'Seamlessly integrating legal and regulatory knowledge', A&O Shearman is well-placed to provide 'client and solutions-oriented' advice to corporates, funds and banks across a wide range of their financing needs. The banking function, which is co-led by the vastly experienced Pierre Schleimer and the 'very reliable and responsive' Andreas Hommel, is well-versed at handling a myriad of lending activity throughout the capital structure, including to facilitate real estate and for M&A purposes - invariably containing a cross-border element (where the team is able to leverage the firm's vast international network). For capital markets matters, Frank Mausen 'stands out as an unparalleled thought leader', advising on a myriad equity, debt and hybrid issuances, including a considerable amount tied to green/sustainable criteria. Recently promoted partner Baptiste Aubry often provides the regulatory input on banking and capital markets transactions, including banking M&A, and is frequently called upon to advise on licensing requirements and governance issues. Paul Péporté co-heads the capital markets team with Mausen.

 

Combining 'exceptional legal expertise' with a 'practical and solutions-oriented approach', developed over many years at the vanguard of the domestic banking and finance market, Arendt & Medernach is a popular choice among funds, corporates and banks seeking or providing finance for a myriad purposes. Matthieu Taillandier, who heads up the overarching finance team, delivers 'very knowledgeable and calm' advice to creditors and debtors seeking or providing finance throughout the credit spectrum, including to facilitate real estate, projects and M&A purposes. He is also well-versed at handling debt and equity capital markets transactions, and along with Grégory Minne spearheads the team's growing fund finance offering. The team's 'deep knowledge of banking and finance regulations' pervades a good deal of its transactional work, as well as in the context of advice on standalone matters, including in relation to payments and fintech. Marc Mouton, who leads the financial institutions and insurance industry group, has a 'deep knowledge of the market and the regulator's expectations', ensuring that he is regularly sought out on big-ticket and sophisticated matters, including large-scale financial services M&A. Banking head Glenn Meyer also has strong knowledge of regulatory concerns impacting the sector, information which he puts to good use on banking M&A, as well as compliance, risk management and litigation in the context of ever evolving legislative changes in the sector. Other key practitioners include vastly experienced banking litigator Philippe Dupont; capital markets expert François Warken; Laurent Schummer, who regularly advises on equity capital markets matters; senior statesman Paul Mousel, who has vast financial services regulatory knowledge; and the 'clever and commercial' Lynn Alzin, whose work includes advice on high yield issuances and on fund finance matters.

The ‘reactive’ team at Clifford Chance provides a ‘high quality of service’ to lenders and borrowers engaged in a wide array of new money and refinancing activity. Here, as well as forming an integral part of the firm’s global offering – advising on the relevant domestic law aspects of cross-border deals – the team is also increasingly taking a lead role on deals as a result of the growing trend to structure matters governed by Luxembourg law. Much of the work is fund related, where as well as downstream acquisition financings, the team, under the guidance of the ‘very responsive and hands-on’ Martin Wurth also excels at fund level financing for a balanced mix of lenders and borrowers, including on bespoke hybrid preferred equity/NAV financing arrangements. Marc Mehlen is ‘very experienced’ at handling both bank loan financing and debt capital markets-based capital raising to pursue a myriad aims, including in a corporate lending and real estate context. As well as also handling new money deals, Stefanie Ferring has a focus on cross-border financial restructurings and restructuring work involving financial institutions and real estate portfolios. Mehlan, Wurth and Ferring co-head the overarching banking and finance team alongside Steve Jacoby, who is particularly noted for his regulatory expertise.

