Ranking tables

Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket | UK

London (Firms)

Chambers' Banking & Finance rankings highlight the top law firms and lawyers advising on the most complex and market-leading financing transactions in London. This table recognises both UK-based and international firms that assist clients in areas such as leveraged finance, corporate finance, syndicated loans, private credit, and Islamic finance. The ranked firms represent a diverse range of clients, including corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and both traditional and alternative lenders. These rankings provide a valuable resource for identifying firms that excel in sophisticated, high-value financial deals.

Rankings overview for Lawyers

All Lawyers profiles

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Robert Lee
    S
    Robert Lee
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Senior Statespeople | 23 Years Ranked
    Robert Lee is the global practice area leader for finance at the firm. His broad finance practice spans cross-border M&A, corporate lending and fund finance matters, among others.
E

Eminent Practitioners

  1. Denise Gibson
    E
    Denise Gibson
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 8 Years Ranked
    Denise Gibson is A&O Sheaman's managing partner. She has a respected practice advising on a range of financings, regularly assisting with particularly complex deal structures. She is especially well-versed in handling lender-side mandates, with ample experience advising traditional as well as direct lenders on high-value international transactions.
  2. Michael Bates
    E
    Michael Bates
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 23 Years Ranked
    UK regional managing partner Michael Bates is recognised as one of the foremost experts in infrastructure financing matters. He also comes highly recommended for his expertise when acting for corporate borrowers and bank lenders.
  3. Stephen Kensell
    E
    Stephen Kensell
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 23 Years Ranked
    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.
  4. Stephen Lucas
    E
    Stephen Lucas
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 21 Years Ranked
    Stephen Lucas acts as a member of Kirkland's executive committee. He maintains an excellent reputation for his expert representation of sponsors in structured and leveraged finance matters. He is regarded as a go-to for major private equity houses to advise on complex matters.
1

Band 1

  1. Dominic Newcomb
    1
    Dominic Newcomb
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    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.
  2. 1
    Ian Barratt
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 1 | 12 Years Ranked
    Ian Barratt continues to be regarded as one of the premier choices for sponsor-side representation. He is frequently instructed by leading private equity clients to advise on leveraged acquisition finance matters and is well versed in cross-border transactions.
  3. Jayanthi Sadanandan
    1
    Jayanthi Sadanandan
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    Jayanthi Sadanandan is a highly regarded practitioner with a broad practice, representing sponsor, borrower and lender clients. Her work spans leveraged and investment-grade financings, in both the UK and international markets.
  4. Neel Sachdev
    1
    Neel Sachdev
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 1 | 18 Years Ranked
    Neel Sachdev remains a leading authority in the finance market, noted for his stellar representation of sponsor-side clients. He is regularly called upon to advise on complex, multi-jurisdictional debt finance matters, in particular acquisition financings and take-privates. He also acts as co-head of Paul Weiss' London office and co-leads its global finance and capital markets group.
  5. Suhrud Mehta
    1
    Suhrud Mehta
    Milbank LLP
    Milbank LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 1 | 17 Years Ranked
    Co-head of the firm's global leveraged finance practice Suhrud Mehta is regularly instructed on complex cross-border matters. He is a practitioner of choice for leading financial institutions on big-ticket transactions.
2

Band 2

  1. Alex Mitchell
    2
    Alex Mitchell
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 16 Years Ranked
    Alex Mitchell is global co-head of Freshfields' leveraged finance group and regularly acts for investment fund and private equity clients. He is well positioned to act on complex multi-jurisdictional financings while also handling mid-sized domestic transactions for portfolio companies.
  2. Christopher Shield
    2
    Christopher Shield
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years Ranked
    Christopher Shield is held in high regard for his leveraged finance expertise and regularly acts for an impressive list of private equity clients on large-cap mandates such as public-to-privates and acquisition financings.
  3. Jonathan Brownson
    2
    Jonathan Brownson
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Jonathan Brownson is held in high regard for his expertise in leveraged finance. He has a wealth of experience, with a particular focus acting for lenders on both domestic and international mandates.
  4. Mohamed Nurmohamed
    2
    Mohamed Nurmohamed
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 10 Years Ranked
    Co-chair of the firm's global finance practice Mohamed Nurmohamed is highlighted for his adept handling of lender-side mandates. He is frequently instructed by investment banks and private creditors to assist with complex cross-border financings.
  5. 2
    Nick Syson
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 21 Years Ranked
    Nick Syson is renowned in the market for his wealth of experience assisting banks with large-cap financings. He is adroit at advising on leveraged finance and debt restructuring matters.
  6. Robin Harvey
    2
    Robin Harvey
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 18 Years Ranked
    Co-head of A&O Shearman's global private equity practice, Robin Harvey comes recommended for his strengths advising across the finance space. He is particularly adept at acting for prominent sponsors on private equity financing matters and also assists their portfolio companies.
  7. Sam Hamilton
    2
    Sam Hamilton
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 11 Years Ranked
    Sam Hamilton is noted for his expertise in acting for sponsors on leveraged finance matters. He also advises corporate borrowers on refinancings and other credit facilities.
  8. Tom Richards
    2
    Tom Richards
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 2 | 12 Years Ranked
    Tom Richards is noted for his expert representation of private equity sponsors, which he advises on the gamut of leveraged finance matters. He is regularly sought after to assist clients on complex multi-jurisdictional transactions.
3

