Within a week of hiring high-yield partner Jonathan Bloom from Ropes & Gray, Jones Day has expanded its securitisation capability in London with former Clifford Chance (CC) partner Neil Hamilton joining the firm.
Hamilton joins the capital markets practice from Paul Hastings, where he focused on securitisation and structured finance, with a particular emphasis on collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) and related structured products. Before this, he was a partner at CC for 12 years.
Hamilton has advised banks and financial institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank while other clients have included New Amsterdam Capital, Babson Capital Europe, and 3i Debt Management. He has also represented credit managers and hedge funds on portfolio acquisitions and disposals, the establishment of debt funds and direct lending platforms, and asset restructuring and workouts.
Edward Nalbantian, co-leader of Jones Day’s global banking and finance practice said: ‘Neil brings with him a wealth of experience that will add further strength to our debt capital markets and finance offering to clients in London and the rest of Europe. As the global financial markets finally recover, securitisation is increasingly being used to ensure that credit remains available.’
Jones Day’s most recent recruit further heightens the firm’s aim to significantly grow its footprint in London. Last year the firm made 50 lateral hires across its offices.
Jones Day partner-in-charge John Phillips confirmed that further lateral hires are in the pipeline and that the firm will continue to bring in finance lawyers on the back of the financial markets picking up this year.
Jones Day’s capital markets partner Drew Salvest added: ‘Enhanced securitisation capability is key to the ongoing growth of our debt capital markets business and the appointment of Neil Hamilton now brings exceptional senior securitization experience to the team.’
jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk