Banking & Finance | Europe

The firm has impressive Europe-wide coverage, with reputable teams in the UK, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands and across the CEE region. It frequently acts for major investment banks, sponsors and corporate clients on major leveraged buyout transactions, project finance mandates and complicated corporate loans. The firm has an outstanding reputation for cross-border transactions and offers impressive experience in acquisition finance, syndicated lending and regulatory matters regarding new directives. It also provides leading real estate finance expertise. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Market-leading magic circle firm Clifford Chance boasts an exceptional top-tier offering in core European jurisdictions, including France, Germany and the UK. The law firm has broad and comprehensive finance capabilities, with exceptional strength in Europe-wide acquisition finance, real estate finance and corporate lending. It acts for a range of leading financial institutions, corporate borrowers and international private equity sponsors, with further activity in the infrastructure arena.

Linklaters is a full-service firm offering broad European coverage, with particularly strong teams in London, Italy and Spain. The firm is also increasingly prominent in the Benelux region. It acts for an impressive number of leading lenders and international bank syndicates on highly complex big-ticket cross-border acquisition finance mandates. The law firm also regularly represents sponsors in private equity transactions and serves an enviable client base of blue-chip corporate borrowers. Linklaters advises on complex restructuring and refinancing matters, as well as assisting with regulatory matters. Clients further benefit from the firm's strong fund financing and real estate finance practices.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has notable strength in the UK, Germany, France and Spain. It also offers CEE-wide coverage through the firm's Austrian office. The law firm acts for an enviable list of corporate clients and is a popular adviser for borrowers on high-value transactions. It also offers expertise in asset finance, real estate finance and regulatory matters. Freshfields represents leading financial services providers, investment management funds and private equity sponsors in matters such as corporate loans and acquisition finance. It has further expertise in sustainability-linked transactions.

Latham & Watkins boasts extensive coverage of the continent with standout offerings across all major European financial centres. The law firm regularly acts on high-end syndicated leverage buyout transactions for leading European and international investment banks and pre-eminent private equity houses and debt funds. It has strong New York and English law credentials, coupled with exceptional expertise in high-yield lending in European markets. Latham & Watkins also advises on asset-based lending and corporate borrowing.

White & Case offers a highly reputed pan-European banking practice boasting considerable presence across the CEE region, in addition to flourishing offices in France, the UK, Italy and Spain. It has a further strong offering in the Nordic states, acting for a number of key regional players. The law firm utilises its impressive international reach to advise on cross-border acquisition finance, complex corporate loans and major debt refinancing projects. Clients also benefit from the firm's expertise in high-yield debt. It is experienced acting for clients in the energy, telecommunications and technology sectors. White & Case regularly represents multinational banks, corporations and private equity funds, assisting both individual companies and consortiums.

CMS garners recognition for its substantial footprint in the CEE region, with notable strength in Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria combining with established teams in London and Germany. The law firm advises lenders, including banking syndicates, on cross-border leveraged finance, real estate finance, and trade and commodities financing. Clientele also includes private equity companies and corporate clients in a range of sectors.

DLA Piper has expansive European coverage, with well-reputed practices in the Netherlands, Spain, Belgium and the UK. Clients also benefit from a strong network across the CEE region and branches in the Nordics. The lawyers act for a range of international and regional investment banks, credit funds and corporate and private equity clients on corporate loan facilities, acquisition finance and refinancing matters. The firm offers additional experience in cross-border real estate and project finance matters. DLA Piper often handles financing matters in the technology and energy sectors.

Baker McKenzie has extensive regional coverage in the CEE, CIS and Benelux regions, in addition to financial centres in Western Europe such as London and Madrid. The law firm frequently handles cross-border deals involving syndicated lending and restructuring. It is also active on real estate and project financing and refinancing matters. The Baker McKenzie banking team acts for a range of clients on both the borrower and lender sides, often instructed by major global and regional financial institutions and export credit agencies. Key sectors include energy and consumer goods.

Dentons boasts extensive European coverage with a particularly strong offering in CEE. The law firm advises a broad range of clients, including prominent banks and sponsors, on cross-border syndicated finance deals. It is also well known for acting on real estate finance transactions and fund finance matters, as well as PPP and project finance.

Hogan Lovells is well regarded in the leveraged and acquisition finance sphere, representing a range of international banks and corporate borrowers. It also offers expertise in real estate, trade and asset finance matters, often in a cross-border context. The law firm handles non-bank and alternative lending, acting for clients including debt funds and development finance institutions. Hogan Lovells is increasingly active in sustainabilty-linked loans. It has particular capabilities in the UK, France and Spain, with further reputable practices in the Netherlands and Germany.

Herbert Smith Freehills is a well-regarded European practice with notable strength in cross-border leveraged finance and project finance. It is also active in export finance matters. The firm is often appointed to bank panels, and also acts for private equity houses and energy sector clients. It is particularly strong in the UK, with additional strength in France and Spain.

Norton Rose Fulbright has extensive experience in leveraged finance, real estate finance and regulatory compliance, acting for both lenders and borrowers. The law firm also sits on a number of panels and assists with Shari'a compliant structures. It often acts for clients in sectors including shipping, aviation and energy. The law firm has key offices in Poland and the UK.