Ranking tables

Banking & Finance: Mid-Market | 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

E

Eminent Practitioners

  1. Helen Burton
    E
    Helen Burton
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 21 Years Ranked
    Managing partner of the Ashurst London office, Helen Burton draws on a wealth of experience when acting for clients such as banks, funds, private equity firms and corporates. She is a recognised expert in both leveraged and acquisition financings.
  2. Penny Angell
    E
    Penny Angell
    Hogan Lovells
    Hogan Lovells | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Eminent Practitioners | 21 Years Ranked
    Penny Angell is the firm's UK managing partner and is held in high regard for her acquisition finance and corporate loan expertise. Her practice includes advising leading banks and corporates on a range of domestic and cross-border transactions.
1

Band 1

  1. Alex Griffith
    1
    Alex Griffith
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 16 Years Ranked
    Alex Griffith is highly sought after for his expertise in the direct lending space and is considered a go-to for credit funds. He has considerable knowledge of acquisition and leveraged finance.
  2. Andrew Perkins
    1
    Andrew Perkins
    Macfarlanes LLP
    Macfarlanes LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 14 Years Ranked
    Head of the finance group at Macfarlanes, Andrew Perkins is noted for his expert lender-side representation in traditional and leveraged finance. He is a stalwart of the alternative credit space and is regularly called upon by banks and debt funds to advise on complex financings. He additionally advises borrowers and sponsors in the fund finance space.
  3. David Miles
    1
    David Miles
    Dechert LLP
    Dechert LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    David Miles has a wealth of experience advising on the full range of corporate lending and leveraged finance matters. He is adept at advising on recapitalisations, refinancings and buyouts, among other matters.
  4. Kirstie Hutchinson
    1
    Kirstie Hutchinson
    Macfarlanes LLP
    Macfarlanes LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked
    Kirstie Hutchinson advises on a broad range of leveraged acquisition finance matters. Her diverse client roster particularly centres sponsors and their portfolio companies, whom she assists with UK and cross-border financings. She has additional experience assisting direct lenders.
  5. 1
    Matthew Ayre
    Travers Smith LLP
    Travers Smith LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 13 Years Ranked
    Matthew Ayre is head of leveraged finance at Travers Smith.He is active across the finance space and counts lenders, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors among his enviable client roster.
  6. Paul Mullen
    1
    Paul Mullen
    Hogan Lovells
    Hogan Lovells | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 19 Years Ranked
    Global head of banking at the firm, Paul Mullen is particularly adept at advising on direct lending matters and leveraged finance transactions. He regularly acts for debt funds on complex unitranche financings, bridge facilities and P2P financings. He has additional experience representing borrowers.
  7. Philip Butler
    1
    Philip Butler
    Dechert LLP
    Dechert LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 1 | 20 Years Ranked
    Philip Butler is an experienced advisor to high-profile direct lenders on domestic and cross-border financings. He focuses his practice on leveraged finance and corporate lending transactions.
2

Band 2

  1. Jo Robinson
    2
    Jo Robinson
    Hogan Lovells
    Hogan Lovells | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 2 | 8 Years Ranked
    Jo Robinson is noted for her expertise in the direct lending space. She is experienced in acting for debt funds, regularly assisting with matters involving unitranche and term loan financings. She also advises borrowers on structured finance matters.
  2. Malcolm Hitching
    2
    Malcolm Hitching
    Macfarlanes LLP
    Macfarlanes LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 2 | 19 Years Ranked
    Malcolm Hitching has substantial experience advising across the space, regularly acting for sponsor, borrower and alternative capital provider clients. He is adept at handling significant cross-border acquisition financings. In addition to his focus on leveraged finance, he is active in the litigation funding space.
  3. Stuart Brinkworth
    2
    Stuart Brinkworth
    Mayer Brown International LLP
    Mayer Brown International LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 2 | 16 Years Ranked
    Stuart Brinkworth advises lenders and sponsors on domestic and cross-border matters. He is active across a range of sectors and is noted widely for his strength on unitranche and acquisition financings.
  4. Ben Davis
    Eversheds Sutherland | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. 3
    Alex Dumphy
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Alex Dumphy is well-regarded for his leveraged finance expertise. He acts for a variety of lender clients in addition to funds and corporates.
  2. Aymen Mahmoud
    3
    Aymen Mahmoud
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 2 Years Ranked
    Aymen Mahmoud is one of our go-to lawyers for any query related to leverage financings. He is extremely knowledgeable but has enough experience to focus on the most material aspects of a transaction.
  3. Faisal Ramzan
    3
    Faisal Ramzan
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Faisal Ramzan acts on behalf of alternative lenders on domestic and cross-border financings. He regularly advises clients on acquisition financings, as well as refinancing transactions, among other matters.
  4. 3
    Kirsty Barnes
    Simmons & Simmons LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Kirsty is a very experienced practitioner who knows how to manage the transaction. She is always one step ahead throughout the process which helps to make the deal run smoothly and efficiently.
  5. Mark Dwyer
    3
    Mark Dwyer
    DLA Piper LLP
    DLA Piper LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 5 Years Ranked
    Global co-chair of financial services, Mark Dwyer is particularly active for corporate borrowers whom he advises on a range of financings. He has also got recent experience acting for direct lenders. He has considerable expertise in financing UK public takeovers of listed companies.
  6. Mark Fine
    3
    Mark Fine
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
    McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Mark Fine has substantial experience advising both borrowers and lenders across the space, in addition to private equity clients. He is well-versed in take-private and acquisition financings, as well as refinancing matters.
  7. Matthew Cox
    3
    Matthew Cox
    Baker McKenzie
    Baker McKenzie | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 12 Years Ranked
    Matthew Cox advises clients on a range of acquisition and leveraged finance matters. He is particularly noted for his sponsor-side representation and capabilities on multi-jurisdictional transactions.
  8. Matthew Smith
    3
    Matthew Smith
    Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
    Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years Ranked
    Matthew Smith is regularly called upon to advise banks and alternative lenders on a wide range of leveraged finance matters. He has notable experience advising on international transactions.
  9. Nick O'Grady
    3
    Nick O'Grady
    Baker McKenzie
    Baker McKenzie | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked
    Nick O'Grady demonstrates experience across the space and has a particular focus advising lender-side clients, including direct lenders as well as large bank syndicates. He is able to advise on both domestic and cross-border transactions.
  10. Richard Kitchen
    3
    Richard Kitchen
    King & Spalding International LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 4 Years Ranked
    Richard Kitchen has significant experience advising both sponsor and lender-side clients. He is noted in particular for his strength in leveraged and acquisition financings and offers strong expertise in direct lending.
  11. Smridhi Gulati
    3
    Smridhi Gulati
    Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
    Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked
    Smridhi is always available to discuss any issues, no matter how small or seemingly trivial. She provides a welcomed blend of commerciality and technical knowledge, tailored to our specific needs.
4

