The structured finance and derivatives team at Simmons & Simmons is ‘easy to work with, innovative and collaborative’. It is sought after by leading banks, alternative lenders and originators, private credit funds, trustees and other agents on a huge range of asset-backed financings, including public and private securitisation, specialty finance, portfolio acquisitions and disposals, and forward flow deals. Practice head Michael Lorraine is ’always able to provide practical solutions based on extensive experience’. He leads a team in which key practitioners are ‘truly masters of their art’. Amer Siddiqui continues to feature in landmark transactions, a recent example being his work for Barclays Bank on the €4.4bn Miltonia Mortgage Finance RMBS. Kathryn James has in-depth knowledge of consumer loan securitisations, RMBS and SME deals. The vastly experienced Matthew Monahan focuses on risk sharing and advises numerous dealers on the SPIRE repackaging platform. Kate Cofman is called upon to assist with cash securitisation and structured trade finance transactions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Good team ethos. Great to have a collection of such fabulous talented women partners. Easy to work with, innovative and collaborative. Pragmatic legal advice. All over the detail.’

  • ‘Very commercially focused, great understanding of the economics of the transactions, real value add on cash-flows etc. Friendly, approachable, fun. Client- and relationship-orientated - good value for money.’

  • ‘Collaboration within the S&S teams across borders (in Europe) and related expertise is smooth and effective, thus a plus for complex securitization type of deal structuring and tailoring. Fee quote vs value is competitive.’

  • ‘Worked with Kate Cofman (Partner) primarily, with her own strong expertise in the securitisation field, amplified by her management and colleagues based in London, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and Germany all rendering relevant supports on different aspects of a transaction on hand. Her communication skills particularly stand out, to enable the facility closure in a timely and satisfactory manner to address her clients' need and concern.’

  • ‘Very commercial advice, great collaboration across offices in different jurisdictions. Very proactive and good at keeping us up to date on matters and progress.’

  • ‘Michael Lorraine (Partner) - Excellent commercial advice and always able to provide practical solutions based on extensive experience. Very accessible and great to work with.’

Key clients

  • Jefferies
  • PGGM
  • BBVA
  • Funding Circle Limited
  • Bank of America
  • Banco Santander, S.A. & Lloyds Bank Corporate Markets plc
  • Citigroup
  • Morgan Stanley
  • BNP Paribas
  • Barclays
  • Fintern Limited

Lawyers

Leading partners

The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

Michael Lorraine

Other key lawyers

Kathryn James; Amer Siddiqui; Matthew Monahan; Kate Cofman