Acting on its own as well as frequently as part of a cross-office, multidisciplinary offering, the ‘attentive and knowledgeable’ team at Clifford Chance LLP excels in handling cross-border restructuring/insolvency matters involving complex capital structures. Although the firm picks up its fair share of debtor mandates, it is perhaps best-known for its creditor work, including for banks on deals where it papered the original documentation. Under the leadership of the vastly experienced Philip Hertz, the team has recently handled a myriad of recent mandates within heavily regulated sectors, including the financial services and infrastructure/energy sectors. ’Class act’ Melissa Coakley has been key to much of this work and is noted for her indefatigable approach, leaving ‘no stone unturned in finding creative solutions’. Other core members of the team include David Towers, whose wide-ranging practice for a range of stakeholders, includes work involving Southern African situations; Iain White, whose recent work has included advice to lenders on distressed real estate situations; and John MacLennan, who continues to handle work for a leading airline lessor as a creditor on numerous aviation restructurings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is attentive and knowledgeable.'
- 'It is a cohesive team that plays to its strengths.'
- 'Melissa Coakley is a class act who takes time to get to know her clients and leaves no stone unturned in finding creative solutions.'
- 'They have the ability to think outside the box and find solutions that have not been tested previously. Also, the team is big enough to ensure that when additional resources are needed, people can step in seamlessly.'
- 'I was quite impressed with how David Towers managed the process, negotiating with the other stakeholders in a such a professional and calm fashion. He was instrumental in us achieving the outcome we wanted, providing spot-on guidance on which battles were worth fighting for.'
- 'The team is a standout force in complex cross-border insolvencies and financial restructurings, combining technical expertise and seamless global co-ordination.'
Key clients
- Bank of Ireland
- Bio City Development Company
- Danske Bank A/S, Danmark
- David Soden and Ian Wormleighton of Teneo as liquidators of ES Bankers (Dubai) Limited
- David Soden, Rob Fishman and Matt Rowe of Teneo as administrators to Sberbank
- Hudson Structured Capital Management
- Link Fund Solutions Limited
- M&G Investment Management Limited
- Matalan Retail Limited
- Navantia
- Nordea Bank
- Nykredit Bank
Work highlights
Advised the RCF SteerCo Group on all aspects of Intrum's high-profile balance sheet restructuring.
Advised Navantia in respect of its purchase of the assets and business of Harland & Wolff out of pre-packaged administration.
Advised the JBF group's largest secured creditors in respect of a novel debt for equity swap.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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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.
Melissa Coakley
Practice head
Philip Hertz
Other key lawyers
John MacLennan; Iain White; David Towers; Melissa Coakley; Tim Lees; Christopher Norman; Kasia Lorenc; Lewis Cymbal