At Clifford Chance LLP, ‘the expertise of the team covers the full spectrum of the market’ and clients note that it is ’top-tier legal engineering in the financial world’. The firm continues to be active across the entire spectrum of securitisation, and practice head Maggie Zhao stands out for her advice to originators, arrangers and investors on all forms of structured debt. Her recent work includes groundbreaking auto receivables and car rental deals. Christopher Walsh and Kevin Ingram are long-standing market leaders, with expertise in debt securitisation, asset-backed commercial paper conduits, and portfolio acquisitions. Adam Craig continues to build his reputation across public securitisations and private bi-lateral financings. Emma Matebalavu is global head of financial markets and specialises in mortgage finance transactions, while Simeon Radcliff has a particular focus on multi-jurisdictional trade receivables finance. Blake Jones joined from Paul Hastings LLP in 2024 to ramp up the firm’s capability in European CLO offerings and risk retention compliance. The ‘practical and solutions-driven’ Simi Arora-Lalani is highly recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The expertise of the team covers the full spectrum of the market. CC is the one-stop shop for top-tier legal engineering in the financial world.’
‘Maggie Zhao and Simon Connor stand out for their commitment, availability and deep understanding of all aspect of the matters they are involved in.’
'Deep experience and broad coverage.'
'Kevin Ingram and Adam Craig. Kevin is an institution in the market and Adam is strong up-and-coming partner.'
'Excellent team with strong strength in depth. Senior associates and associates all very technically strong, backed by (generally) present and active partners.'
'Simi Arora-Lalani provides excellent practical advice, is a solutions-driven lawyer and can be a really important cog in our team when it comes to executing transactions.'
‘CC provided exceptional legal advice on our first securitisation. Their advice was in line with market expectations, bang up to date, commercially pragmatic, delivered quickly and in a way that may it easy for us to understand and manage in line with our governance processes. The whole process was seamlessly led by CC. They drove the timetable, the process and managed all other parties so we debuted into the market perfectly on time, and we very well received by our investors.’
‘Simi Arora-Lalani delivers complex legal advice in a straightforward, commercially pragmatic way, enabling the business to make sound informed decisions quickly. Simi's understanding of all areas of securitisation meant that she understood the broader implications (such as accounting treatment) which allows her to deliver up to date, market leading advice. Simi manages a highly effective, outcome-focused team who project managed the whole end to end project to an ambitious timetable, delivering a well structured securitisation into the market when market conditions are a good as they can be.’
Key clients
- Avis Budget Group
- Bayview Asset Management
- Castlelake
- Cerberus
- Citi
- Close Brothers
- Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Fortress
- HSBC
- ING
- Loyds Bank
- M&G Investments
- Morgan Stanley
- NatWest Markets
- NewDay
- New Wave Capital Limited
- Nottingham Building Society
- OneSavings Bank
- PIMCO
- Rothesay
Work highlights
Advised Vantage Data Centers, a leading global provider of hyperscale data center campuses, on the first Data Centre ABS in EMEA.
Advised HSBC as drafting counsel on the $240 million securitisation facility provided to Intermediate Capital Group to finance capital calls on investors in its LP Secondaries Fund I.
Acted as structuring counsel to New Wave Capital Limited as sponsor in relation to a new master trust structure.
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.
Adam Craig
Maggie Zhao
Practice head
Maggie Zhao
Other key lawyers
Emma Matebalavu; Christopher Walsh; Adam Craig; Kevin Ingram; Simeon Radcliff; Blake Jones; Simon Connor; Simi Arora-Lalani