Leveraging the firm's deeply entrenched commercial and investment bank relationships, and also able to effectively resource multi-jurisdictional deals by virtue of its huge international network of offices, Allen & Overy LLP remains a market leader for syndicated deals throughout EMEA. Although it is better known for advising on the lender side, the team also regularly handles corporate lending work for numerous large public companies, providing the firm with an excellent perspective of market terms from both sides and across the full spectrum of the capital structure. Melissa Samuel  has an excellent reputation for lenders and borrowers across a range of corporate lending, structured finance and acquisition finance. She has experience advising on 'super jumbo' deals, including her work for the lead arrangers and underwriters on a $775m two stage syndicated financing facility and a $230m bridge to equity issuance facility in support of Elementis plc’s acquisition of Mondo Minerals. David Campbell's broad-ranging banking prowess regularly includes big-ticket cross-border syndicated loan facilities, and he recently advised the arrangers to Renewi plc on an amendment and extension to its main banking facility, converting it to a €550m Green Loan Facility. Global head of corporate lending Trevor Borthwick and co-head of global banking Simon Roberts are also recommended, with the latter recently advising a  global financial institution in relation to the amendment and restatement of Rio Tinto’s $7.5bn multicurrency facilities.

The 'commercial and responsive' team at Clifford Chance LLP has the critical mass and geographical footprint to be able to handle a tremendous flow of syndicated lending transactions for major banking institutions including Citigroup and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, in the context of general corporate lending, as well as on high-profile acquisition finance matters. Nicola Wherity is recognised as a 'trusted adviser' and recently acted for lenders on separate multi-billion corporate loans for Nestle and Telefonica. Praised for his 'willingness to go the extra mile to deliver', David Robson continues to garner an impressive reputation in the market for many of the leading investment banks, as a result of his 'grasp of complex matters' which includes public-to-private M&A financings. Jim MacHale has an excellent reputation across both corporate loans and acquisition financings, and is another integral member of the team that also includes the 'superb' Michael Bates  – whose expertise includes a niche focus on infrastructure acquisition financings as well as corporate lending work.

'Diligent, accessible and commercial – from associate all the way up to senior partner', Linklaters LLP provides a 'uniformly high quality of work' to a balanced spread of banks and borrowers on deals throughout the capital structure, including as it relates to general corporate lending, investment grade acquisition financing, margin lending and refinancings. Philip Spittal heads up the global loans team and handles a range of syndicated deals relating to general corporate lending and M&A financing. He recently advised the lenders and the security agent on a secured term loan facility to Sociedad Portuaria Terminal De Contenedores De Buenaventura, for the operation of a commercial container port terminal in Buenaventura, Colombia and for the refinancing of the borrower's existing debt from the project’s construction phase. Toby Grimstone regularly acts for banks and borrowers on syndicated and secured bank financings, with notable niche expertise in acquisition financing and commodities-related finance work (he is Glencore's go-to-adviser on its most complex financings). In addition to his margin lending expertise, Oliver Edwards also handles broader financing work for banks and corporates in the context of working capital facilities, as well as it pertains to event-driven transactions. Ian Callaghan continues to garner a strong reputation among corporates, banks and alternative credit providers on public and private acquisition financings and cross-border syndicated lending. Managing associate Caroline Courtney is 'one to watch' and has developed a strong practice among lenders, corporates and sponsors in event-driven acquisitions, investment grade facilities and direct lending.

Benefiting from a 'deep and thorough understanding of the relevant bank documentation', Slaughter and May regularly advises the firm's stellar roster of blue-chip corporates across their financing requirements, including for acquisition finance, as well as general corporate and working capital purposes. Matthew Tobin is 'very experienced in loan agreements' and he employs this knowledge to good effect for corporate borrowers on investment grade debt. He recently advised AngloGold Ashanti on a new five-year multi-currency revolving credit facility with a syndicate of fourteen banks. Andrew McClean heads up the firm's financing department and has vast experience, primarily for corporate borrowers (but also for some lender clients) on syndicated loan facilities. McClean's recent work has included advice to Tata Steel on a €4.5bn facility.

Combining 'high-end market and technical expertise with a friendly and open approach and unparalleled levels of client care', Ashurst provides 'legally robust and practical advice' to a balanced mix of investment grade corporate clients and banks. Praised for his 'technical prowess and pragmatism', Nicholas Moore has an excellent perspective of the investment grade lending market (both bilateral and syndicated) as a result of his involvement in many of the most significant mandates handled by the firm on behalf of both lenders and corporates. Moore recently advised MUFG Bank on the amendment and restatement of The Go-Ahead Group plc's existing multicurrency revolving credit facility, and acted for Tritax EuroBox plc on its €200m multicurrency revolving credit facility (its debut credit facility after its incorporation and listing). As well as advising on general corporate lending mandates, the 'excellent' Tim Rennie specialises in arranging the financing of public takeovers, including his recent work for Evercore Partners, JP Morgan and Nomura in relation to Takeda Pharmaceutical Company’s £46bn recommended offer for Shire plc. Benefiting from significant lender-side expertise by virtue of several secondments at international banks, senior associate Darren Phelan has a growing reputation across investment grade corporate lending, cross-border transactions and acquisition finance.

