Fuelled by exponential growth at a partner level over the past few years, the ‘exceptional’ team at Paul Hastings LLP has the strength-in-depth to handle a significant range and volume of distressed cross-border mandates for a creditor/investor-focused client base. Funds are the lifeblood of the practice, whether it be assisting them on new money financings or in the context of restructuring procedures. William Needham, who joined in 2024 from KKR, co-heads the team alongside Lian. Other key practitioners include Helena Potts, who excels in handing formal and informal cross-border restructurings/refinancings; Jessica Ling, for secondary and par investors; and Tom McKay, who provides versatility across restructuring, insolvency and special situation matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team provides an exceptional and commercial approach.'
- 'Paul Hastings is an outstanding firm. They combine deep legal expertise with a commercial, client-focused approach that really sets them apart from others in the market.'
- 'Mei Lian represents the gold standard in finance and restructuring legal practice. Based on her combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness, client focus, and innovative thinking, I think she is one of the leading practitioners in this field.'
- 'Helena Potts is brilliant on restructuring and insolvency matters — clear, practical, and always on point.'
- 'Will Needham has a unique background that allows him to advise clients in the investment world in a differentiated manner.'
- 'Will Needham blends financial acumen with a collaborative, no-nonsense style.'
Key clients
- Carlyle Global Credit
- Goldman Sachs
- Metric Capital Partners
- Alpine Grove
- Park First
- Cheyne Capital
- KKR / KKR Credit
- CVC Credit
- Wilmington Trust
- abdrn
Work highlights
Advised an ad hoc group of bondholders in Nova, a leading salmon farming business in Chile, on a holistic restructuring through a Chilean insolvency proceeding.
Acting for KKR on the global restructuring of Dentix achieving a settlement with multiple counterparties that resolved several distinct Spanish insolvency proceedings/US proceedings and related €1bn+ litigation arising from the bankruptcies.
Advising KKR on the sale and restructuring of Selecta.
Lawyers
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.
Jessica Ling
Practice head
William Needham
Other key lawyers
Helena Potts; Jessica Ling; David Shennan; Tom McKay; Tawnee Harker