Structured finance partner joins financial markets and products team
European law firm Fieldfisher has announced today the appointment of Peter Knust as a partner in its Financial Markets and Products (FMP) Group in London.
Peter advises corporate trust and corporate service provider clients on the origination of a wide range of finance transactions, as well as on post-closing amendments, restructurings, and contentious issues which may arise on finance transactions. He trained at Norton Rose (now Norton Rose Fulbright), before moving to Clifford Chance and then to Berwin Leighton Paisner (now BCLP).
Fieldfisher's highly successful Financial Markets and Products practice focuses on derivatives, structured finance, financial regulation, funds, banking and real estate finance, with over 40 partners across Europe, advising clients on cross-border deals across the world, including in emerging markets. Over the last year, FMP has advised on the LIBOR transition restructurings of over 40 tough legacy securitisations with an aggregate value of approximately £20 billion.
Peter's arrival strengthens Fieldfisher's structured finance and securitisation team within the FMP practice. The trustee, issuer and servicing practice now comprises three partners, making Fieldfisher one of the main providers of legal services in that sector. Peter joins Alex Campbell, head of the team, and partner Marsili Hale who specialises in servicing.
Co-head of the FMP practice Guy Usher said: 'Peter is a key hire for the FMP group, particularly with the consolidation currently taking place in both the legal and client market, and with more restructurings and disputes on the horizon. He will help grow and develop the wider structured finance and securitisation group and is a perfect addition to our team. We are seeing a number of changes in law firms servicing this area which is core to our practice. We will certainly be keeping an eye on further opportunities like this in 2023.'
Head of the trustee, issuer and servicing team Alex Campbell added: 'Peter has advised on securitisation and structured finance transactions for many years and is highly regarded in the sector. We are delighted that he is joining the team and we look forward to continuing to build the trustee, issuer and servicing practice with him.'
Peter Knust said: 'I am really pleased to join Fieldfisher's highly rated structured finance team. This expanded team along with relevant expertise across the firm provides an ideal platform to support and assist corporate trust and corporate service provider clients.'