Band 3

  1. Chris McLaughlin
    3
    Chris McLaughlin
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Chris McLaughlin is regularly instructed by sponsors and financial institutions on a range of leveraged and corporate acquisition financings. He is additionally noted for his expert representation of private debt funds.
  2. Christopher Kandel
    3
    Christopher Kandel
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years Ranked
    His knowledge and technical skills makes even the most complex of transactions simple to navigate. I really enjoy working with him and he brings a real sense of assurance on our transactions.
  3. David J Campbell
    3
    David J Campbell
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years Ranked
    David Campbell can handle both leveraged and acquisition finance, with particular expertise in investment-grade matters. He advises well-known banks and syndicates as well as corporate borrowers and he has particular experience in Nordic region transactions.
  4. Edward Fife
    3
    Edward Fife
    Slaughter and May
    Slaughter and May | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Edward Fife regularly advises borrower clients on a broad array of matters including high-value acquisition financing, the refinancing of corporate loans and infrastructure finance mandates. He also offers expertise in lender-side representation.
  5. Emma Folds
    3
    Emma Folds
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 16 Years Ranked
    Emma Folds has a respected corporate lending and debt restructuring practice. She is highlighted for her representation of banks and alternative capital providers. She handles varying deal sizes and financing structures.
  6. Gareth Eagles
    3
    Gareth Eagles
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Global head of private credit and direct lending at the firm, Gareth Eagles is an expert in this area. He is well-placed to advise on big-ticket acquisition financings.
  7. Jeremy Duffy
    3
    Jeremy Duffy
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 9 Years Ranked
    Jeremy Duffy is active across the finance space, noted in particular for his expertise in leveraged buyouts. He is regularly instructed by domestic and international lender-side clients.
  8. Jim MacHale
    3
    Jim MacHale
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 17 Years Ranked
    Jim MacHale is well regarded for his expert handling of leveraged finance and corporate loan matters. His practice includes both domestic and cross-border mandates. He is particularly active on the lender side, frequently advising mandated lead arrangers. He has additional experience in private credit transactions.
  9. Korey Fevzi
    3
    Korey Fevzi
    Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Korey Fevzi is head of the EMEA banking and credit practice at Cravath. He draws praise for his capabilities in leveraged and acquisition financings. His clients include private credit funds and financial institutions, whom he advises on cross-border and domestic mandates.
  10. Luke McDougall
    3
    Luke McDougall
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Luke McDougall of Davis Polk & Wardwell is routinely called upon by prominent lender-side clients for assistance with domestic and cross-border acquisition finance matters. His client roster includes both traditional bank and specialty lenders.
  11. Nicholas Benham
    3
    Nicholas Benham
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
    Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 13 Years Ranked
    Nicholas Benham leads Davis Polk's finance practice and is adept at advising on leveraged and investment-grade acquisition financings. He is able to act for clients across the space, from lenders to corporate borrowers and sponsors.
  12. 3
    Oliver Sceales
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    He has the ability to deliver a seamless process from start to finish, but crucially he's also extremely commercial and really thoughtful about the best execution of a transaction.
  13. Philip Bowden
    3
    Philip Bowden
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 8 Years Ranked
    Philip Bowden is regularly called upon to advise on domestic and cross-border matters. He is adept at handling both leveraged and investment-grade acquisition financings as well as structured finance matters.
  14. Ross Anderson
    3
    Ross Anderson
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Ross Anderson is recommended for his expert representation of lenders, including mixed groups of banks and funds. He centres his banking practice on leveraged finance matters.
  15. Simon C Roberts
    3
    Simon C Roberts
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 23 Years Ranked
    Simon Roberts has expertise within the corporate lending space. He regularly advises on domestic and international financing transactions, and is also highly capable in the field of real estate financing.
  16. Taner Hassan
    3
    Taner Hassan
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
    Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Taner Hassan is noted for his expertise in acting for sponsors, regularly advising private equity clients on leveraged finance matters. He has experience handling cross-border mandates involving the Nordics and the USA, among other jurisdictions.
4

