Clifford Chance LLP’s derivatives and structured products practice is composed of ‘dedicated lawyers who provide great insights into derivatives, regulations, and market standard positions, and deliver clear, pragmatic and business-focused advice’. Practice head Timothy Cleary and key partner Jessica Littlewood are widely renowned as market-leading experts on synthetic securitisation and risk transfer transactions, in which the firm has seen significant growth. Paget Dare Bryan is a standout derivatives partner whose innovative work includes advice on carbon inventory forward and repo transactions. Faizal Khan and Will Winterton are called upon for their knowledge of bespoke equity-linked financing structures involving derivatives, repos, and securities lending. Anne Drakeford, who is ‘prepared to roll up her sleeves to get the deal done’, handles complex OTC fixed income, credit and equity-based derivatives. Emerging partner talent Jeremy Walter is ’a true expert in derivatives clearing‘. The firm hired Daniel Shurman from A&O Shearman in 2024 to strengthen its equity derivatives offering.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Will Winterton and Katy Parkes know our business, understand what is important to us and provide market leading advice with the minimum of fuss.’
‘Will Winterton is commercially sound, legally beyond question, and manages to keep people onside whilst moving at pace. Katy is a pleasure to work with, very commercial and manages to balance legal expertise with real-life pragmatism.’
‘Knowledgeable about the sector and the business. Technically sound. Respond quickly to urgent demands.’
‘Anne Drakeford - creative in meeting challenges and good at project managing the process. Understands the client's needs and business and prepared to roll up her sleeves to get the deal done. Well-connected in this sector and has deep experience.’
‘In-depth knowledge of the subject matter with long experience in the field. This allows for profound technical understanding - not only legal aspects of the transaction. Very flexible, responsive and pro-active which ensures smooth process.’
‘Jessica Littlewood is very knowledgeable in the field (both in technical aspects and legal matters), proactive with preparation of documentation and initiation of communications with third parties, very responsive in queries.’
'Jeremy Walter has been advising us on various legal and documentation matters for over 20 years, so he understands our industry extremely well. He is a true expert in derivatives clearing and has been helping us with legal opinions for many years.'
'Clifford Chance’s derivatives and structured products practice is composed of dedicated lawyers who provide great insights into derivatives, regulations, and market standard positions, and deliver clear, pragmatic and business-focused advice.'
Key clients
- IFC
- Bank Millennium
- Phoenix Merchant Partners LP
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Timothy Cleary
Other key lawyers
Paget Dare Bryan; Jessica Littlewood; Anne Drakeford; Faizal Khan; Will Winterton; Jeremy Walter; Katy Parkes; Michael Brown; Clemens-Emanuel Gutwenger