Displaying ‘a great balance of legal knowledge and practical application’, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP’s newly formed restructuring team has hit the ground running since bursting on to the legal market in September 2024, following the marquee hire of the ‘calm and composed’ Liz Osborne from Akin. As well as bringing her own fund connections with her following the move, Osborne has also been effectively able to leverage the London office’s blossoming leveraged finance offering, as well as the firm’s market-leading US presence to pick up the European elements of Chapter 11 processes. Other key contacts include ’deal-maker’ Kai Zeng, whose recent experience as an investment director at Blantyre Capital adds insight into the commercial drivers of special situations funds. The arrival of Nick Charlwood from A&O Shearman in June 2025 is another major statement of intent in light of his versatile offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The firm displays a great balance of legal knowledge and practical application.'
- 'The team is passionate, they always provide a fresh perspective that is incredibly well-thought-out and strive to find creative solutions to best serve their clients.'
- 'Liz Osborne is incredibly prepared and unfolds all options available to lenders and always has plan B ready to allow people to pivot quickly.'
- 'Liz Osborne is a calm and composed lawyer that can guide and lead negotiations and transaction without aggressively forcing points, which makes her very efficient in getting the deal done.'
- 'Liz Osborne is an awesome lawyer to work with. On the ball, concise and goal oriented, but also a very nice person to work with. Liz shows a broad understanding of the topics at hand and is creative.'
- 'Kai Zeng is a dealmaker.'
Key clients
- Ad hoc group of 2L lenders to Northvolt Ett
- Blantyre Capital
- HPS Investment Partners
- Apollo Capital Management, L.P.
- Mitel
- Kem One
Work highlights
Advised HPS Investment Partners in a recapitalization transaction with Vialto, a New York-based provider of global mobility, tax, and immigration solutions.
Advised an Ad hoc group of 2L lenders to Northvolt Ett, |during its restructuring negotiations and subsequent Chapter 11 filing.
Advised Kem One, a leading European chlorovinyls producer, on the negotiation and execution of a new €200m financing.
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.
Nick Charlwood
Practice head
Liz Osborne
Other key lawyers
Kai Zeng; Nick Charlwood; Richard Hornshaw; Patrick Mackenzie