Band 4

  1. Clive Wells
    4
    Clive Wells
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4 | 18 Years Ranked
    Clive Wells has considerable experience acting for large corporates on investment-grade transactions. His practice involves advising on all manner of financings, including acquisition and structured finance. He has additional experience advising sponsors and lenders.
  2. David Robson
    4
    David Robson
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    David Robson is noted for his experience advising lenders across the financing space. He is particularly adept at handling leveraged and M&A financings.
  3. Neil Caddy
    4
    Neil Caddy
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
    Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years Ranked
    Neil Caddy is particularly known for his experience in the direct lending space, but he also works with sponsors and international corporates. He regularly acts on leveraged and public takeover financings as well as corporate loan refinancings.
  4. Sarbajeet Nag
    4
    Sarbajeet Nag
    Milbank LLP
    Milbank LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Sarbajeet Nag is highlighted for his expertise in acquisition finance and regularly advises leading financial institutions on high-value transactions.
  5. 4
    Toby S G Grimstone
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    Co-head of corporate and structured lending, Toby Grimstone is adept at advising on syndicated and secured bank financings. He is regularly instructed by bank and borrower clients and specialises in acquisition and general corporate financing matters.
  6. Presley L Warner
    Sullivan & Cromwell LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Annette Kurdian
    5
    Annette Kurdian
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked
    Annette Kurdian acts for domestic and international banks as well as direct lenders, whom she regularly advises on high-value cross-border leveraged finance transactions.
  2. Christopher Davis
    5
    Christopher Davis
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Christopher Davis is a capable advisor to both corporate and private equity clients on cross-border financings. He is noted for his expertise in leveraged and acquisition finance.
  3. Colin Harley
    5
    Colin Harley
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 7 Years Ranked
    Head of the firm's banking practice in the EMEA region, Colin Harley is a go-to in the leveraged finance space. He typically represents sponsor-side clients in complex domestic and cross-border transactions.
  4. Edward Aldred
    5
    Edward Aldred
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 9 Years Ranked
    Edward Aldred is respected for his expertise in international finance matters. Particularly active for sponsors, his areas of knowledge include acquisition finance,bank/bond structures and capex facilities.
  5. Fergus Wheeler
    5
    Fergus Wheeler
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 10 Years Ranked
    Fergus Wheeler 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.
  6. Greg Brown
    5
    Greg Brown
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 13 Years Ranked
    Gregory Brown is adept at advising financial institutions and other lenders on debt financings, as well as borrower clients. He has experience handling transactions in a number of other areas, including emerging markets and fund finance.
  7. Kirsteen Nicol
    5
    Kirsteen Nicol
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Kirsteen Nicol is a go-to practitioner in the London finance market and is noted in particular for her strength in large-cap cross-border financings. Her clients include a number of leading sponsors.
  8. Martin D Hutchings
    5
    Martin D Hutchings
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 16 Years Ranked
    Martin Hutchings is noted for his adept representation of both lender and borrower-side clients. He advises on everything from cross-border financings to corporate treasury matters.
  9. Matthew Tobin
    5
    Matthew Tobin
    Slaughter and May
    Slaughter and May | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked
    Matthew Tobin has particular experience advising on investment-grade lending and capital markets transactions. He is a trusted advisor to large corporates, whom he advises on deals including acquisition bridge facilities, corporate loan refinancings and reorganisations as well as bond issuances.
  10. Nicholas J S Clark
    5
    Nicholas J S Clark
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 11 Years Ranked
    Co-head of the debt finance at the A&O Shearman, Nicholas Clark has a respected practice, recently most focused on lender clients. He regularly assists bank syndicates with leveraged finance mandates.
  11. Pete Coulton
    5
    Pete Coulton
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 15 Years Ranked
    Pete Coulton is noted for his representation of private equity sponsors on big-ticket financings. He has experience of leveraged finance matters and is also adept at advising on corporate borrowers on investment-grade transactions.
  12. Peter Dahlen
    5
    Peter Dahlen
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Clifford Chance LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 2 Years Ranked
    Peter Dahlen is global co-head of leveraged finance at Clifford Chance. He has a practice that sees him assist both borrowers and lenders on complex financing arrangements. He has a particular focus on the Nordic region.
  13. Peter Hayes
    5
    Peter Hayes
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 12 Years Ranked
    Peter Hayes is experienced in acting for sponsors, borrowers and lenders on complex leveraged and acquisition finance matters. He is recognised for his expert handling of cross-border financings.
  14. Philip Stopford
    5
    Philip Stopford
    Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Philip's competence, patience and ability to explain complex matters in a simple way whilst ensuring all of the nuances are also considered have been instrumental for our success.
  15. Reena Gogna
    5
    Reena Gogna
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 4 Years Ranked
    Reena Gogna has a wealth of knowledge that spans from leveraged financings to debt restructurings. Her sophisticated client roster includes both private credit providers and traditional bank lenders.
  16. Ross Pooley
    5
    Ross Pooley
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 5 | 13 Years Ranked
    Ross Pooley regularly advises on leveraged and acquisition finance with expertise in cross-border matters. He is well-versed advising banks on high-value bilateral loans, with additional experience acting for private lenders.
6