Underpinned by 'deep industry knowledge' and regulatory expertise, the 'extremely responsive' team at Elvinger Hoss Prussen is well-positioned to provide a 'pragmatic and efficient' service to a borrower-focused client base seeking funding for a myriad of aims. Much of this transactional work is fund-related, whether it be in the context of financing for their own internal needs or their downstream investment activity. Karl Pardaens is well-versed in such financing, as well as advising on equity capital markets matters, including as it relates to Special Purpose Acquisition Vehicles (SPACs). The 'strategic' Thierry Kauffman is also a key practitioner in the capital markets space, although his primary focus is in relation to DCM work (including high yield issuances), while senior statesman Philippe Hoss maintains a strong ECM offering which includes advice on publicly-listed M&A. Much of the firm's financial institution-side work is informed by its pre-eminent regulatory capability, both in relation to traditional banking advice (including on standalone strategic advice and in the context of M&A in the sector) and fintech/payments matters. Here, clients benefit from a compelling mix of youth and experience, with the "old guard" represented by stalwarts including André Hoffmann, who has 'great connections', and the newer generation, including Tiago Nogueira, who is abreast across all developments in the ever evolving regulatory landscape. Other key practitioners include Pit Reckinger; international banking and finance regulatory expert Henri Wagner; and capital markets expert Philippe Prussen.

Leveraging 'excellent industry knowledge' across the banking and capital markets landscape, as well as being abreast of relevant market trends, Linklaters 'delivers top quality work' to a myriad stakeholders engaged in new money and refinancing work. Much of this is cross-border, with the firm collaborating 'extremely well with other offices' throughout the network to provide a compelling service on many high-profile transactions. The tone is set by 'exceptional' team head Melinda Perera, who 'has all the technical skills necessary to execute complex financings' throughout the capital structure, with recent work encompassing cross-border restructurings, real estate finance and supranational debt capital markets transactions. The 'excellent' Patrick Geortay is also a key member of the team and is particularly active advising on leveraged and asset finance transactions. On the regulatory front, Eliane Dejardin Botelho excels at providing 'tailor made and out of the box solutions' to clients both on standalone matters, as well as in the context of financial services M&A. Nicki Kayser  also maintains a vibrant transactional practice, including on fund financings, DCM and structured financings, work which he combines with his duties as managing partner.

The 'very knowledgeable and responsive' team at Loyens & Loeff delivers 'high-quality work' to creditors and debtors across a wide spectrum of transactional matters, from relatively commoditised corporate lending matters, through to highly bespoke distressed and restructuring scenarios. Here clients also benefit from the firm's strong underlying regulatory offering, which is also utilised for discrete advisory matters and financial services M&A. The 'very effective and results-driven' Anne-Marie Nicolas is central to much of the transactional work and as well as handling a considerable volume of private equity-led acquisition finance mandates, is also noted for her restructuring/distressed financing expertise. Vassiliyan Zanev, who co-heads the overarching team alongside Nicolas, is best-known for his market-leading fund finance offering, work which he combines with a thriving securitisation practice. Of the more junior partners, Noemi Gemesi provides 'clear and effective' advice to issuers and underwriters on DCM and ECM work (including as it relates to green notes), and the 'commercially minded' Adrien Pierre has 'deep technical knowledge of banking regulation', and can flex this across the investment fund and securities industries.

 

Tapping into an 'excellent knowledge of the market', BSP provides 'cost-effective and high-quality advice' to banks, funds and corporates seeking or providing financing to facilitate general corporate, real estate and M&A needs, inter alia. As well as providing the Luxembourg-related structuring on cross-border mandates, the team is also well-versed at handling domestic deals governed by Luxembourg law. In this context, the 'very knowledgeable and pragmatic' Nicolas Widung has recently advised lenders on syndicated loans (under Luxembourg law) relating to domestic real estate. Although he has a fairly versatile finance offering, the 'outstanding' Laurent Lazard is best-known for his securitisation prowess for both arrangers and issuers of securitisation vehicles across a range of asset classes, including leasing receivables, credit card receivables. With 'the ability to translate Lux law issues into straightforward solutions', Nuala Doyle excels at handling complex cross-border transactions; she co-heads the team alongside Widung and Lazard.