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP regularly handles new money financing and refinancing work on behalf of the firm's extensive roster of investment grade corporates, as well as for portfolio companies of its private equity sponsor clients. In addition to event-driven work, including M&A transactions, the team is also noted for its capability in advising corporates on their treasury requirements, including on working capital requirements and the restructuring of outstanding debt.

With an impressive roster of blue-chip corporate clients, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has excellent financing credentials on behalf of investment grade corporates including EDF,  Elementis plc and British Land. Kristen Roberts leads the corporate debt and acquisition finance team in London and has significant expertise across the capital structure, including on mandates in the loan and privately placed notes markets. On the borrower front, Roberts is particularly well-versed working alongside FTSE corporate treasury teams and is at the cutting-edge in trends in the corporate debt market. On the lender front, the firm has particular niches in the energy sector – where it is a market leader in advising banks on reserve-based lending facilities – as well as with regard to multi-sourced financings in the emerging markets, involving debt provided by commercial lenders, export credit agencies and Development Finance Institutions. Senior associate Elliot Beard has a growing reputation on behalf of a number of FTSE 250 clients, which he regularly advises on their general corporate financings in the banking and US private placement markets.

Led by Nicholas Tostivin, Baker McKenzie's banking and finance team has increased bandwidth and critical mass with which to serve a balanced roster of corporates, lenders and sponsors by virtue of a number of hires in 2018, including leveraged finance expert Matthew Cox from Ropes & Gray LLP. The team is particularly accomplished at handling multi-jurisdictional mandates where it is able to tap into expertise across its broad-ranging international network. Particular areas of strength include work within the emerging markets, including Turkey and Sub-Saharan Africa where, in addition to work for commercial banks, it also benefits from a strong relationship with UK Export Finance.

The 'first-class' banking team at CMS has strong relationships with the UK clearers ensuring that it picks up a significant volume of bilateral and syndicated lending mandates in the context of event-driven financings, as well as general corporate lending for many FTSE 250 clients. Appreciated by clients for its 'breadth of industry knowledge', this manifests itself most visibly within the TMT, healthcare and infrastructure sectors where the firm has particular expertise. Afforded greater bandwidth in the UK as a result of the firm's recent merger with Olswang and Nabarro, and also able to access lawyers across the firm's international network, the team is as comfortable handling purely domestic mandates as it is multi-jurisdictional ones. Alex Patience has an excellent reputation in the syndicated lending market, including his work for a banking syndicate on the financing of WH Smith plc’s acquisition of US travel retailer In Motion.

Aided by its extensive network of international offices, the 'experienced and knowledgeable' team at Dentons is very accomplished at advising international banks on syndicated facilities in the EMEA region, including on transactions guaranteed by development banks/export credit agencies. The 'outstanding' Isaac Felberbaum has 'many years of experience in the syndicated loan market' and excels at representing lending syndicates providing liquidity to other financial institutions in the emerging markets. Felberbaum is particularly well attuned to the Turkish market and, working alongside colleagues from the firm's Istanbul office, regularly acts for banking syndicates lending to Turkish banks. He recently advised a leading global bank and a syndicate of banks on a $980m one-year syndicated loan to Akbank Türk Anonim Şirketi.

The 'responsive and well-organised' team at Norton Rose Fulbright provides a 'commercial and thoughtful service' to lenders and investment grade corporates across a broad spectrum of syndicated and bilateral lending work, particularly in relation to transactions which occur within sector areas of focus for the firm – including energy, infrastructure, media and transportation. The team regularly advises on financing deals within emerging markets and has a strong track record in handling Africa-related matters – often backed by a mix of development finance institutions and commercial lenders. The firm also benefits from access to ancillary areas of expertise, including asset-based lending and Islamic finance, ensuring that it is able to handle the more bespoke transactions in the market. Michael Ings has vast experience handling financing work within the telecoms and media sectors throughout EMEA.

Tapping into longstanding relationships with UK clearing banks, and also regularly servicing corporate clients on their financing requirements, Addleshaw Goddard has a strong reputation for handling mid-market bilateral, club and syndicated mandates, where it is able to provide a 'cost-effective and solutions-oriented service' by virtue of its ability to resource deals from London and out of its regional offices. Co-head Amanda Gray handles a diverse range of corporate banking transactions for lenders and borrowers. The 'commercially-minded' Mike Davison is also recommended and adds increased flexibility on financing deals by virtue of his asset-based lending prowess.