Band 6

  1. Alan J Davies
    6
    Alan J Davies
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
    Debevoise & Plimpton LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 6 Years Ranked
    Alan Davies acts for domestic and international clients on a range of transactions. His finance practice spans structured, acquisition and asset finance matters, in addition to fund financing.
  2. Aled Batey
    6
    Aled Batey
    Freshfields
    Freshfields | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Aled Batey has a growing reputation for his representation of sponsor-side clients as well as corporate borrowers. He typically acts for his clients in acquisition financings, including take-privates, and has experience in bridge to bond facilities.
  3. Alexander Robb
    6
    Alexander Robb
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 4 Years Ranked
    He's an excellent technical lawyer who provides sound, efficient and practical advice. He's always available to answer time sensitive queries in the time frame needed.
  4. Alexandra Grant
    6
    Alexandra Grant
    Milbank LLP
    Milbank LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 7 Years Ranked
    Alexandra Grant is noted for her work on cross-border leveraged finance matters. She regularly acts on behalf of international investment and merchant banks, with additional experience acting for borrowers.
  5. Caroline Phillips
    6
    Caroline Phillips
    Slaughter and May
    Slaughter and May | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    Caroline Phillips advises borrower-side clients on financing transactions across domestic and international markets. She is able to handle a variety of deal types for well-known corporates and financial services companies, including revolving credit facilities and Tier 3 facilities, as well as pension scheme facilities.
  6. 6
    Daniel Borg
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Daniel Borg is a debt finance expert who advises leading private equity sponsors on financing transactions.
  7. Daniel Maze
    6
    Daniel Maze
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 9 Years Ranked
    Daniel Maze is particularly adept at acting for direct lenders on leveraged finance transactions and emerging markets financings. He is experienced in advising on large-cap mandates involving a range of sectors, including TMT and technology.
  8. Darren Hanwell
    6
    Darren Hanwell
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Darren Hanwell advises on leveraged financings in the big-ticket market and typically acts on behalf of lenders.
  9. David Irvine
    6
    David Irvine
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
    Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    David Irvine is the head of Gibson Dunn's European leveraged and acquisition finance group. He works with both sponsors and private credit lenders on leveraged finance transactions.
  10. Jane Glancy
    6
    Jane Glancy
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    Up-and-comer Jane Glancy acts for both borrower and lender-side clients on a wide range of financings, including high-value acquisition financings and the refinancing of corporate loans.
  11. Jim Ho
    6
    Jim Ho
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
    Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    He is a great all-rounder: super-smart, super-commercial, and super-personable. He is terrific to have on a deal. He is incredibly diligent and always comes up with thoughtful advice.
  12. Joydeep Choudhuri
    6
    Joydeep Choudhuri
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Joydeep Choudhuri is noted for his leveraged finance expertise, which spans both domestic and European markets. He has particular experience in matters in the direct lending space.
  13. Karan Chopra
    6
    Karan Chopra
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP
    Paul Hastings (Europe) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    Karan Chopra acts for lender-side clients on an array of UK and cross-border financings. He is particularly noted for his expertise on the private credit side.
  14. Martin Forbes
    6
    Martin Forbes
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Martin Forbes advises both corporate borrowers and sponsor-side clients on a wide range of financings. He is particularly adept at handling cross-border transactions and has a keen understanding of US-leveraged products.
  15. Matt Moore
    6
    Matt Moore
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 5 Years Ranked
    Matt Moore has a growing reputation for his work on acquisition and leveraged finance mandates. His client base includes a variety of lenders from banks to alternative capital providers.
  16. Neil Sinha
    6
    Neil Sinha
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 2 Years Ranked
    Neil Sinha is private equity sector lead at A&O Shearman. He advises borrower and sponsor clients on a range of financing transactions, such as refinancings and add-ons to existing facilities as well as new acquisition financings.
  17. 6
    Oliver Edwards
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 9 Years Ranked
    Oliver Edwards is co-head of corporate and structured lending and specialises in margin lending matters. He is a sought after by banks to advise on cross-border transactions, including leveraged and investment-grade financings as well as secured facilities.
  18. Paul Stewart
    6
    Paul Stewart
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP
    Weil, Gotshal & Manges (London) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 1 Years Ranked
    Paul Stewart has a lender focused practice as part of which he works with both traditional lenders and credit funds.
  19. Robert Byk
    6
    Robert Byk
    Slaughter and May
    Slaughter and May | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 15 Years Ranked
    Robert Byk is adept at advising corporate borrowers on cross-border financings, with particular experience in the manufacturing, oil and gas and life sciences sectors. He has a broad practice which spans structured acquisitions and bid financings, in addition to capital markets expertise.
  20. Sebastian FitzGerald
    6
    Sebastian FitzGerald
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
    Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 1 Years Ranked
    Seb FitzGerald is a recognisded leverage finance lawyer who has a client list of well-known private equity sponsors.
  21. Shahpur Kabraji
    6
    Shahpur Kabraji
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP
    Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 1 Years Ranked
    Shahpur Kabraji represents leading private equity sponsors on high-value transactions including acquisition financings and leveraged financings.
  22. Shameer Shah
    6
    Shameer Shah
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 3 Years Ranked
    Shameer is an excellent lender-side lawyer. He understands the commercial dynamics of transactions and deservedly has the trust of his credit fund clients.
  23. 6
    Vanessa Xu
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 1 Years Ranked
    Vanessa Xu has a leveraged finance focused practice that sees her advising private equity sponsors on their acquisitions.
  24. 6
    Will Nevin
    Herbert Smith Freehills
    Herbert Smith Freehills | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Band 6 | 5 Years Ranked
    William Nevin regularly advises on multi-jurisdictional acquisition finance matters. He acts for an impressive list of corporates and bank clients, typically on large-cap syndicated financings.
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Up and Coming

