced points cuts through the jargon to focus us on what we should push in our negotiations and how we might get comfort elsewhere when required.'
'Linklaters assisted us with refinancing work, including drafting and local counsel coordination. The transaction completed very efficiently.'
'Toby Grimstone always understands the bigger picture and the context of the financing against our groups commercial and financial objectives. He is a pleasure to work with and always responsive and willing to consider bespoke solutions to our issues.'
'Deep understanding of both the Luxembourg market and how its fits into our company structure.'
'I really value the breadth and depth of experience of the firm and that the entire team are joined up – Caroline Courtney on the banking side is in regular contact with other parts of the firm that we are dealing with and is on top of issues in real-time.'
Key clients
- Rio Tinto plc
- Petrofac
- Viterra
- Helios Towers plc
- Nestlé S.A.
- Anglo American plc
- BHP
- Balfour Beatty plc
- Vistry Group plc
- Black Coffee
- IG Group
- Lafarge Holcim
- Glencore
- Nando’s
- National Grid plc
- Vodafone Group plc
- Travis Perkins plc
- Experian plc
- Unilever plc
- Endeavour Mining plc
Work highlights
Advised Nestlé S.A.in relation to a combined $11bn refinancing across a duo of facilities.
Advised Citibank and Bank of America as joint underwriters, arrangers and bookrunners on the bridge financing for BAE Systems plc's $5.55bn acquisition of Ball Aerospace from Ball Corporation.
Advised Unilever on thirteen USD and EUR revolving credit facilities agreements and seven EUR revolving credit facility agreements for a combined $5.2bn and €2.7bn.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Toby Grimstone; Oliver Edwards
Other key lawyers
Ian Callaghan; Caroline Courtney; Peter Hayes; James Martin; Will Evans; Sam Mahboubian; Atish Shah; Shao-Ling Angoh