Clifford Chance LLP - Who's Who Legal 70

What is the Who's Who Legal 70?

Clifford Chance LLP in Who's Who Legal

	Project Finance
	25

	Private funds
	3

	Project Finance
	25

	Corporate Tax
	11

	Environment
	4

	Insolvency & Restructuring
	5

	Internet & e-Commerce
	2

	Public Procurement
	4

	Real Estate
	8

	Oil & Gas
	1

	Corporate Governance
	1

	Trademarks
	1

	Capital Markets
	16

	Construction
	3

	Commercial Litigation
	12

	Capital Markets
	16

	Mediation
	2

	Regulatory Communications
	2

	Commercial Litigation
	12

	Management Labour & Employment
	1

	Arbitration
	3

	Patents
	2

	Insurance & Reinsurance
	6

	Banking
	18

	Competition
	16

	Mergers & Acquisitions
	5

	Aviation
	12

	Business Crime Defence
	1

	Life Sciences
	3

Clifford Chance is exceptionally well represented in our research this year, fielding 173 world-class lawyers across 25 practice areas. The firm stands out in our project finance, capital markets, competition, litigation, banking and aviation chapters.

The firm has a team of “highly experienced and capable” capital markets lawyers, 22 of which are included in that chapter. In London Jeremy Connick is co-head of the firm’s Africa focus group and co-head of the firm’s renewable energy group. He “goes the extra mile”, according to our sources. Russell Wells specialises in company and commercial financing, with a particular emphasis on the energy, oil and gas and infrastructure industries. In DC the joint head of the Americas energy and projects group Christopher McIsaac “makes the DC office excellent” and has recently facilitated a lot of infrastructure deals in Panama. David Evans also stands out.

In Paris Anthony Giustini, Nikolaï Eatwell and Nicholas Wong form an “impressive” team. Amsterdam-based Jaap Koster is highly rated, as is Madrid practitioner Carlos Hernandez-Canut. Mete Yegin in Istanbul is noted by sources as “the go-to guy”. The firm’s Dubai office provides three “well-regarded” practitioners for our list. Recommended for his “positive attitude and proactive approach”, Peter Avery’s work includes projects in Asia, Africa, South America and the Middle East. He also appears in the banking chapter.

In Asia the firm demonstrates its “stellar” international reputation and commitment to growth in project finance. The “legendary” Huw Jenkins in Hong Kong has over 20 years experience in the Asian infrastructure market. He also features in the banking chapter. Managing partner of the Shanghai and Beijing offices Stephen Harder received praise from contributors. The team in Singapore comes “recommended” for their results-based approach to project finance: Ting Ting Tan and Andrew Brereton stand out.

Clifford Chance is a leading participant in the Euromarkets and Asia. In London Kevin Ingram is a “first-class debt securitisation lawyer”, while Peter Voisey is equally well respected. Consultant Chris Oakley is “hugely knowledgeable”, while David Dunnigan is a “big name” in the market and Habib Motani is strongly recommended in derivatives and securities. In the Frankfurt office, banking and capital markets “experts” Michael Weller, Kirti Vasu and Sebastian Maerker make up the “formidable” talent. Further lawyers from Italy, the Netherlands and Spain earn sufficient votes to appear, as does Rahul Guptan in Singapore. In the UAE, the “brilliant” Debashis Dey gives the firm an entry from Dubai, and Christopher Walsh in Abu Dhabi has developed a “strong” reputation in structured debt financing, including Islamic finance.

The competition practice is renowned for its broad-ranging, global talent, which includes the managing partner of the global antitrust group and EU head of public policy Oliver Bretz. Based in London, Bretz is an experienced practitioner in all areas of EU and UK competition law. He is a “good businessman who has galvanised the practice”, according to our sources. In Brussels Thomas Vinje and Tony Reeves are “worthy inclusions”. Further notable European offices include the teams in Düsseldorf, Paris and Rome. The firm is also represented state-side, with the “superb” William Blumenthal in DC.

The firm is fêted for its litigation, banking and aviation work, and they feature 13 lawyers in each of those chapters. In the litigation section, the firm’s European offices perform well, with further representations in Hong Kong. Three are in England, led by London managing partner Jeremy Sandelson, an “authority” in this area. The firm’s head of public policy Michael Smyth is also highly rated, as is Simon Davis, a “highly effective litigator”. In Frankfurt Fabian von Schlabrendorff is head of the European litigation and dispute resolution practice and a “leading light in this field”, praised for his litigation and arbitration work. Timur Aitkulov in Russia is included for his “impressive” knowledge, and Martin Rogers was the most highly regarded individual in the Hong Kong research. Head of litigation and dispute resolution in Asia, he was repeatedly praised as “first-class”.

Additionally, in the banking chapter the European offices present world-class talent, with noteworthy mentions in Asia. The global head of finance and banking, Mark Campbell, is highly rated in the research, as are James Johnson, Alan Inglis and Malcolm Sweeting in London. Tokyo managing partner Peter Kilner has over 20 years’ experience advising on financing structures in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Equally, in Singapore Andrew Gambarini advises on finance in the consumer retail sector.

In the London aviation scene, Clive Carpenter is “highly regarded” for his finance expertise, while William Glaister has a “top” practice in all aspects of aviation asset finance. Nick Swinburne specialises in asset and structured finance and equipment leasing, as does Robert Burley. In New York, Geoffrey White is renowned in this field, as is John Howitt. In Singapore, the “tremendous” Simon Briscoe has 20 years of experience advising clients in the region in matters relating to aviation finance. Keiji Isaji is located in Tokyo and specialises in finance and regulatory matters. Paul Greenwell in Hong Kong advises on cross-border and domestic asset leasing and financing transactions.

The firm also distinguishes itself in the insolvency and restructuring, insurance, M&A, private funds, real estate and tax chapters.