Dentons is ‘quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with for both project and document management’ work. The firm is able to leverage its global footprint and the broad experience of its London team to not only handle day-to-day derivatives work in developed and emerging markets, but also carve out a prominent role in emerging areas such as carbon and ESG derivatives, and play a key role in the development of complex structured products. Head of derivatives Matthew Sapte has ’a wealth of experience’ in structured finance. He recently assisted Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank with the development of a sharia-compliant repo template document as a key tool to increase liquidity for Islamic banks. ‘Phenomenal partner’ Luke Whitmore is ’always willing to brainstorm ideas’, while Toby Gray is a highly regarded specialist in complex securitised derivative products, with a particular emphasis on synthetic securitisation, SPV-based structured finance transactions, and bespoke repackagings. Counsel Ruhi Patil specialises in synthetic securitisations, repack programmes, and credit derivatives.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The derivatives group at Dentons is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with for both project and document management and highly technical digital asset work. The paralegal function is exceptional for speed of document negotiation projects and legal opinion management and very cost effective for in-house counsel. The partners and associates are rapidly coming up to speed in the digital asset space and transactional documents relating to venues and prime brokers.'
- 'Luke Whitmore is a phenomenal partner in this team. His training of associates and paralegals is clear in their work output. He is always willing to brainstorm ideas and it really feels like he is part of your in-house team with the way he grasps internal mechanisms, systems and controls. He is fantastic to collaborate with. He is also great at managing the global Dentons franchise and ensuring that you get full service on crossborder matters. It's useful to have him following those deals alongside your team and chasing up or questioning points where necessary. A solid all rounder.'
'A highly skilled and responsive team who can handle a wide range of derivatives matters at very reasonable cost.'
'Luke Whitmore - very experienced derivatives and regulatory lawyer who can turn his hand to any problem and matter in this field. Extremely responsive and very practical in his advice. Matthew Sapte - a go-to partner for any derivatives matter. Brings a wealth of experience and finely honed ability to matters in this field. As good as any magic circle partner.'
‘Toby Gray - very experienced professional, very client-focused, smart, high quality.’
'Dentons is able to advise across all derivative asset classes, and securities financing work. What sets it apart is its i) global footprint giving clients access to local market legal expertise in emerging and developing markets with the technical product expertise overlayed by the London office; ii) actual knowledge of securities financing in the context of 3rd party custodians and the new pledge structures; and 3) credible expertise in prime brokerage and clearing which most firms do not have. The partners are very accessible, and supervise their associates, both of which often is lacking at other firms.'
Key clients
- BNP Paribas
- Wells Fargo
- Lloyds Bank
- Natixis
- Landesbank Baden-Württemberg
- Janus Henderson
- Linear Investments Limited
- Titan Asset Management
- Emirates NBD
- Leonteq Securities
- Societe Generale
- PGGM Vermogensbeheer B.V.
Work highlights
Acted for various repo counterparties to Ahli United Bank (AUB) as it restructured its funding arrangements to be Sharia compliant following AUB's acquisition by Kuwait Finance House.
Acted for ADIB to develop a Sharia compliant repo template document (using a double wa'ad, and not a collateralised Murabaha structure).
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Luke Whitmore
Practice head
Matthew Sapte
Other key lawyers
Luke Whitmore; Toby Gray; Ruhi Patil