Crowell & Moring is expanding its financial services capabilities in London with the arrival of a highly-regarded derivatives team. The team is recognised for their deep experience advising global investment banks and private equity funds on a range of complex structured finance and derivatives transactions in the U.S., UK, and European markets.
The diverse team consists of partners Jennifer Kafcas and Charles Wakiwaka, and counsel Alvino S. van Schalkwyk and Lauren Blaber.
Jennifer Kafcas and Charles Wakiwaka have more than two decades of combined experience representing major investment banks, corporations, and private equity funds. They focus on a broad range of derivative products, including fixed income, commodities and power hedging, and derivatives, forming an integral part of a leveraged finance, securitisation, or infrastructure project. They also advise financial institutions on complex transactions such as deal contingent trades, Holdco and fund-level hedging strategies, credit derivatives, strategic equity transactions, and bespoke collateral arrangements. They have broad capital markets capabilities in the context of repackagings and structured note issuances. Jennifer and Charles bring strong market intelligence and structuring experience, having handled a considerable volume of deals in the U.S., UK, and European markets.
Speaking of her appointment, Jennifer said: ‘We are so pleased to be joining forces with a firm that is truly committed to collegiality, professionalism, and diversity’.
Charles added that he was drawn to Crowell & Moring because of the ‘strong synergies we have with the lawyers who joined the firm from Kibbe & Orbe, so moving the team was a logical choice’.
Managing partner, Robert Weekes, said ‘The team’s excellent derivatives and structured finance experience is an important addition for our firm and, in particular, the London office, and complements the work that our colleagues who joined us from Kibbe & Orbe are doing in both New York and London’.
Philip T Inglima, chair of Crowell & Moring commented: ‘The team’s reputation and experience in the London and New York markets are of the highest calibre. These lawyers have accomplished an impressive array of successes for clients we share, and in areas that directly parallel our current service offerings. Their arrival significantly enhances the range of services we can offer our clients and is an important part of the continued expansion of our financial services practice and our London office.'
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