Finance
Shoosmiths LLP‘s banking and finance team advises clients on a range of matters throughout the practice area. The group offers specialist advice on asset-based lending, leveraged and acquisition finance work, as well as general corporate banking and real estate finance matters. Furthermore, the team offers niche experience in the drafting of bank standard documentation, education finance matters, and pensions finance work. Jon Bew leads the Birmingham office, as well as acting as national head of the asset-based lending team, and area in which Natalie Barnes also has notable experience. In the real estate finance sector, David Adams has particular experience, often collaborating with the firm’s real estate experts.
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Profile
Work Department
Corporate banking.
Position
Partner
David is an experienced banking lawyer and advises some of the UK’s largest financial institutions in real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance (both sponsor and non-sponsor), pensions-related finance, restructuring, refinancing and asset-based lending.
He has exceptional technical expertise in this area of the law, which is underpinned by a superb track record in business development.
Recent examples of David’s work include:
- acting for a major high street bank in relation to a high profile business and property acquisition of a national fuel supply business;
- acting for a Midlands University in relation to two major funding projects, with funding for both development work and general corporate purposes being provided by two high street banks;
- acting for a Midlands based automotive parts and processes supplier in relation to the multi-jurisdictional asset based funding of a UK/Chinese joint venture; and
- acting for an overseas owned but Midlands based eye wear manufacturer and distributor in relation to their ongoing funding requirements.
Career
David is an experienced banking lawyer and advises some of the UK’s largest financial institutions in real estate finance, acquisition and leveraged finance (both sponsor and non-sponsor), pensions-related finance, restructuring, refinancing and asset-based lending.
He has exceptional technical expertise in this area of the law, which is underpinned by a superb track record in business development.
Recent examples of David’s work include:
- acting for a major high street bank in relation to a high profile business and property acquisition of a national fuel supply business;
- acting for a Midlands University in relation to two major funding projects, with funding for both development work and general corporate purposes being provided by two high street banks;
- acting for a Midlands based automotive parts and processes supplier in relation to the multi-jurisdictional asset based funding of a UK/Chinese joint venture; and
- acting for an overseas owned but Midlands based eye wear manufacturer and distributor in relation to their ongoing funding requirements.
David was previously lead partner for the Midlands banking team at Squire Sanders for six years after joining from Browne Jacobson, where he was an associate for three years and helped set up the firm’s local banking practice.
Education
West Bridgford Comprehensive; University of Sheffield and Nottingham Law School (1995 LLB Law (2(1)).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team works incredibly efficiently and in a cost-effective manner whilst ensuring all deliverables are met and are of a high standard.’
‘Nat Barnes is impressive to work with and manages her team very effectively to ensure a great balance of partner support and expertise in a cost-efficient manner.’
‘What stands out for me is the ability/willingness of the Shoosmiths team to pick up the baton and help get transactions over the line in a collaborative manner. It's often finding acceptable middle ground solutions whilst still given the lender the protections within our documentation. Excellent.’
‘I think the primary thing for me is their availability to discuss matters - I need that as there are always legal issues that crop up and I need to run through thought processes to find equitable solutions - Shoosmiths are first class in that regard. There are also points in time where we need to move quickly - the team are able to step up the pace when required.’
‘They are always approachable in their manner but professional in how they conduct themselves. They provide support and crucial recommendations to challenges rather than a standard 'its a commercial decision' for us to make without any guidance/rationale.’
‘Jon Bew - Friendly, expert knowledge, highly professional in his approach. Always helpful in preliminary processes and happy to be involved at the partner level when required. Nat Barnes - very much the same as Jon.’
Key clients
- Shawbrook Bank Limited Aurelius Finance Company Limited IGF Business Credit Limited HSBC Invoice Finance (UK) Limited Hilco Capital Arbuthnot Commercial Asset Based Lending Limited ABN AMRO Asset Based Finance N.V., UK Branch Investec Bank Plc Ultimate Finance Limited SME Invoice Finance Limited Baker Estates Limited Mustand Investments Limited Global University Systems Edmond De Rothschild Investec Capital Solutions Limited SGN Group
Work highlights
Advised Investec Bank PLC on facilities provided to the Coach Travel Group, enabling it to acquire seven coach companies.