A&O Shearman's trade finance practice is 'top of the market, with superb legal knowledge, and great understanding and appreciation of commercial intent'. The firm is called upon by major trading houses and many international banks, as well as alternative funders, to handle complex and often structured trade finance deals. Catherine Lang-Anderson, who leads the global trade and commodities finance practice along with structured finance partner Daniel Shurman, is a key adviser to both traditional and alternative lenders, as well as borrowers, multilateral institutions and traders. Lang-Anderson and banking partner Greg Brown are 'the best debt financing lawyers in London', according to one client. Head of the ECA practice Lorraine Bayliss frequently leads complex cross-border transactions for multi-lateral finance institutions, a recent example being her work for senior lenders and cover providers on a $4.2bn greenfield financing for the world's first large-scale green steel plant and Europe's first giga-scale electrolyzer in Sweden. Banking specialists Oleg Khomenko and Niamh Dennehy-Maher are also heavily involved in trade finance transactions.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Excellent team and top of the market - role models. Superb legal knowledge. Great understanding and appreciation of commercial intent. Even-handed in working across the market and with issuers.’
‘Two partners stand out: Greg Brown and Catherine Lang-Anderson. Best debt financing lawyers in London.’
'The team is wonderful - highly skilled, commercial, industry experts and easy to work with.'
'Catherine Lang-Anderson - a true leader in her field and able to come up with innovative solutions to complex legal problems.'
‘Very knowledgeable with deep involvement in the industry. Last and not least easily reachable and available.’
‘Daniel Smith. Excellent from a technical perspective and always available.’
Key clients
- Polestar AB
- Greenergy Fuels Limited
- Modulaire Group
- UK Export Finance
- European Investment Bank
- Euler Hermes
- International Finance Corporation
- Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Bank
- ICBC Standard Bank plc
- MUFG
Work highlights
Advised a group of international commercial leaders (as lenders) on a USD1.1bn global borrowing base facility for Macquarie Group, secured by various commodities including carbon emission credits, held across Europe and the United States.
Advised the financiers on a project financing for the greenfield construction of an olefin complex in the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. The €3.5bn financing is provided by 21 commercial banks and the export credit agencies of the UK, Spain and Italy, alongside a loan guarantee of up to €500m from Gigarant, part of the Flemish government
Advised Brookfield-backed Modulaire Group, Europe and Asia Pacific’s leading business services company specialising in modular services and infrastructure, on the financings in relation to Modulaire’s acquisition of Mobile Mini UK Holdings Limited from a subsidiary of WillScot Mobile Mini Holdings Corp.
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.
Catherine Lang-Anderson
Practice head
Catherine Lang-Anderson; Daniel Shurman
Other key lawyers
Greg Brown; Daniel Shurman; Lorraine Bayliss; Oleg Khomenko; Niamh Dehenny-Maher; Daniel Smith