'Always willing to go the extra mile to get things done', Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP provides a 'responsive and proactive service' across a range of corporate lending and company-led acquisition financings to a compelling mix of banks (including Barclays and HSBC) and investment grade corporates (including Playtech Plc and Tesco). The firm is praised for its 'wide knowledgebase' which includes ancillary expertise in funds finance and asset based lending, as well as sector expertise across the healthcare, retail and real estate industries. Team head Emma Howdle-Fuller is recommended for investment grade and syndicated lending work.

Although it is best-known for its leveraged finance prowess, Latham & Watkins' strong investment banking ties with heavy hitters including JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs ensures that it also regularly picks up its fair share of syndicated loans work and investment grade M&A financings. The team is particularly well-positioned to advise on bespoke cross-border mandates which involve deep knowledge across the capital structure, including on dual bank and bond financings. The vastly experienced Stephen E Kensell's leading bank-side reputation sees him engaged in a significant flow of investment-grade M&A and IPO-related finance. He recently advised HSBC on the term loan and revolving credit facilities in connection with Cineworld Group’s $4.3bn acquisition of Regal Entertainment Group.

Allied to Macfarlanes LLP's premier mid-market leveraged finance offering for private equity sponsors, the firm also regularly handles the ongoing financing requirements of numerous listed companies. The 'superb' Kirstie Hutchinson has a strong reputation among some major investment grade corporates, including JD Wetherspoon plc, which she recently advised on a revolving credit facility arranged by a syndicate of banks. The firm's deep relationships with credit funds not only generates work in relation to their direct lending mandates, but also in terms of work for them as borrowers in securing bank-lent facilities to leverage the funds themselves.

Co-headed by the 'very experienced' Alex Dell and Dominic Griffiths, who both have an excellent pedigree for asset-based lending, Mayer Brown International LLP's banking and finance team excels at handling partner-led, bespoke mandates. Aided by a comprehensive international network which includes practitioners based in other key global financial centres including Hong Kong and New York, much of the team's work is of a multi-jurisdictional nature and often includes UK and US-governed debt products. UK, US and German-qualified partner, Bernd Bohr, impresses clients with his 'ability to personally cover the full spectrum of lending products in Europe', including as it relates to bond and loan transactions. Other niche areas of expertise include real estate finance and funds finance.

Led out of London by Martin Bishop  and aided by a strong regional offering, Pinsent Masons LLP has 'good depth' and the ability to provide a cost-effective service to UK clearing banks on syndicated lending facilities to many large listed corporates. Bishop has a particularly strong and longstanding relationship with HSBC, which he advises across a range of transaction types and sectors, and Liam Terry has a flourishing reputation in the corporate lending market.

Able to structure deals implementing UK and US-governed debt products, the 'responsive, creative and solutions-oriented' three-partner team at Ropes & Gray LLP is particularly accomplished at handling big-ticket financings for multinationals in the TMT space, including Liberty Global and Altice. The team has also developed a particular expertise in advising on financings in the regulated travel sector.

Benefiting from practitioners on the ground in London with dual-US and UK qualifications – including team head Peter Hayes – Shearman & Sterling LLP is well suited to the increasing adoption of US technologies in the UK/European loan markets. As well as its strength in the leveraged finance field, the 'knowledgeable, creative and responsive' team also regularly handles corporate lending/corporate acquisition finance work for both banks and borrowers. On the borrower front, as well as providing financing advice to US-based corporates on international mandates, the team also regularly handles work for multinational investment grade corporations including Nokia, which it recently advised on a €500m financing it entered into with the European Investment Bank for the purposes of developing its next generation 5G communications network. The 'incredibly gifted' Mei Lian is another key member of the team.

Simmons & Simmons provides a 'pragmatic and commercial service' to banks and corporates across a range of mandates, including as it relates to general corporate lending, acquisition financing and refinancing mandates. Praised for her 'calm and considered manner', Jen Yee Chan has successfully cultivated a strong funds finance practice at the firm since her arrival in 2017 which – allied to the firm's overarching asset management strength – is appreciated by both lenders and sponsors for its 'thorough levels of diligence'. The firm also maintains its strong position among the leading lenders and arrangers in the Nordic market.

Leveraging the firm's impressive corporate credentials both out the UK and US, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP handles a significant flow of investment grade borrower-side financing work for US multinationals and listed European companies. Led by Mark Darley, the team excels in financing deals implementing complex layers of debt often involving a combination of US and European finance techniques. In a deal which involved a syndicate of 16 lenders from across Asia, Europe and the US, recent highlights include Darley's representation of Sands China on its multi-currency revolving credit facility.

