Our Investigations and White-Collar Defence team is a leader in high-stakes government investigations, litigation and compliance. We are particularly well-known for the following:

• We have played leading roles in major investigations in countries around the world. Our lawyers have extensive experience defending clients who do business across borders—helping them manage their exposure to simultaneous multi-jurisdictional enforcement actions

• We help secure successful outcomes in high-stakes government investigations, litigation, and corporate compliance, including anti-corruption and FCPA, global trade controls, privacy and data security, securities enforcement, and white-collar matters

• We lead the way in our respective areas of law, from developing innovative compliance programs and measures to conducting complex, sensitive internal investigations

• We advise on all aspects of anti-corruption law—including designing and improving compliance programs, conducting due diligence on M&A targets and intermediaries, leading internal investigations and negotiating with government enforcement authorities, handling post-resolution compliance responsibilities, and navigating the civil litigation that often accompanies anticorruption investigations

• We work closely with our clients to develop and implement litigation strategies that align with their business goals

Our London employment law department forms an integral part of one of the longest-established international employment law practices of a U.S. firm. The London team is a key part of that global excellence and is especially well known for:

• Complex, high-court employment litigation for big-name employers

• Full-service employment expertise including counselling work, specific projects (including employee transitions, restructures and redundancies) and transactional work (supporting the firm’s real estate finance and corporate departments)

• Helping clients to navigate the complex and dynamic regulatory environment both in the UK and internationally and provide pragmatic, commercial advice to support our clients in their commercial aims

• Providing clients with up-to-date information in the jurisdictions they do business in. Our Mapping the Trends initiative was highly commended in the Financial Times Innovative Lawyers awards

Please see here for Information on UK Cases of Unfair or Wrongful Dismissal

Our London litigators offer a wide range of practice areas including banking and corporate litigation, commercial litigation, compliance, international arbitration, intellectual property, securities litigation, insolvency litigation, and labour and employment litigation. The team advises financial institutions, corporations, and private clients on UK and international arbitration, litigation and insolvency matters.

We have a broad multi-jurisdictional and multi-disciplinary practice comprising lawyers across teams in the UK and also in Europe, the US and Asia. We regularly work together to support clients across the full spectrum of their global contentious legal requirements.

Paul Hastings’ London-based tax practice advises UK and international clients on the tax aspects of some of the largest and most challenging mandates in the market. Our team advises on the tax features of M&A, private equity, real estate, investment funds, structured and asset finance, joint ventures, securitisations, financing arrangements, corporate mergers, demergers, organisations and restructuring, as well as tax litigation and IP planning matters. We help to keep clients up to date on ever changing legislation and policy developments and work as part of an integrated global team to provide commercial and practical tax advice to a broad range of clients.

We are recognised for our expertise and experience in many areas, including:

• Investment Funds

• Structured finance / CLOs

• Real Estate

• Private Equity / M&A

Our Securitisation team represents private and public corporations, investors, funds, and investment banks in the full range of capital markets transactions, including debt, equity, high yield, structured finance, securitisation and derivatives. As a result of the large volume of CMBS and RMBS transactions that we have worked on, our finance, tax and restructuring lawyers are among the most experienced in the market. The team is better able to lead CMBS and RMBS transactions through the legal, regulatory, rating agency and investor hurdles than any other legal team in the market (including with respect to US regulatory and tax issues).

We have led the most significant CMBS transactions in the market and many of the innovations seen in European CMBS 2.0 structures, A/B structures, class X structures, and servicing. We have significant experience in the RMBS market on both company and bank side including with respect to residential mortgage portfolio trades and financings and servicing arrangements.

In a world where a person’s data can be a valuable asset, the regulatory framework governing the use, storage and transfer of that personal data has become increasingly complex. Globally, the multiple, ever more stringent, rules regarding personal data, and regulatory authorities’ enforcement activity in the area, all have implications for the activities of companies with access to such personal data. The security of data has progressively become more of an issue and data security obligations are of increasing legal concern.

Paul Hastings offers an integrated suite of services with recognised professionals. We have brought together a unique, cross-disciplinary team with diverse perspectives and experience in business, law and technology. Our Privacy & Security Group provides a range of advisory and consulting services to identify, analyse and manage solutions for today’s emerging privacy and security challenges. This collaborative team enables us to provide clients the highest quality legal and regulatory advice as well as guide them through the practical implementation and provide ongoing compliance solutions beyond the traditional array of law firm offerings.

To stay ahead of the curve and uncover new opportunities, players in the CLO space must balance their risks and exposures. Our lawyers are at the forefront of the market, advising leading investors and top market participants on virtually every type of structured credit transaction, and with underlying collateral that includes broadly syndicated and middle-market bank loans, high-yield bonds, ABS, MBS, trust-preferred, distressed debt, hedge fund interests, and emerging market debt.

• Our team has deep industry knowledge relating to regulatory matters, including the Volcker Rule and U.S. and European risk retention requirements

• Recognised as Best CLO Law Firm at the Alt Credit Intelligence European Services Awards

• Named the Top Global CLO Arranger Counsel by Creditflux

Real estate continues to draw investors into prime markets — and some secondary markets. Savvy industry players require experienced advisors who can provide the highest standard of advice needed for successful international transactions. Our team is here to manage the legal aspects of your transactions quickly and effectively.

