
Fieldfisher is best known for structured transactions, but it continues to broaden out its exposure to the market, being frequently involved in deals that use traditional trade finance tools. Oliver Abel Smith leads the practice, drawing on his in-depth knowledge of energy and natural resources. In June 2025, Sam Fowler-Holmes joined from Sullivan & Worcester LLP, bringing extensive industry expertise. His experience spans both structured and unstructured trade products, and he has a strong track record in assisting alternative financial institutions and corporate clients with pre-export, pre-payment and borrowing base facilities, letter of credit, and other instruments. Project finance specialist Matthew Hinxman, who frequently acts for lenders and sponsors on major energy and natural resources financings in emerging markets, and Stephen Moller, who assists banks, asset managers, technology providers, and major corporates with banking and debt capital markets matters, also play pivotal roles in the practice. Hannah Rowbotham is also sought after for her knowledge in asset finance transactions, notably receivables finance structures.
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Key clients
- Banco do Brasil
- Habib Bank AG
- Europe Arab Bank
- eEnergy Group plc
- CT Automotive plc
Work highlights
Advising a commodity trading company on a prepayment financing to finance the acquisition of a gold doré mine in Turkey.
Advised AIM-listed client CT Automotive plc on a multi-jurisdictional $20,000,000 facility provided by FGI International.
Advised a London financial institution on its liabilities, protections and responsibilities as confirming bank under a letter of credit subject to "UCP 600" in circumstances where it was made aware of an allegation of fraud in the transaction.
Lawyers
Leading partners
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Practice head
Oliver Abel Smith
Other key lawyers
Sam Fowler-Holmes; Stephen Moller; Matt Hinxman; Hannah Rowbotham