Capital Markets: Debt
UK Guide 2025 : UK-wide
Band 4
Contact number
+44 20 7374 8000Chambers Review
Herbert Smith Freehills is frequently engaged by issuers and deal managers on debt and equity matters in the UK. The team has additional experience in international deals, including those in emerging markets. Specific expertise includes private placements, equity-linked transactions and EMTN programmes. Notably, the firm also has a significant track record in UK IPOs and equity deals undertaken within the context of refinancings or restructurings.
Work Highlights
- Herbert Smith Freehills advised Capital & Counties Properties on all aspects of its all share merger with Shaftesbury.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Herbert Smith Freehills is unfazed by complexity and has great pools of expertise to draw on."
"The firm has deep experience across many sectors and a comprehensive understanding of issues."
"The team at Herbert Smith Freehills has a great depth of knowledge and experience, which really comes in handy when you get into the thorny parts of transactions."
"Herbert Smith Freehills is unfazed by complexity and has great pools of expertise to draw on."
"The firm has deep experience across many sectors and a comprehensive understanding of issues."
"The team at Herbert Smith Freehills has a great depth of knowledge and experience, which really comes in handy when you get into the thorny parts of transactions."
Notable Practitioners
Amy Geddes is a frequent choice for banks and issuers on debt financing across the euro, dollar and sterling markets. She is head of the Herbert Smith Freehills DCM team and comes highly recommended for her ability to coordinate work on complex, high-value transactions.
"Amy is an incredible lawyer and coordinator."
"She is a fantastic lawyer."
Tom O'Neill is head of US securities at Herbert Smith Freehills and co-head of its equity capital markets team. He is respected for his work on dollar-denominated transactions for European banks and issuers.
"Tom knows his stuff and is very good technically."
"Tom has a pragmatic approach and a commercial focus."
Michael Jacobs is recognised for his work on IPOs. He regularly assists his clients in cross-border matters and is also a qualified practitioner in Hong Kong.
"Michael has great commercial judgement, is experienced and a problem solver."
"He is an excellent lawyer."
Mike Flockhart is recognised for his work advising financial institutions and corporate clients on a range of equity capital markets transactions, including IPOs and secondary capital raisings. He is also the joint global head of corporate at the firm.
"Mike is technically very strong."
"Mike is incredibly knowledgeable and exceptionally good external counsel."