• Our team focuses on the most complex transactions in real estate funds, structured equity and joint ventures, real estate finance, property development, and investment acquisitions and disposals

• Named Law Firm of the Year — Transactions by Property Investor Europe

• Ranked as leading lawyers for hospitality and real estate in Chambers UK and Legal 500

While pressure keeps rising from competition and political volatility in the credit funds market, investors who can think creatively look to gain the most. Paul Hastings draws together relevant expertise to deliver bespoke, cost-effective advice covering all aspects of funds and all fund strategies, from tax structuring to negotiating commercial terms to implementing carried interest and co-investment schemes.

• We are lead counsel for the largest-ever European private debt fund, which is also the second largest globally

• Our team has expertise in both regulated and unregulated funds, offshore and onshore, as well as deep expertise in CLOs

• Recognised by IFLR for Deal of the Year and by PDI European for Law Firm of the Year for our credit funds and direct lending work

Tightening monetary and fiscal policies and an aggressive regulatory environment have created new challenges for players in the financial services sector. We partner with clients to evolve their business strategies to retain market share, while minimising their exposure to risk.

• We have advised over 100 alternative lenders globally on financings ranging from US$25M to US$4B+

• Our team advises clients on all areas of regulatory compliance, including payment and investment services, portfolio management, anti-money laundering, bribery and corruption, outsourcing, and financial sanctions

• We regularly advise clients on fund structures, CLO portfolio management arrangements, and issues related to Brexit, including marketing and delegation of investment advice and portfolio management to the UK

In today’s current global financing and regulatory environment, it is essential for those seeking growth to manage risks while swiftly pursuing new opportunities. Our team can help you address your financing challenges in the European leveraged finance market with innovative, strategic thinking and flawless execution.

• Over the past year, our team has acted on European leveraged finance mandates for every major investment bank in the European leveraged finance market

• We advise on the full spectrum of financings, restructurings, and regulatory compliance issues across a variety of sectors, including energy, technology, fintech, telecommunications, media, healthcare, life sciences, and professional services

• Recognised by IFLR for Deal of the Year and by PDI European for Law Firm of the Year for our credit funds and direct lending work

Despite disruptions in the global economy, regional and cross-border M&A continues to flourish. Our highly experienced team handles the full range of corporate transactions, including public and private M&A, joint ventures, and strategic alliances. Over the past two years, we have advised clients on more than 500 M&A deals globally.

• We offer clients a deep understanding of both local conditions and industry trends, helping them to gain a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace

• We partner with our clients across the full investment cycle, from VC- and private equity-related investments to broad-based, mid-market transactions to multi-billion-dollar, complex, cross-border deals involving public and private companies

• Recognized for our work on the Europe M&A Deal of the Year by International Financial Law Review

Increased transparency and accountability have brought new challenges to the private equity industry, from greater competition to increased pressure to secure profitable exits. Our dedicated sponsor-side transactional team delivers bespoke advice to our clients across all stages of their investment cycles and across the full spectrum of their legal requirements.

• Our team advises on all aspects from tax structuring, fund compliance, M&A, take-privates, financing structures and arrangements, management incentive plans, portfolio engagements, and dispositions

• We work with private equity firms across industries and sectors and advise on transactions of all sizes, with particular experience in mid-sized deals that have important strategic implications

• Ranked as leading lawyers for private equity in Chambers Europe, Legal 500, and other industry guides

In today’s global marketplace, the legal and technical complexities of forming a private investment fund continue to grow. With one of the industry’s most sophisticated practices, we advise clients on all matters relating to the formation and operation of private investment funds, including complicated co-investment and carried interest schemes in a variety of categories from real estate to private equity to venture capital.

• Our team has acted on over 30 successful European fundraisings, raising over €20B of capital, over the past two years

• Recognised as Fund Formation Practice Firm of the Year at the Real Estate Finance & Investment Awards

• Named Law Firm of the Year — Fund Formation by Property Investor Europe

When looking for guidance to help with the purchase, development, financing, leasing, or sale of a property for business or investment, you need a partner with deep market knowledge and transactional experience. Our team represents both lenders and borrowers across the full spectrum of financings, from conventional commercial loans to sophisticated capital markets and securitised transactions across Europe.

• Served as lead advisers on more post-credit crunch CMBS transactions than any other London-based team

• Recognised as Finance Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards

• Named Law Firm of the Year — Transactions by Property Investor Europe

In today’s global marketplace, opportunities abound for real estate investors who can think creatively. Our integrated real estate team offers deep, market-specific knowledge and hands-on transactional experience to our clients. We help navigate our clients through the full life cycle of funds — from structuring and documentation to offering, negotiation, and implementation.

• Represented a global real estate fund in one of the largest pan-European hotel acquisitions in recent years

• Our team has acted on over 30 successful European fundraisings, raising over €20B of capital, over the past two years

• Named Law Firm of the Year — Fund Formation by Property Investor Europe

Market and regulatory pressures on capitalisation are fuelling a new wave of corporate and financial services restructurings. Having handled some of the most significant restructurings throughout Europe, our lawyers have the expertise to help clients navigate the complex regulatory, market, and stakeholder issues.

• We advise on some of the most significant restructurings and acquisitions of distressed assets throughout Asia, Europe, and the U.S.

• We have robust CVA and UK scheme of arrangement capabilities, as well as big-ticket Chapter 11 expertise

• Recognised as Restructuring Team of the Year at LegalWeek’s British Legal Awards