  1. Benoit Lavigne
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    Benoit Lavigne
    Ropes & Gray LLP
    Ropes & Gray LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 3 Years Ranked
    Benoit Lavigne is noted for his expert representation of lender-side clients. He is experienced in advising on transactions spanning domestic, European and US markets.
  2. Emma Foster
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    Emma Foster
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked
    Emma Foster typically advises private credit funds on big-ticket financings.
  3. Evgeny Zborovsky
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    Evgeny Zborovsky
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP
    Kirkland & Ellis International LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    We trust him to handle our matters with special care and consistently deliver great terms and a smooth process. His passion for the work really shines through, making it a pleasure to work with him.
  4. Fergus O'Domhnaill
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    Fergus O'Domhnaill
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    Fergus O'Domhnaill is especially adept at advising corporate borrowers and sponsors and regularly handles cross-border financings.
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    Pathik Gandhi
    Linklaters
    Linklaters | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    Pathik Gandhi is well known for her lender-side leveraged finance focused practice. He works with an array of leading banks.
  6. Prue Criddle
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    Prue Criddle
    Latham & Watkins
    Latham & Watkins | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked
    Prue Criddle is a strong up-and-comer in the London market noted for her leveraged finance expertise.
  7. Richard Lloyd
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    Richard Lloyd
    White & Case LLP
    White & Case LLP | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    He knows his way around all debt products, understands the sponsor market and is switched on to the latest technical terms. He is a delight to work with and he has a laser sharp legal mind.

Associates to watch

  1. Dominique Crowley
    Dominique Crowley
    A&O Shearman
    A&O Shearman | Banking & Finance: Big-Ticket
    2025 | Associates to watch | 3 Years Ranked
    Dominique Crowley is a promising senior associate. She has experience assisting lenders as well as borrowers with a range of financings, including fund finance and ESG-linked structures.