Mehrnaz Afshar’s practice focuses on securitisations, receivables finance and bespoke structured financings.

Victoria Bryden focuses on cross-border M&A transactions, private equity and joint ventures.

Helen Penwill focuses on leveraged finance, corporate finance, real estate finance, fund finance and structured finance.

Alongside their practices, all three are active advocates and role models for talent, career development and leadership.

The shortlist can be found on the WeAreTheCity website. The Rising Star Awards highlight the need for greater female representation across different industries and received around 1,300 nominations this year, with the judges narrowing these down to the final shortlist.

The winners will be announced on 28 May and the awards ceremony will be held on 17 July in London.

In 2022, Kelly Knight, a London-based senior associate in Reed Smith's structured finance group, was named in the WeAreTheCity Rising Stars list, winning the Law category (The Lynne Freeman Award).