Four Decades for Justice
Clients rely on Cravath’s London office for our unparalleled reputation for excellence in legal services and the depth of our U.S. bench, which is one of the largest in London. Our London‑based lawyers include UK-qualified attorneys who advise clients across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia on both the bank and bond aspects of European and cross‑border financings. Our diversified corporate practice encompasses the full spectrum of U.S. and cross‑border bank and bond financings; mergers and acquisitions; regulatory and SEC compliance matters; restructurings; investigations; and general corporate matters.
Our capital markets practice is distinctive for its balanced representation of both corporate issuers and investment banks in connection with high‑yield and investment grade bond offerings, IPOs and other equity offerings, both on an SEC‑registered basis as well as pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. We also represent financial institutions and alternative lenders, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors in a wide range of bank and credit transactions, including leveraged and investment grade bridge and acquisition financings, direct lending transactions and distressed financings.
Cravath is ranked among the leading law firms in London by Chambers UK, The Legal 500 UK and IFLR1000 UK. Our London‑based partners are widely recognized for their expertise and the quality of their counsel, and regularly receive individual honors. Our work with large multinational and international companies, many of whom have retained us from their inception, has enabled us to develop a uniquely broad-based practice.
Our London office regularly handles the type of complex, novel and high-profile transactions that form the core of Cravath’s specialty and strength. We have led many of the largest high‑yield bond financings in Europe and the first buyouts in France and Italy financed primarily with high-yield bonds in addition to introducing “pay-in-kind” (PIK) instruments in Europe and advising on the first out-of-court restructuring of high‑yield bonds issued by a European company. Cravath’s London lawyers have also advised on many significant recent acquisition financings and cross‑border deals, creating new global leaders and transforming industries. We are also among a select group of legal advisors internationally, leading IPOs of companies based in Belgium, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, among others.
Many of our London-based attorneys have multiple language fluencies to better assist international clients and foreign counsel in our global practice. In addition, we work closely with the leading law firms in other jurisdictions, enhancing our global reach to address our clients’ needs wherever they may arise.
Cravath has a rich, century-long legacy of commitment to Europe and has maintained a dedicated London office and team since 1973, after opening an office in Paris first in 1927. Paul D. Cravath was made an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court, and the Firm acted as U.S. legal advisor in the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the precursor to the European Union.
Our capital markets practice is distinctive for its balanced representation of both corporate issuers and investment banks in connection with high‑yield and investment grade bond offerings, IPOs and other equity offerings, both on an SEC‑registered basis as well as pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S. We also represent financial institutions and alternative lenders, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors in a wide range of bank and credit transactions, including leveraged and investment grade bridge and acquisition financings, direct lending transactions and distressed financings.
Cravath is ranked among the leading law firms in London by Chambers UK, The Legal 500 UK and IFLR1000 UK. Our London‑based partners are widely recognized for their expertise and the quality of their counsel, and regularly receive individual honors. Our work with large multinational and international companies, many of whom have retained us from their inception, has enabled us to develop a uniquely broad-based practice.
Our London office regularly handles the type of complex, novel and high-profile transactions that form the core of Cravath’s specialty and strength. We have led many of the largest high‑yield bond financings in Europe and the first buyouts in France and Italy financed primarily with high-yield bonds in addition to introducing “pay-in-kind” (PIK) instruments in Europe and advising on the first out-of-court restructuring of high‑yield bonds issued by a European company. Cravath’s London lawyers have also advised on many significant recent acquisition financings and cross‑border deals, creating new global leaders and transforming industries. We are also among a select group of legal advisors internationally, leading IPOs of companies based in Belgium, France, Germany, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom, among others.
Many of our London-based attorneys have multiple language fluencies to better assist international clients and foreign counsel in our global practice. In addition, we work closely with the leading law firms in other jurisdictions, enhancing our global reach to address our clients’ needs wherever they may arise.
Cravath has a rich, century-long legacy of commitment to Europe and has maintained a dedicated London office and team since 1973, after opening an office in Paris first in 1927. Paul D. Cravath was made an Honorary Bencher of Gray’s Inn, one of the four Inns of Court, and the Firm acted as U.S. legal advisor in the formation of the European Coal and Steel Community, the precursor to the European Union.
