Equity capital
We have one of the world’s strongest international equity capital markets practices. Clients come to us for our commercial and practical approach and our ability to advise on transactions in every major jurisdiction.
We help with listings on many of the world’s key stock exchanges using a range of offering structures, and can advise on the latest legal developments and changing market practice.
We have lawyers qualified to practice in every major jurisdiction, including an integrated US capital markets team operating across Europe, Asia and the US. We act for issuers; selling shareholders and underwriters; all the major investment banks; and many governments worldwide, covering all areas of industry.
We have extensive capabilities in the full range of equity capital markets transactions and advise on IPOs of both share issuers and GDR issuers, secondary offerings including rights issues, open offers and placings; as well as equity-linked debt securities, block trades and accelerated book-build offerings.
Many of our transactions are cross-border in nature and involve lawyers from a range of practice areas in multiple jurisdictions.
Minority investments
Joint ventures, alliances and minority investments have become an important strategic option for many companies – particularly those operating internationally.
These transactions are an active part of our corporate practice for a range of clients across many different industry sectors. They include:
- joint ventures as single transactions or as part of a wider restructuring or reorganisation of existing businesses
- new ventures combining complementary skills and technologies
- project-based joint ventures
- joint ventures as an entry into emerging markets
When structuring and planning joint ventures, we’re also able to call on our experience in allied areas such as regulatory, tax, pensions, employment, commercial, environmental and intellectual property law.
Our network of offices means we’re perfectly placed to offer a co-ordinated and complete service on cross-border joint ventures.
We advise on the issues and pitfalls along the way, such as voting and deadlock, regulatory approvals, understanding risks, to keep negotiations moving forward.
See also: Joint ventures and minority investments
Rights issues and other secondary offerings
We advise issuers and underwriters on the full spectrum of secondary offerings, including rights issues, placings, open offers and accelerated book-build transactions by issuers incorporated in a range of jurisdictions worldwide.
We often advise issuers on the most appropriate transaction structure, in conjunction with the issuer’s other advisers, taking into account the issuer’s funding needs in the context of its balance-sheet management and the wider commercial rationale for the transaction.
Our global network of capital markets lawyers has acted on a large number of the rights issues and other secondary equity capital raisings by banks and corporates in Europe and Asia in recent years.
IPOs
We advise on the IPOs of a full range of issuers, from start-ups to privately owned companies intending to move to the public markets through to private equity exits or as part of a privatisation.
We operate in jurisdictions across the globe and often oversee listings on multiple exchanges. We have extensive experience in all significant EU, Asian and exchange-regulated markets, advising either the syndicate banks or the issuer and selling shareholders.
We have advised on a large proportion of London premium segment IPOs and many of our clients have sought FTSE 100 inclusion. With lawyers experienced in corporate governance, M&A and listed company matters we also provide ongoing advice to companies after flotation.
We have experience advising on IPOs in every sector, including financial institutions, IT and telecoms, media and technology, energy and natural resources, transport and manufacturing, and bring in lawyers from our dedicated industry groups where necessary.
We are also familiar with the legal, practical and commercial issues facing emerging markets issuers.