Since it was established in May 2017, DLA Piper Luxembourg has gained traction in the market for a loyal lender and borrower client base which are appreciative not only of its product and regulatory knowledge but also its ability to effectively leverage the firm's global resources on big-ticket cross-border mandates. Drawing upon his 'longstanding practical experience in Luxembourg', including from a regulatory perspective, newly appointed team head Laurent Massinon is well-placed to provide 'pragmatic, business-oriented and responsive advice' spanning a wide spectrum of transactions, ranging from project and acquisition finance to capital markets and restructuring matters. Xavier Guzman is also very versatile and is recognised as a 'one-stop-shop for all banking and finance' matters, including on acquisition and energy financing.

The 'highly responsive' team at NautaDutilh provides 'cost-effective advice' to lenders, funds and corporates across a wide range of banking, capital markets and structured finance matters. As well as its skill in providing a one-stop-shop service to clients on Benelux deals (by virtue of its offices in Belgium and the Netherlands), the firm is also regularly engaged by clients in the UK and US on matters with a nexus to Luxembourg by virtue of permanent Luxembourg desks in both London and New York. Josée Weydert heads up the team that also includes Sara Gerling, who provides 'solutions-oriented' advice to stakeholders across a range of structured finance and securitisation matters.

Baker McKenzie provides 'pragmatic and cost-effective advice' to creditors and debtors seeking or providing finance to facilitate a range of aims, invariably in a cross-border setting. As well as regularly handling leverage finance matters, the 'highly technical' Jean-François Trapp is also very skilled at advising on real estate-related new money and refinancing mandates, often working alongside key firmwide European offices including Paris. Laurent Fessmann co-heads the team alongside Trapp and is noted, in particular, for for his bridge and fund finance work for asset managers.

Acting on its own as well as often alongside other offices throughout the firm’s international network, the ‘approachable, technical and highly responsive’ team at CMS is well-versed at advising on the Luxembourg aspects of cross-border new money and refinancing transactions. Much of the work is fund-driven, with ‘business and solutions-oriented‘ team head Vivian Walry noted, in particular, for his expertise advising asset managers on the financing to facilitate their downstream investment activity, including within the real estate space. On the regulatory front, Aurélia Viémont is ‘flexible and adaptive’, traits which are extremely important for fintech start-ups, which account for some of her client base.

Combining 'deep industry knowledge with a commitment to innovation and excellence', Dentons provides 'personalized and effective legal strategies' to lenders and borrowers engaged in corporate and real estate finance matters. Under the effective leadership of Stéphane Hadet, the team also continues to excel at handling fund finance matters, acting for a lender-focused client base on its own and often alongside the Paris and London offices, including on capital call subscription finance and NAV-based facilities, inter alia. Other key practitioners include Christophe Renaudin, who has 'exceptional expertise' on real estate finance matters, and associate Christian Azoulay , who is particularly skilled at advising on structured finance-related regulatory matters.

Deploying 'the right mix of black letter law knowledge and commercial acumen', GSK Stockmann continues to gain traction in the market, directly for clients as well as on a referral basis from international law firms, particularly in relation to capital markets and securitisation matters. Praised for his inclination 'to think outside the box to find solutions', Andreas Heinzmann is at the forefront of much of this work, as is the 'business-oriented' Valerio Scollo , particularly on matters with an Italian nexus. The 'approachable, helpful and commercial' Philipp Moessner co-heads the team alongside Heinzmann and regularly handles real estate finance work, often alongside lawyers from the firm's German offices.

The ‘user-friendly’ team at KLEYR GRASSO advises a borrower-focused client base across the full range of their financing needs, from general working capital facilities, funding for M&A and real estate purposes. Renata Jokubauskaite and Pierre-Alexandre Degehet co-head the team, with both also being well-versed in associated financial services regulatory matters. Degehet also handles debt and equity capital markets work, as does Delphine Tempé.

