Experienced in structured product transactions across all major asset classes, Baker McKenzie also advises on structured finance regulatory matters, both as standalone mandates and in connection with capital markets, leveraged finance, and asset repackaging transactions. The practice is led by Simon Porter, who advises arrangers, issuers and trustees on a broad range of finance and securities matters, with notable experience in transactions involving Middle Eastern debt capital markets. A wide-ranging OTC derivatives and structured products practice underpins the work of Iolie Calochristos, whose expertise includes currency and interest rate swaps, as well as options transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Jeremy Levy, the partner who leads the team we work with, is always available - he is very personable (which counts for a lot when under pressure) and has deep expertise and experience in the area of structured finance.
- BM has a deep knowledge of the invoice factoring industry and clearly has an extensive network, which it can leverage in order to bring further insights and expertise. Because BM works across a wide range of structured finance products, it is always able to bring useful context and broader perspectives to bear when discussing our issues. It strikes an excellent balance between technical expertise and a commercial approach.
- Good knowledge of the legal ecosystem for this type of transaction. Very active in the space, allowing for the provision of market comparables.
- This practice distinguishes itself through a combination of technical excellence, commercial judgment, and a genuinely client-focused approach, consistently delivering advice that is both legally robust and practically actionable.
- The individuals we work with are Matthew Dening (Partner) and Iolie Calochristos (Counsel). They stand out for their combination of technical excellence, responsiveness, and strong commercial judgment, which together differentiate them clearly from their competitors. They deliver advice that is both legally rigorous and highly practical, consistently demonstrating a deep understanding of our business and risk appetite.
- The individuals we have worked with stand out for their ability to make a genuinely complex process feel manageable and even reassuring. What differentiates them from competitors is not just technical brilliance but the quality of their judgment and the care they bring to every interaction. They listen before they advise, they anticipate before you ask, and they remain calm and decisive precisely when it matters most. There is a rare intellectual honesty to how they engage with problems, always giving you their real view rather than the comfortable one. Working with them feels less like instructing external counsel and more like having a trusted partner in the room.
Key clients
- Advent International
- Afreximbank
- Banco Sabadell
- Citibank
- GLAS
- HSBC
- Natixis
- Standard Chartered Bank
- Sysco
- UBS, London Branch
- Walgreen Boots Alliance
- MUFG
Work highlights
Advised Sysco on the establishment of Sysco Global Holdings B.V.’s EUR 750 million guaranteed commercial paper programme.
Advised U.S. Bank Corporate Trustee Limited, in its roles including Security Agent and Trustee, on multiple 2025–2026 public and private data centre securitisations for Vantage and Yondr.
Advised Walgreens Boots Alliance on the carve‑out and reorganisation aspects of its USD 23.7 billion acquisition by Sycamore Partners, including advice on structured products and derivatives
Lawyers
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
Simon Porter
Other key lawyers
Iolie Calochristos