Band 4

  1. Adam Caines
    4
    Adam Caines
    Macfarlanes LLP
    Macfarlanes LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Adam Caines has experience acting for alternative lenders such as credit funds as well as private equity sponsors. He regularly assists with domestic and cross-border acquisition financings.
  2. Alex Patience
    4
    Alex Patience
    CMS
    CMS | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 16 Years Ranked
    Alex Patience stands out for his longstanding experience advising on investment-grade financing transactions. His client base includes both corporate borrowers and lenders.
  3. Amin Doulai
    4
    Amin Doulai
    King & Spalding International LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Amin Doulai is particularly cherished by private lenders, whom he advises on a range of leveraged finance transactions, including take-privates.
  4. 4
    Andrew Gregson
    Travers Smith LLP
    Travers Smith LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 16 Years Ranked
    Andrew Gregson is a senior consultant who advises sponsor and borrower clients on acquisition and leveraged finance matters. His specific areas of strength include complex refinancings and debt restructurings.
  5. Andy Kolacki
    4
    Andy Kolacki
    Mayer Brown International LLP
    Mayer Brown International LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Andy was a very strong advocate for us and led us to the execution of a great deal with a number of complexities.
  6. Ashley Young
    4
    Ashley Young
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
    Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Ashley Young typically acts for borrowers and sponsors on financings, such as acquisitions and buyouts. He is also noted for his lender-side experience.
  7. Bryan Robson
    4
    Bryan Robson
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Bryan Robson is co-head of Sidley Austin's leveraged finance practice in London. He centres his practice on the representation of private equity clients in complex financings, including sponsors, portfolio companies and private debt funds. He is noted in particular for his expertise in leveraged acquisitions and refinancings.
  8. Charles Kerrigan
    4
    Charles Kerrigan
    CMS
    CMS | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 11 Years Ranked
    Charles Kerrigan is routinely called upon by a variety of clients to assist with complex financings and recapitalisation. He has particular expertise in advising clients on TMT finance and blockchain matters and is active in the venture capital space.
  9. 4
    Chris Hastings
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Squire Patton Boggs | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Chris Hastings advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies on acquisition financings and refinancings both domestically and internationally.
  10. Daniel Hendon
    4
    Daniel Hendon
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 8 Years Ranked
    Daniel Hendon has a reputation in the mid-market banking and finance arena. He regularly assists clients in the alternative capital space on leveraged finance matters.
  11. 4
    Emma Howdle-Fuller
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 14 Years Ranked
    Emma Howdle-Fuller has considerable knowledge of domestic and global transactions. She is experienced in advising both lender and borrower clients on a broad range of finance matters.
  12. Francis Booth
    4
    Francis Booth
    Hogan Lovells
    Hogan Lovells | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Francis Booth is noted for his strength across the financing space. He counts both traditional and alternative lenders on his growing client roster, typically advising on complex acquisition financings.
  13. Ian Borman
    4
    Ian Borman
    Winston & Strawn London LLP
    Winston & Strawn London LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    Ian Borman of Winston & Strawn has a practice which includes acquisition, ABL and bid financing. He is well placed to advise his diverse client base on both domestic and international matters, handling both lender and sponsor-side mandates.
  14. James Crooks
    4
    James Crooks
    Sidley Austin LLP
    Sidley Austin LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    James Crooks co-heads Sidley's leveraged finance practice in London. He typically acts for sponsors and borrowers on mid-cap financing transactions, with additional experience assisting well-known banks and direct lenders. His wide sector knowledge includes sports, insurance, energy and commodities, and manufacturing. He is also noted for his expertise in structured finance.
  15. James Dunnett
    4
    James Dunnett
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Norton Rose Fulbright | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    James Dunnett is recognised for his work for corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors and stands out for his expertise when it comes to acquisition finance.
  16. John Clark
    4
    John Clark
    Cooley LLP
    Cooley LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 9 Years Ranked
    John Clark of Cooley has a multifaceted practice which includes lender, borrower and sponsor representation. He advises clients on a range of secured and unsecured financing matters and is frequently active on international matters, especially with US elements.
  17. Julie Romer
    4
    Julie Romer
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Stephenson Harwood LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 5 Years Ranked
    Julie Romer is adept at advising clients on acquisition and leveraged finance matters. She has experience acting for sponsors and borrowers in addition to lender-side clients on domestic and cross-border mandates.
  18. Laura Ho
    4
    Laura Ho
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 3 Years Ranked
    Laura Ho has established a strong reputation in the mid-market space. She has experience in both corporate acquisition and leveraged financings and acts for a range of clients.
  19. 4
    Martin B Yells
    Taylor Wessing LLP
    Taylor Wessing LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 12 Years Ranked
    Martin Yells regularly advises corporates, sponsors and portfolio companies on corporate and leveraged finance matters, with additional expertise in real estate finance matters.
  20. Michael Black
    4
    Michael Black
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Norton Rose Fulbright | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 21 Years Ranked
    Michael Black specialises in asset-based lending matters. He regularly acts for lenders, counting a number of banks and financial institutions among his clients. He has additional expertise in real estate finance.
  21. Neha Khosla
    4
    Neha Khosla
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Norton Rose Fulbright | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked
    Neha Khosla is well known for advising oil and gas clients on financing transactions. She has an impressive track record when it comes to transactions involving emerging markets.
  22. 4
    Paula Laird
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Squire Patton Boggs | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 10 Years Ranked
    Paula is very knowledgeable and experienced. She is calm under pressure and was always available at short notice to answer questions and jump on calls.
  23. Simon Fulbrook
    4
    Simon Fulbrook
    Goodwin
    Goodwin | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Simon Fulbrook comes recommended for his expertise advising sponsor clients on acquisition financings.
  24. 4
    Simon Middleton
    Dentons
    Dentons | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 4 Years Ranked
    Simon is a fantastic lawyer who demonstrates an excellent understanding of loan documentation and the lending market.
  25. Tom Siggers
    4
    Tom Siggers
    CMS
    CMS | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked
    Tom is a great support whenever he is advising us - he is informed on the market, technically strong and always tries to find a sensible solution for all parties.
  26. Nick Swiss
    Eversheds Sutherland | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Band 4
U

