Linklaters LLP

Combining ‘technical skill and a strong understanding of the market’, Linklaters LLP provides ’practical and commercial advice’ to investment-grade borrowers and lenders across a range of corporate and structured lending. Acting on its own as well as regularly alongside practitioners in other key global offices, the team excels in handling big-ticket and often highly structured cross-border transactions. Toby Grimstone has strong visibility among creditors and debtors, which are appreciative of his versatile offering, including on corporate lending, trade finance, and public M&A financing matters. Grimstone recently advised the underwriting banks on the bridge financing to help facilitate BAE Systems plc’s $5.55bn acquisition of Ball Aerospace from Ball Corporation. Ian Callaghan also has public M&A financing expertise, as well as a strong lender practice that leans heavily towards margin lending and fund financings. James Martin, who is praised for his ‘ability to get the point through in a succinct and simple way’, has a versatile offering for banks and corporates, including on deals with a Middle Eastern nexus – where clients also benefit from his insight into Islamic finance structures. ’Technically excellent yet highly commercial’, Caroline Courtney excels in advising corporates and lenders on syndicated lending matters, including on event-driven transactions such as M&A and IPO-related financings. Of the more junior practitioners, Sam Mahboubian has excellent traction among banks and large corporates, advising them on a myriad of new money and distressed transactions, while senior associate Atish Shah continues to impress on crossover credit and investment grade financings. Oliver Edwards co-heads the corporate lending and structured finance offering alongside Grimstone. Peter Hayes joined in May 2025 from Paul Hastings LLP.