A&O Shearman has ‘a dedicated trade finance team' and not simply 'an extra string to a financing partner’s more generalist bow’. The firm is known for its prowess and thought leadership in complex financing transactions, including highly structured trades, yet it is additionally active across the entire trade finance spectrum- from commodity finance to receivables and inventory monetisation transactions. ’Pragmatic, commercially-minded and very positive’ head of global trade and commodities Catherine Lang-Anderson is an indispensable adviser to banks, private equity sponsors, commodities traders, governments and regulators. Head of the export credit agency (ECA) practice Lorraine Bayliss and trade, commodities and emerging markets debt finance expert Greg Brown play pivotal roles in the practice. Bayliss recently advised senior lenders and cover providers on the €4.2bn greenfield project financing for the construction of the world’s first large-scale green steel plant in Sweden. The firm also calls on risk transfer specialist and co-head of global financial markets Guy Antrobus and derivatives expert Parya Badie.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team (across Europe) at AOS is a dedicated trade finance team and not, as for some other firms, an extra string to a financing partner's more generalist bow. The partners know their subject and always seem enthusiastic about supporting both banks and businesses operating in the trade and commodities sector, actively engaging with initiatives of the LMA to expand the documentation specific to the sector and participating in trade conferences. The firm has over the years made a focus of both diversity and technology and in doing so demonstratively supported the career advancement of women with children in particular: however skeptical you may be of the standard marketing blurb of many law firms; AOS walks the talk.’
‘Catherine Lang-Anderson is pragmatic, commercially-minded and very positive. A person you want to work with, as she is both personable and capable of explaining legal technicalities in a clear and concise way. Her extensive knowledge (both legal and of the industry), straight-forward approach and clear thinking when dealing with complex issues make her an easy person to recommend as legal counsel, whatever side of a transaction you are on.’
‘We engaged A&0 Shearman to act as our lead counsel on a multimillion-dollar trade receivables financing programme. The team led by Catherine Lang-Anderson was exceptional; the quality of the work product was outstanding, and the knowledge and conscientiousness of the team was exemplary. The team worked under high pressure, and often under considerable time constraints, to get the deal done. We are very thankful to the team and would certainly use them again on another trade finance transaction.’
‘The core A&O Shearman team comprised Catherine Lang-Anderson, Niamh Dennehy-Maher and Isabella Lewis; the team was extremely conscientiousness throughout the transaction and the quality of the work product produced - often in short time periods - was outstanding. I would certainly work with them again and wish them continued success in their careers.’
‘The team that I worked with showed not only in-depth understanding of the Trade Products but also how these products fit with other funding structures that the corporate already had in place. This sometimes firms are very good in the transaction but have limited perspective on how it fits in the overall structure of the client. In addition, A&O Sherman team as very good understanding of how the trade market works in general which is critical when negotiating with the counterparty.’
‘Commercial approach to the transaction not everything under legal lenses. Understanding of the financial structure in which the Trade facility will operate.’
Key clients
- Polestar AB
- Greenergy Fuels Limited
- Modulaire Group
- UK Export Finance
- European Investment Bank
- Euler Hermes
- ICBC Standard Bank plc
- Amius Limited
Work highlights
Advising Stellex Capital Management, a private equity firm with over USD$ 2.8 billion in assets under management, on asset-based financing aspects of its acquisition of Fox Brothers Holdings Group, a UK-based provider of services to the construction and infrastructure sectors.
Advising the senior lenders and cover providers (European Investment Bank, Nordic Investment Bank, Euler Hermes and Riksgälden, as well as more than 20 commercial banks) on a greenfield project financing for the construction of the world's first large-scale green steel plant and Europe's first giga-scale electrolyser in Boden, Sweden.
Advising Polestar Automotive Holding UK PLC, the Swedish electric performance car brand, on securing USD$ 950 million in external funding.
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.
Catherine Lang-Anderson
Practice head
Catherine Lang-Anderson
Other key lawyers
Greg Brown; Niamh Dennehy-Maher; Isabella Lewis; Lorraine Bayliss; Guy Anthrobus; Parya Badie