Global law firm Reed Smith has announced the appointment of leveraged finance partner Ben Davis to its UK finance practice.

Ben, previously at Travers Smith, will join the firm’s London office on 18 March.
Ben’s practice focuses primarily on leveraged finance; he also advises on corporate facilities, refinancings, debt restructurings and general banking matters. His clients have included private equity sponsors, corporate borrowers, financial institutions and alternative lenders.

His recent representations include a number of debt funds and alternative lenders participating in the leveraged finance market (involving senior, unitranche, mezzanine and PIK facilities). Ben will draw on Reed Smith’s full-service capability in London, including strong corporate, private equity, tax and regulatory teams. The London finance team, part of the firm’s global financial industry group, regularly represents banks, sponsors, alternative lenders and corporations. More broadly, the firm’s finance practice is a major player in the US and has strong offerings in France, Germany, the Middle East, as well as across the Asian markets.

Reed Smith has made significant strides in recent years to grow its global and Europe, Middle East and Asia finance practice, an ongoing strategic priority. In 2012, the firm launched its structured finance practice with the arrival of partner and head of structured finance Tamara Box, who now heads up a 25-strong team of lawyers based in London. 2012 also saw the launch of the firm’s Europe and Middle East private equity group with the arrival of partner and head of EME private equity Perry Yam.

Transactions on which the team has recently advised include:

• Representing Siemens plc, Siemens Financial Services and Siemens AG in the completion of the £1.6 billion Thameslink transaction. The largest contract ever awarded to Siemens plc.
• Advising CBPE Capital on its £100 million acquisition of award-winning restaurant group Côte Restaurants.
• Advising ICICI Bank UK PLC as Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner on its syndicated loan facility to Hope Construction Materials Limited, a portfolio company of Mittal Investments.

Nola Beirne, vice chair of Reed Smith’s financial industry group for EME, commented:

“Ben’s arrival will ensure we continue to be closely aligned with the needs of our clients. He is very well regarded in the market and will complement our growing EMEA and US finance practice, as well as support the continued development of our UK and pan-European private equity practice.’’

Ben Davis commented:

“Reed Smith’s investment in its London financial industry group is clear: the team has grown by 60% in the last three years. The firm’s global platform provides me with a new and exciting challenge, where I can continue to develop my leveraged finance practice.”

ENDS

Note to Editors:

About Reed Smith’s financial industry group

Reed Smith’s global financial industry group has more than 250 lawyers based in 25 offices advising on all aspects of finance transactions, including leveraged buyouts, structured finance transactions, asset-based lending transactions, real estate transactions, structured trade and commodity transactions, derivatives as well as workouts, restructurings, debtor-in-possession financings and exit financings; additionally, the team provides regulatory advice and guidance to financial institution and alternative lender clients across the globe. The fully integrated practice is uniquely positioned to advise on cross-border and European deals requiring US, English and/or local law capabilities.

About Reed Smith

Reed Smith is a global law firm with 25 offices and more than 1,800 lawyers in offices across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the United States.

For further information, please visit www.reedsmith.com or contact Jeyda Star (Senior PR & Communications Manager EME) on +44 (0)20 3116 2571.