Sidley Austin LLP‘s global finance practice is ’knowledgeable, efficient, and genuinely enjoyable to work with’, and its securitisation specialists in London continue to deepen their expertise in key areas of the market. Lead partner Rupert Wall is ‘a leader in structured finance’ and clients praise him as ’brilliantly sharp and relentlessly driven’. He is active in the CLO market for the likes of CVC, Permira and Spire Capita, as well as advising on complex and often esoteric securitisation. A prime example is his work for JP Morgan on the £233m securitisation of art loan receivables, a highly novel asset class. Azeem Sulemanji has a particular focus on European CLOs, but as part of a broader practice that spans numerous structured finance, securitisation and structured lending transactions. He recently assisted new client LGT Capital with closing its inaugural CLO warehouse. Luke Stowe, who joined as counsel from Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP in late 2024, is a key adviser to CLO managers.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Rupert Wall is extremely experienced combining a high level of technical ability with commercial understanding of transactions. Luke Stowe is a recent hire who is and extremely capable and responsive lawyer.'
- 'Recent lateral hires have expanded the strength in depth of the team.'
- ‘Rupert Wall is brilliantly sharp and relentlessly driven. His tenacity and deep expertise make him an indispensable force in any complex deal.’
- ‘Knowledgeable, efficient, and genuinely enjoyable to work with. We have relied on this team for years, and they consistently deliver.’
- ‘Rupert Wall knows securitisation regulations and also how to describe that to clients.’
- ‘Rupert Wall has a strong knowledge of securitisation and is able to translate complex securitisation topics to something a layman would understand.’
Key clients
- CVC Credit (CLO)
- Jaja Finance / KKR / TDR Capital (Securitisation)
- Brigade Capital (CLO)
- ABN AMRO Bank N.V. (Securitisation)
- Permira Credit (CLO)
- Zenith / Bridgepoint (Securitisation)
- J.P. Morgan (Securitisation)
- Spire Partners (CLO)
- Beryllium / Icelake (Securitisation)
- RBC Bluebay (CLO)
- LGT (CLO)
- Fair Oaks Capital (CLO)
Work highlights
Advised J.P. Morgan on a securitisation of art loans for auction house Sotheby’s.
Advised CVC Credit, Spire Partners and Permira on multiple European CLO issuances.
Advised ABN AMRO on a securitisation of residential mortgage loans originated by Perenna Bank.
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.
Practice head
Rupert Wall
Other key lawyers
Luke Stowe; Azeem Sulemanji; Rei See