Deals & Cases
November 30, 2023
Cravath represented the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a £375 million term loan facility made available to Mars, Incorporated to finance the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest privately-held, family-owned businesses with a history of successfully building and growing market-leading consumer brands for over 100 years. The transaction closed on November 16, 2023.
Deals & Cases
November 27, 2023
Cravath represented the managers in connection with the €2 billion fixed‑to‑floating rate notes offering of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm. This offering was issued under JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s $65 billion Euro medium‑term note program. The transaction closed on November 13, 2023.
Deals & Cases
September 12, 2023
Cravath represented the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) in connection with its $4 billion registered notes offering. The purpose of the EIB is to contribute to the balanced and steady development of the internal market among Member States of the European Union. The notes were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The transaction closed on August 29, 2023.
Deals & Cases
August 30, 2023
Cravath represented the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical by funds advised by the private equity firms Apax Partners LLP and Fremman Capital. Palex Medical is a leading provider of high value‑added medical technology equipment and solutions in Southern Europe.
Deals & Cases
May 15, 2023
On May 12, 2023, AngloGold Ashanti, an independent, global gold mining company, announced that it has undertaken a comprehensive review of its domicile and listing structure and concluded that the most appropriate structure for AngloGold Ashanti Group is a UK corporate domicile with a U.S. primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) and A2X Markets (“A2X”) in South Africa and on the Ghana Stock Exchange (“GhSE”) in Ghana. Cravath is representing AngloGold Ashanti as U.S. counsel in connection with this matter.
Accolades
October 27, 2023
On October 26, 2023, London’s The Times announced the inclusion of Cravath in its 2024 list of the “Best Law Firms.” The annual list recognizes “the best lawyers for business, public and private-client law” in England and Wales, and highlighted the work of Cravath’s London office, including its representation of the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical. This year’s list is the first year in which Cravath has been recognized and commends the Firm for its work in banking and finance.
Accolades
July 13, 2023
On July 6, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to India Business Law Journal’s 2023 “International A‑List.” The list recognizes “the foreign lawyers most recommended by clients and peers for their work on the cross‑border aspects of India‑related matters,” as nominated by professionals at a wide range of Indian and global companies and Indian law firms.
Activities & Publications
June 23, 2023
Cravath partner Nicholas A. Dorsey served as the co‑editor of the 2023 edition of the Chambers Acquisition Finance Guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series. Nick also co‑authored, along with Cravath partners Ryan J. Patrone and Kelly M. Smercina and European Counsel Margaret R. M. Rallings, the U.S. chapter of the guide.
Accolades
June 06, 2023
On May 21, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to Financial News’ third annual “Fifty Most Influential Lawyers” list, which recognizes “the leading legal minds working in Europe on corporate deals.” The feature described Philip as having “a long and successful track record advising clients on initial public offerings, leveraged financings and other equity offerings.” The publication also highlighted his representation of HDFC Bank as U.S. counsel in its $40 billion merger with HDFC Limited, India’s largest‑ever M&A deal at the time of announcement, and of the European Investment Bank in its $4 billion registered notes offering of a Sustainability Awareness Bond.
Activities & Publications
May 15, 2023
Cravath partners Alyssa K. Caples and Kelly M. Smercina participated in the International Bar Association’s 38th International Financial Law Conference, which was held from May 10‑12, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Alyssa co‑chaired a panel entitled “Cutting the Apron Strings: the Start‑up’s Journey from VC Financing to IPO,” which reviewed key exit strategy considerations for start‑ups and venture capital funds and the benefits and disadvantages of the IPO route, including enhanced liquidity for investors, access to capital, maintenance of control and employee equity incentives, but also exposure to market volatility and regulatory burdens. Kelly spoke on a panel entitled “Here, There or Everywhere: Taking the Decision on Where to List and Why?,” which examined the current listing landscape and the competitive position of stock exchanges globally, including the current trends and future outlook of the IPO and listing market.
Deals & Cases
November 30, 2023
Cravath represented the administrative agent, sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner in connection with a £375 million term loan facility made available to Mars, Incorporated to finance the recommended acquisition of Hotel Chocolat Group plc. Mars, Incorporated is one of the world’s largest privately-held, family-owned businesses with a history of successfully building and growing market-leading consumer brands for over 100 years. The transaction closed on November 16, 2023.
