Mayer Brown International LLP has recently expanded its practice and client base, alongside having been involved in increasingly high-value and innovative transactions. ‘Their deep knowhow in trade finance and cross-border commercial law is evident,’ state clients of the team led by Alex Dell– who frequently acts for banks, private credit funds, sponsors and corporates in multi-jurisdictional receivables financing, inventory monetisation and borrowing base loans. Ash McDermott’s practice focuses on complex, cross-border loan financings, while drawing upon his in-depth understanding of emerging markets, export and agency finance, and structured trade and commodity finance. He recently worked with colleagues in São Paulo to advise Citibank and SACE on a $400m syndicated loan facility for Brazilian electricity company Eletrobras. Charles Thain‘s practice spans traditional trade finance instruments, receivables finance, supply chain finance, inventory monetisation, borrowing base finance and risk distribution structures for financial institutions, sponsors, corporates and fintech companies. He has a ’remarkable combination of strategic insight and deep subject matter expertise’. Clients also note that the junior ranks, including Angeli Sunmonu and James England, are ‘extremely diligent, responsive, and solution-focused’.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'I had an outstanding experience working with the law firm during multiple recent trade finance transactions. From the outset, their deep knowhow in trade finance and cross-border commercial law was evident. They quickly grasped the complexity of the deal structure and navigated everything with clarity. They are solution-oriented. Rather than simply identifying potential issues, they consistently proposed well-thought-out, practical solutions that protected our interest while keeping the transaction moving forward. The collaboration throughout the process was top-notch.'
- 'The team was highly responsive, communicative, and worked seamlessly not only with our internal stakeholders but also with our counterparties. It felt like true partnership built on trust and mutual respect. Professionalism defined every interaction. The firm operated with complete transparency, ensuring we were fully informed at every stage. Overall, their combination of expertise, dedication, and client-first mindset made the entire transactions smooth and successful.'
- 'What truly elevated the experience was the exceptional quality of both the partner and the junior lawyer who worked with us. The partner, Charles Thain, brought a remarkable combination of strategic insight and deep subject matter expertise. His ability to see the broader commercial picture while managing legal detail was key to the success. He is decisive, calm under pressure, and consistently provided clear, confident guidance - even in moments of uncertainty or complexity. His leadership gave us complete confidence that we were in capable hands.'
- 'Juniors are equally impressive, who demonstrated maturity and skill well beyond their years. They were extremely diligent, responsive, and solution focused always prepared, always on top of the details, and never letting anything fall through the cracks. Their drafting was sharp, their communication clear, and their attitude very professional. The synergy between the partner and junior lawyer created a seamless, high-performing team dynamic that delivered both strategic value and day-to-day execution with precision.'
- 'The Trade Finance team at Mayer Brown has extensive knowledge of the market, and their experience with both financial institutions and corporates provides the balance view that is essential for successful negotiations. Their global reach is helpful when there is a need to cover varying jurisdictions in one transaction, eliminating the hassle of having to engage different law firms.'
- 'Charles Thain is an excellent lawyer. His experience with various different trade transactions and his deep knowledge of English law ensures that we have the most effective representation. He generously shares his experiences and knowledge, he provides prudent out of the box solutions, and his responsive. He is both professional and personable.'
Key clients
- Banco Santander
- Barclays Bank
- BNP Paribas
- Bradesco
- CIBC
- Citibank
- Cooperative Rabobank
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Deutsche Bank
- The Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank (TDB)
- HSBC
- ING
- JPMorgan Chase Bank
- Katsumi
- Lloyds Bank
- MUFG
- Pemberton Capital Advisors
- PB Factoring
- PNC
- Raiffeisen Bank International
Work highlights
Advised SMBC as Bookrunner, Mandated Lead Arranger and SACE Agent, acting alongside Citibank as Mandated Lead Arranger, on a first-of-its-kind EUR 100 million SACE push facility to the Eastern and Southern African Trade and Development Bank Group.
Advised Citibank (as coordinator) and SACE on a USD 400 million syndicated, SACE-covered loan facility to Eletrobras, the main Brazilian electricity company and the largest in Latin America.
Advised Pareto Securities on the first ever non-bank borrowing base. The lending group is comprised of five funds distributed across the USA, the UK, the EU and Asia.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Alex Dell
Other key lawyers
Charles Thain; Ash McDermott; Angeli Sunmonu; James England