Up and Coming

  1. Alon Blitz
    U
    Alon Blitz
    King & Spalding International LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    Alon Blitz has significant experience in cross-border acquisition financings, among other matters. He regularly acts for alternative lenders and sponsor clients.
  2. Christopher Akinrele
    U
    Christopher Akinrele
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Norton Rose Fulbright | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Up and Coming | 2 Years Ranked
    Christopher Akinrele has expertise in leveraged finance, specialty finance and general corporate banking transactions. He is well-versed in advising direct lenders. He has additional experience in asset-based finance.
  3. U
    Donald Lowe
    Travers Smith LLP
    Travers Smith LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    He is technically good and he is very user-friendly. He is one of these lawyers who has experience and can tell you where the market is at.
  4. Harriet West
    U
    Harriet West
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Up and Coming | 4 Years Ranked
    Harriet West is very active for direct lenders. She is particularly adept at advising on acquisition and leveraged financings. She is regularly called upon by prominent clients to assist with domestic and cross-border transactions.
  5. Neil Campbell
    U
    Neil Campbell
    DLA Piper LLP
    DLA Piper LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Up and Coming | 1 Years Ranked
    Neil Campbell has a prominent leveraged finance focused practice. He represents lenders, including both private credit and traditional banks, with notable expertise in the technology sector.

Associates to watch

  1. Nicholas Jupp
    Nicholas Jupp
    Ashurst
    Ashurst | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Associates to watch | 3 Years Ranked
    Nicholas Jupp is a senior associate at Ashurst. He draws recognition for his ability to act across the finance market, supporting borrower and sponsor-side clients as well as direct lenders in acquisition financings.
  2. Philip Anscombe
    Philip Anscombe
    Proskauer Rose LLP
    Proskauer Rose LLP | Banking & Finance: Mid-Market
    2025 | Associates to watch | 1 Years Ranked
    Phil Anscombe is an associate within Proskauer's private capital team. He advises private credit providers on areas such as leveraged finance.