Deals & Cases
November 27, 2023
Cravath represented the managers in connection with the €2 billion fixed‑to‑floating rate notes offering of JPMorgan Chase & Co., a leading global financial services firm. This offering was issued under JPMorgan Chase & Co.’s $65 billion Euro medium‑term note program. The transaction closed on November 13, 2023.
Deals & Cases
September 12, 2023
Cravath represented the European Investment Bank (“EIB”) in connection with its $4 billion registered notes offering. The purpose of the EIB is to contribute to the balanced and steady development of the internal market among Member States of the European Union. The notes were listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. The transaction closed on August 29, 2023.
Deals & Cases
August 30, 2023
Cravath represented the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical by funds advised by the private equity firms Apax Partners LLP and Fremman Capital. Palex Medical is a leading provider of high value‑added medical technology equipment and solutions in Southern Europe.
Deals & Cases
May 15, 2023
On May 12, 2023, AngloGold Ashanti, an independent, global gold mining company, announced that it has undertaken a comprehensive review of its domicile and listing structure and concluded that the most appropriate structure for AngloGold Ashanti Group is a UK corporate domicile with a U.S. primary listing on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) and secondary listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (“JSE”) and A2X Markets (“A2X”) in South Africa and on the Ghana Stock Exchange (“GhSE”) in Ghana. Cravath is representing AngloGold Ashanti as U.S. counsel in connection with this matter.
Accolades
October 27, 2023
On October 26, 2023, London’s The Times announced the inclusion of Cravath in its 2024 list of the “Best Law Firms.” The annual list recognizes “the best lawyers for business, public and private-client law” in England and Wales, and highlighted the work of Cravath’s London office, including its representation of the lead arrangers in connection with senior facilities to finance the pending acquisition of Palex Medical. This year’s list is the first year in which Cravath has been recognized and commends the Firm for its work in banking and finance.
Accolades
July 13, 2023
On July 6, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to India Business Law Journal’s 2023 “International A‑List.” The list recognizes “the foreign lawyers most recommended by clients and peers for their work on the cross‑border aspects of India‑related matters,” as nominated by professionals at a wide range of Indian and global companies and Indian law firms.
Activities & Publications
June 23, 2023
Cravath partner Nicholas A. Dorsey served as the co‑editor of the 2023 edition of the Chambers Acquisition Finance Guide, which is part of the publisher’s Global Practice Guide series. Nick also co‑authored, along with Cravath partners Ryan J. Patrone and Kelly M. Smercina and European Counsel Margaret R. M. Rallings, the U.S. chapter of the guide.
Accolades
June 06, 2023
On May 21, 2023, Cravath partner Philip J. Boeckman was named to Financial News’ third annual “Fifty Most Influential Lawyers” list, which recognizes “the leading legal minds working in Europe on corporate deals.” The feature described Philip as having “a long and successful track record advising clients on initial public offerings, leveraged financings and other equity offerings.” The publication also highlighted his representation of HDFC Bank as U.S. counsel in its $40 billion merger with HDFC Limited, India’s largest‑ever M&A deal at the time of announcement, and of the European Investment Bank in its $4 billion registered notes offering of a Sustainability Awareness Bond.
Activities & Publications
May 15, 2023
Cravath partners Alyssa K. Caples and Kelly M. Smercina participated in the International Bar Association’s 38th International Financial Law Conference, which was held from May 10‑12, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Alyssa co‑chaired a panel entitled “Cutting the Apron Strings: the Start‑up’s Journey from VC Financing to IPO,” which reviewed key exit strategy considerations for start‑ups and venture capital funds and the benefits and disadvantages of the IPO route, including enhanced liquidity for investors, access to capital, maintenance of control and employee equity incentives, but also exposure to market volatility and regulatory burdens. Kelly spoke on a panel entitled “Here, There or Everywhere: Taking the Decision on Where to List and Why?,” which examined the current listing landscape and the competitive position of stock exchanges globally, including the current trends and future outlook of the IPO and listing market.
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