The ‘responsive and user-friendly’ team at Ogier provides a ‘very cost-effective’ service to a lender-focused client base on fund financing matters. Here, under the guidance of the ‘knowledgeable and pragmatic’ Jad Nader, the team has strong traction among UK and US banks, which are appreciative not only of their Luxembourg capabilities but also its ability to leverage the firm’s broader Cayman capabilities. Nader is also well-versed at advising creditors on real estate finance matters, while the firm’s borrower credentials were also enhanced by the arrival in February 2024 of private equity expert Delphine Gomes  from AKD.

The 'very commercial' team at Stibbe provides a 'high quality and cost-effective service' to creditors and debtors on loan deals, securitizations, capital market transactions, and reorganizations. Under the leadership of the 'outstanding' Jean-Marc Delcour, the team has built up particularly strong relationships with US law firms which frequently refer it work to advise on the Luxembourg law aspects of large cross-border deals. Private equity-led mandates remain a mainstay of the practice, although it has also continued to boost its real estate and capital markets offerings.

The 'nimble and solutions-oriented' team at AKD is 'very knowledgeable' across a range of banking and capital markets matters, providing 'pragmatic advice' to a borrower-focused client base that includes a growing roster of private equity firms. Arnaud Barchman is now sole head of the team following the recent departure of Yann Hilpert  to Maples Group and is appreciated for his 'personally engaging' approach to clients on securitisation and real estate matters, in particular. The 'very responsive and hands-on' Nicolas Bonora, who joined in June 2024 from Ogier, brings additional strength to the team, including for fund finance matters.

The 'small but reliable' team at Luther S.A. provides 'pragmatic and solutions- oriented' advice to corporates, funds (including family offices) and banks across a range of transactional and regulatory matters. Team head Bob Scharfe's expertise traverses both bank lending and capital markets matters, including advice to longstanding multinational Altice on its bond issuances. In addition, Scharfe regularly handles real estate financings, often alongside German offices at the firm, and has also recently combined his corporate and regulatory skills to good effect in relation to payments/fintech investments.

The 'knowledgeable, experienced and solutions-driven' team at Maples Group continues to perform well in the market and is increasingly favoured by international law firms to provide the Luxembourg law advice on substantial cross-border mandates. Much of this work relates to fund and structured financings, with Arnaud Arrecgros 'consistently providing sound legal advice that is commercially grounded' for both lenders and borrowers. The  'extremely responsive and engaged' Yann Hilpert , who joined the firm in May 2024 from AKD, co-heads the team alongside Arrecgros and adds increased bandwidth, particularly in the context of asset finance work.

Leveraging its strong firmwide asset management lineage, unsurprisingly a good deal of Simmons & Simmons in Luxembourg's financing work is funds-related, whether it be for their own operational purposes or in the context of financing of downstream investments. Louis-Mael Cogis takes the lead on this transactional work, and is also well-versed at handling securitisation matters. Cathrine Foldberg Møller is the lead partner for regulatory work.

Ashurst‘s team head Katia Fettes is well versed in matters across asset and real estate financing spaces, with further expertise in fund financing transactions, regularly working alongside the firm’s market-leading London practice for a strong lender client base. The team also oversees the regulatory aspects of financing mandates. Fabien Debroise departed the firm in January 2025.

Given the firm's overarching asset management strength, it is perhaps unsurprising that a good deal of financing work handled by Dechert Luxembourg relates to funds matters, whether it be for their operational needs or downstream investment work, as well as increasingly for credit funds as lenders. Jean-Louis Frognet is key to much of this and also handles a significant volume of securitisation mandates. Laura Rossi co-heads the team alongside Frognet and has more of regulatory bent to her practice.

Forming an increasingly core pillar within the firm's global private investment funds offering, Goodwin's 'young and dynamic' team services an impressive roster of private equity, venture capital and credit funds on the Luxembourg aspects of their global needs. Elie-Raphaël Soudry is key to much of this and regularly advises them on their fund financing needs as well as their capital requirements relating to their downstream investment work. Managing partner Alexandrine Armstrong-Cerfontaine co-heads the team alongside Soudry.

