Ashurst is ‘creative in finding legal solutions’, and stands out for its ’flexibility and pragmatic, solution-driven mindset’. Alex Biles leads the global markets team that spans across UK and the US jurisdictions, and he oversees the derivatives and structured products practice led by James Coiley and Michael Logie, who provides ‘excellent pragmatic and commercial advice’. The firm has one of the largest practices in the City, and is a trusted advisor to leading investment banks, as well as a host of major buy-side clients and private capital managers. Among its standout practitioners are Daniel Franks, who handles the full range of complex derivatives, structured finance, securities lending and repos; James Knight, who ’goes above and beyond to ensure his clients are kept happy’ and advises leading investment banks on credit, rates and equity derivatives; and Kerion Ball works on capital-driven synthetic risk transfer transactions, as well as commodity and equity-linked derivatives. Jeffrey Yow is ‘a rising star and a go-to counsel for structured products’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Michael Logie - the best structured products partner in London - excellent pragmatic and commercial advice - always available and a calm voice during stressful times.'
'The team is expert-led by James Coiley and James Knight and brings a high level of legal and commercial understanding to complex transactions. The team is creative in finding legal solutions and is very good at thinking around issues. The team is also very responsive and is adept at prioritising work to meet multiple demands in single transactions and across a broader transaction portfolio.'
'James Coiley and James Knight are very approachable, user friendly and responsive, bringing a high level of legal / technical understanding to transactions.'
'The team stands out for its multidisciplinary expertise, flexibility and pragmatic, solution-driven mindset. We particularly appreciated their ability to understand our operational/organisational constraints, adapt to last-minute changes, and deal constructively with tense or slow negotiations involving multiple parties. Their collaborative approach and understanding of both legal and commercial issues enabled us to move forward and close the transaction. The team demonstrates its agility and tailors its advice to the dynamics of each transaction, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.'
'Deep legal expertise and outstanding interpersonal skills. In particular, Kerion Ball and Yang Wang have consistently demonstrated remarkable patience, active listening and a real commitment to supporting us during tough negotiations. Their availability, even at short notice, and their calm have been especially valuable to our team. Their client-centric approach and willingness to understand and overcome our challenges- rather than providing standard legal answers- have made a real difference.'
'The team are highly knowledgeable. Whenever we have had issues or complex structures, they have not shied away from asking key questions to understand exactly what the intention is. They work hard to not only highlight concerns and risks, but also present solutions in a very timely and cost efficient way. What really makes them stand out is that they take on feedback and implement this on subsequent matters, making it a pleasure to instruct the team on complex work. Although the leg work is carried out by juniors and support offices (as is often the case these days by many firms) the work is evidently reviewed by senior lawyers and/or partners to ensure the advice and output is of a high standard.'
Key clients
- Citigroup
- J.P. Morgan
- Deutsche Bank AG
- Nomura International PLC
- Shawbrook Bank Limited
- Societe Generale
Work highlights
Advising Shawbrook Bank Limited on its GBP£150,000,000 risk mitigation arrangement (by way of financial guarantee) with the British Business Bank ("BBB") under BBB's Enable Build Guarantee Scheme.
Advising Deutsche Bank AG on its risk sharing facility (by way of unfunded risk participation) of up to EUR€350,000,000 with the International Finance Corporation ("IFC").
Advising Nomura International PLC in relation to a circa $255mn "combo-repo" transaction facing Banco Santander, whereby Nomura provided repo financing to Santander supported by additional pledge credit support in order to deal with wrong-way risk.
Lawyers
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Leading associates
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Practice head
Alex Biles; James Coiley; Michael Logie
Other key lawyers
Daniel Franks; James Knight; Kerion Ball; Jeffrey Yow; Yang Wang