Frequently asked questions

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How large is the US corporate group in London, Europe and Asia?

We operate the US Corporate Group on an integrated basis from three hubs: London, Frankfurt and Hong Kong. As of August 1, 2011, in London, we had five partners, one counsel and 14 associates in the US Corporate Group in London. Three first year associates will join the team in October 2011. We also have one partner and three associates in Frankfurt, one counsel in Paris and two partners and eight associates in Hong Kong.

Is there a summer associate program in London?

Yes. Up to six summer associates can participate in the US summer associate program in London. These summer associates will spend 10 to 12 weeks working in the US Corporate Group in London. Candidates should be seriously considering beginning their careers as permanent associates in London or Europe. In addition, a limited number of summer associates from New York can spend two weeks in the London office.

What is the reputation of the London US group in the market?

We have a reputation (both as described in legal periodicals and as expressed by a number of our investment banking clients) as the best US team in the "Magic Circle" (i.e., the major international firms based in London).

Our US partners in London are among the most experienced and well respected US lawyers in London. For example, US Group head (and International Capital Markets Group co-head) Sarah Murphy has been practicing in London for 24 years and Don Guiney has been in London for 21 years.

What deals do the US lawyers work on?

Our primary businesses are equity capital markets and high yield and other debt capital markets. We also advise on the US law aspects of major cross border M&A transactions.

Equity capital markets

The Firm's UK-based equity capital markets business has a reputation as one of the best in the world and has consistently appeared at or near the top of published league tables for London Stock Exchange-listed equity capital markets transactions. We represent both issuers and all the major investment banks. Our US lawyers regularly work on and lead many of these deals. US lawyers in London are also playing leading roles in our rapidly expanding equity capital markets business in Russia, Ukraine and other emerging markets. Finally, our London based US team works on equity capital markets deals across Europe, particularly in Germany, Spain and France, but also in the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy.

High yield and other debt capital markets

Our high yield debt practice is based in London and our high yield team is widely regarded as one of the best in the European market and top among non-US firms. The US team added two new high yield partners in London in 2011. Lawyers in the London US Corporate Group represent private equity sponsors, corporate issuers and underwriters in high yield debt transactions. Our US lawyers work closely with lawyers in our banking and M&A teams to provide high yield debt financing for complex leveraged buyouts throughout the UK and Europe. Our high yield team is also extremely active in the area of corporate refinancings and restructurings. Our US team also works on a wide variety of Eurobond issues, medium term note programs and "Yankee" bonds.

M&A

Lawyers in the London US Corporate Group also advise on the US law aspects of cross-border public takeovers and mergers involving companies in the UK and throughout Europe.

Can London-based associates work in other offices?

Yes. Our London-based associates regularly work on transactions in Western Europe, Russia and the CIS, the Middle East and Asia. They visit our offices in the regions to work on deals and also may have the opportunity to be seconded to other offices for longer periods.

Is there a training program for the US corporate group in London?

Yes. Summer associates participate in regular weekly training sessions (given by partners, counsel and senior associates) covering key US securities law topics relevant to our day to day practice. Summer associates also attend a weekly London US Corporate Group lunch meeting where we discuss recent developments in the market and other topics of interest.

What is the compensation package for summer associates in London?

Summer associates in London receive the same weekly compensation as our summer associates based in the US. In addition we provide accommodation during their stay and cover the cost of one economy class round trip air fare from the US to and from London.

What is the interview process for summer associate positions in London?

Successful candidates in on-campus interviews will be offered call back interviews in our New York office. Call back interviews for the London summer program will be held at a date in September to be confirmed. At the call back interviews candidates will meet partners from the London US Corporate Group and will meet other members of the US group in London by video link.

Successful candidates in the call back interview stage will be offered a position in the 2012 summer associate program in London.

Can London summer associates split their time between two firms?

We strongly discourage split summers. In exceptional circumstances we will allow a summer associate to split his or her summer with a law firm outside of the UK.

Must associates in London be fluent in a language other than English?

While fluency in a Western European language (particularly German, French or Spanish), Russian or Mandarin can be very helpful in our day to day practice, it is not mandatory.

Is there a requirement that permanent associates in the London US corporate group be a member of a specific State Bar?

All permanent associates in the London US Corporate Group must be members of the New York Bar.

London candidates please contact Marcus Morley or Jacqueline Bulmer.

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