Banking & Finance: Sponsors
Europe Guide 2024 : UK
Band 1
Contact number
(020) 7710 1000Chambers Review
Latham & Watkins is a highly sophisticated banking practice that is considered a first port of call by leading institutional lenders and sponsors for multi-jurisdictional transactions requiring the implementation of cutting-edge financial products. The team continues to represent debt funds on deals in the European leveraged finance market and is well equipped to advise on margin loan financings, bespoke finance solutions such as PIK loans, term loan B facilities and hybrid investments. The team also has notable expertise handling public-to-private deals.
Work Highlights
- Latham & Watkins advised Goldman Sachs on the financing of Temasek's acquisition of Element Materials Technology, consisting of term loans, PIK notes and a revolving credit facility, with an aggregate financing value of USD2.225 billion.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"The Latham & Watkins team has such deep experience and broad bench strength that there is nothing that fazes them."
"The team's legal advice is grounded in an excellent understanding of the client's commercial positioning."
"Not only was the team technically adept, but they were also creative thinkers and negotiators."
"The team is highly responsive as well as patient and upbeat, even during stressful points in the transaction process."
"The Latham & Watkins team has such deep experience and broad bench strength that there is nothing that fazes them."
"The team's legal advice is grounded in an excellent understanding of the client's commercial positioning."
"Not only was the team technically adept, but they were also creative thinkers and negotiators."
"The team is highly responsive as well as patient and upbeat, even during stressful points in the transaction process."
Notable Practitioners
Stephen Kensell is the managing partner of the firm’s London office. He remains a go-to for major banks and financial institutions on complex financings.
"I love working with Stephen at Latham & Watkins, who is an excellent lawyer. We really trust his advice; whenever we have him on a deal we feel very confident we are getting appropriate levels of protection. We are very happy to recommend him and have him on our deals."
"Stephen Kensell is the best leveraged finance guy in the market and the person I call for the most complicated deals. He gets the interesting, complicated or novel matters because he has years of experience; he can read any and all situations to give excellent legal and commercial advice."
"It is always a joy when Stephen is on a transaction for you because you just know that you will get top-quality service."
Dominic Newcomb is regarded as a premier choice for prominent sponsor clients. His practice regularly involves acting on a number of high-value domestic and international debt financings.
Fergus Wheeler of Akin Gump has substantial expertise in direct lending matters. He acts across the capital structure, counting a number of private credit funds and alternative capital providers among his client base.
"Fergus is very well regarded in the private credit world."
Ross Pooley regularly advises on leveraged and acquisition finance with expertise in cross-border matters. He is well versed in advising banks on high-value bilateral loans, with additional experience acting for private lenders.
"We rate Ross highly. He stands out in his level of lender-side service."
Daniel Maze is particularly adept at acting for direct lenders on leveraged finance transactions and emerging market financings. He is experienced in advising on large-cap mandates involving a range of sectors, including TMT and technology.
"Dan Maze is pragmatic, calm under pressure, and provides really thoughtful advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Latham & Watkins LLP
UK