Led by Ariane Mehrshahi Marks, Hogan Lovells (Luxembourg) LLP's small but versatile banking and finance team is seamlessly plugged into the firm's wider network, providing Luxembourg law advice across a myriad capital markets, structured finance and restructuring mandates. The team also remains very strong on the real estate finance front and regularly works alongside its colleagues in Germany.

Leveraging 'broad knowledge across all legal and regulatory issues', Norton Rose Fulbright is well-positioned to advise lenders and borrowers across a myriad capital markets and lending transactions, often working alongside practitioners throughout the firm's extensive global network. Stéphane Braun takes the lead on much of the transactional work, including advice on debt and equity capital markets and securitization transactions. Dorothée Ciolino spearheads the regulatory offering and has particular expertise in relation to fintech and payments matters.

Boutique independent business law firm SJL Jimenez Lunz provides 'practical, commercial and responsive' advice to banks and funds across a range of loan and capital markets transactions. Much of the work is of a cross-border nature, with the team building up strong relationships with a number of international law firms which entrust it to advise on the Luxembourg law matters associated with cross-border mandates. The team is co-headed by the 'very reliable and extremely competent' Michel Jimenez Lunz - whose eclectic practice includes real estate finance work - and the 'technically excellent' Antoine Fortier Grethen, who excels at handling fund financings.

Bonn & Schmitt advises lenders (commercial banks and development banks), funds and corporates across a range of new money and refinancing/restructuring mandates. Some of this work takes place within the capital markets where Françoise Pfeiffer regularly advises issuers and underwriters on debt and equity listings. Alex Schmitt co-heads the team alongside Pfeiffer.

Brucher Thieltgen & Partners provides a 'pragmatic approach' to domestic and international banks on the Luxembourg law aspects of financing transactions and operational regulatory matters. Team head Nicolas Thieltgen is 'a trusted lawyer who provides in-depth advice'.

Providing a combined corporate and finance offering, Charles Russell Speechlys provides an holistic service to a borrower-focused client base that includes a number of funds. The 'very personable' Jean-Baptiste Beauvoir-Planson provides 'pragmatic and insightful advice' to clients seeking guidance on offerings and listings of equity and debt instruments in Luxembourg and abroad. Victor Regnard co-heads the team with Beauvoir-Planson.

Led by the 'very attentive and creative' Vincent Linari-Pierron, Linari Law Firm's main focus remains on capital markets matters, particularly in the context of financing and regulatory work associated with complex securitisation structures.

The 'technically competent, constructive and reactive' team at MOLITOR Avocats à la Cour SARL handles new money and refinancing transactions, as well as providing advice on pertinent regulatory issues. Co-headed by Armel Waisse and Michel Molitor, the team is also noted for its litigation expertise in the sector, which it utilises to good effect from a risk management perspective as well as in relation to restructuring work, particularly with regard to the enforceability of Luxembourg security interests.

Drawing upon ‘extensive experience in all types of finance transactions’, Mourant has quickly become a popular choice particularly among referring international law firms to help advise on the Luxembourg aspects of complex international mandates. Recently promoted to partner the ‘knowledgeable and solutions oriented’ Saniyé TIPIRDAMAZ co-heads the team alongside Aldric Grosjean and is highly skilled at advising on fund-related financings, both at an operational level as well as in the context of acquisition finance matters.

Led by the experienced Cédric Raffoul, PwC Legal Luxembourg handles new money and refinancing work for a borrower-focused client base that includes funds and multinational corporates. Raffoul is particularly skilled at handling debt and equity capital markets mandates and has a niche focus advising Brazilian corporates structure their international bond offerings through Luxembourg.

TS&P has garnered a particularly strong reputation among asset management firms, which are appreciative of its ability to provide 'commercially aware and responsive' across its financings at a fund level as well as to facilitate its downstream investments. Torsten Schmitt has 'huge legal knowledge' in the funds industry and heads the team that also includes the 'highly commercial and very responsive' Nicolas Ronzel.