Well hedged by virtue of its expertise handling deals in both developed and emerging markets, Winston & Strawn LLP has solid deal flow on behalf of traditional and development financing institutions, often involving syndicated lender structuring. Able to provide UK and US law advice on financing mandates, the team has expertise across the capital structure, including on senior, subordinated, secured and unsecured debt and hybrid structures. One of the founding partners of the London office, Zoë Ashcroft,  has a particular niche advising on cross-border financings in Sub-Saharan Africa.

At Akin Gump LLP, Russian-speaking team head Robert Aulsebrook has a particular niche advising on financing work with a Russia nexus and continues to handle a significant amount of work for multinational oil and gas company PJSC Lukoil. The arrival in November 2018 of Tom O’Connor from Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP broadens the scope of the firm's offering and provides front-end private placement expertise for institutional investors,   which supplements the firm's preeminent bondholder restructuring practice.

Although it is much narrower in scope than many of its higher-ranked peer firms, Bracewell (UK) LLP has a 'very strong reputation' for energy-related financings. Team head Jason Fox focuses on the upstream oil and gas sector and has a huge market share on behalf of banks and borrowers in the reserve-based lending space.

Leading mandates out of London, and also regularly supporting on the English law aspects of deals handled out of the US, Greenberg Traurig, LLP's four-partner team excels in complex cross-border financing work for a primarily borrower-focused client base. The team has a particular focus on real estate-related work, as well as a growing prominence in the music/entertainment sector. The 'very technical' team head, Emma Menzies, handles general syndicated lending as part of her broad-ranging finance offering.

Led by Marc Isaacs on the corporate lending front and Jennifer Kafcas for derivatives, McGuireWoods London LLP's eight-strong debt finance team demonstrates 'considerable market knowledge' and provides a 'commercial service' to a primarily lender-focused client base across a range of work which includes cross-border syndicated lending and public takeover financings. As well as regularly acting on its own, the team also works alongside lawyers from its US offices, as demonstrated by its recent work for PNC Bank where it advised on the English law aspects of a revolving loan facility provided to Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Morrison & Foerster LLP continues to grow its finance offering in London, with the vastly experienced Christopher Kandel as the latest to join the team in February 2019 from Latham & Watkins. Although Kandel's focus is on leveraged finance, he also adds further depth to the team's ability across public M&A, as well as general corporate lending where he is able to provide expertise across the capital structure and across both UK and US law-governed products.

Reed Smith LLP has significant general corporate lending expertise, as well as more specialised knowledge across funds finance and real estate finance. The firm is particularly accomplished at handling cross-border transactions within the energy sector, which it is able to effectively resource by virtue of its wide-ranging international network.

Although Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP's core focus is handling leveraged finance matters for the the firm's blue-chip roster of private equity sponsors, the banking team's expertise across the gamut of senior and subordinated debt (governed by both English and US law) ensures that it is also picks up a not insignificant flow of more general borrower and lender-side mandates which includes cross-border syndicated corporate borrowing, recapitalisations, property finance, and other credit transactions. Recent highlights include advising Barclays Bank on the bridge financing for Boston Scientific Corporation to facilitate its announced acquisition of BTG plc.

While it is best known for its mid-market leveraged finance expertise for private equity sponsors, Travers Smith LLP also handles a significant amount of corporate lending and corporate acquisition finance matters. The team has also successfully secured an increased volume of lender work, both in relation to core acquisition finance and corporate lending work, as well as for funds finance and speciality finance – where it is acknowledged for its 'excellent knowledge of the market'. Danny Peel has an excellent reputation among lenders in the funds finance space and recently advised a syndicate of banks on a subscription facility made available to a fund.

Headed by Richard Leeming, the Bristol-based team at Burges Salmon LLP benefits from 'extensive experience' for clearing banks (including Lloyds and RBS) as well as borrowers (National Express Group plc) across a wide array of primarily mid-market finance mandates. As well as a significant flow of general corporate lending instructions, the team also has niche expertise advising on financings across the real estate and energy/infrastructure sectors.

Strengthened in February 2019 by the arrival of leveraged finance expert Neil Caddy from Milbank, and funds finance practitioner Kathryn Cecil from Linklaters LLP, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP's 'knowledgeable and responsive' three-partner team now has the critical mass and scope of expertise to be able to provide a compelling proposition to both lenders and borrowers in the market. Praised for its ability to add value because 'the lawyers understand US-law governed financings, and are familiar with how to apply those structures to UK deals', the team is also well regarded for its real estate finance prowess.

Led by James Linforth, Stephenson Harwood's four-partner team provides a 'responsive and client-oriented service' to borrowers and lenders across a diverse array of work, ranging from public and private acquisition finance through to funds finance and corporate lending matters. The team regularly handles multi-jurisdictional matters, where it is aided by an international network that includes a particularly strong offering in Asia. The London team also has a strong reputation for emerging market financing matters, particularly in relation to deals with a nexus to Francophone African countries.