Renowned for her counsel on complex trustee matters, Mastin advises bank and independent corporate trustees, agents and companies on a wide variety of capital market transactions, including medium-term notes, equity linked and regulatory capital issues, loan participation notes, high yield bonds, covered bonds, whole business, commercial and residential mortgage-backed securitizations; project bonds and collateralized debt obligations. Additionally, she provides counsel on other forms of structured finance products including secured lending transactions, public-private partnerships / private finance initiatives and renewable deals, and Islamic finance.
Mastin also represents corporate trustees and issuers on post-issue matters, ranging from advising trustees on the exercise of their powers and discretions (including modifications, waivers and substitutions) to advising when an issuer goes into default or goes through a corporate or debt restructuring, which may involve bondholder meetings, consent solicitations, tender offers or exchange offers.
Outside of her practice, Mastin is widely known as an advocate for diversity and representation in the legal profession in the United Kingdom. She currently serves as chair of the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) in England and Wales, editor-in-chief of BSN’s Diversity League Table/Study, and chair and host of the UK Diversity Legal Awards. Furthermore, Mastin has been recognized as a Champion and Executive Sponsor by Business in the Community’s Race for Opportunity Awards; as an Outstanding Woman in Professional Services at the 11th Precious Awards ceremony; as a recipient of the Woman in Law Award at the Women4Africa Awards; and by Brummell Magazine as a City Leader Top 30 Inspirational Women.
“Having worked with many Reed Smith lawyers on corporate trust matters over the years, I have been frequently impressed by the technical ability of this group, the breadth of its trustee relationships, and the firm’s commitment to building out a world-class corporate trust practice,” said Mastin. “There are real synergies here that can be beneficial to our clients, and I look forward to contributing to the growth of our practice.”
Regan, who brings to Reed Smith critical in-house experience from his recent role at Bank of New York Mellon (BNYM), focuses on advising corporate trustees on the full breadth of finance and capital market transactions, including bond transactions, loan participation notes, medium term notes, covered bonds, master trust programmes, securitisations, other forms of structured finance and secured lending transactions. His clients frequently turn to him for post-issuance matters, such as advising trustees on the exercise of their powers and discretions and assisting them on defaulted deals and distressed transactions.
Outside his practice, Regan has had a long involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives, including helping to found the first LGBT network of a UK law firm and acting as Diversity Partner at his previous firm.
“When considering a return to private practice, there were two things I was looking for: first, an international platform for which I could advise trustees and agents with global needs and, secondly, an organizational commitment to build and invest in a corporate trustee capability that complements so many other practices within the firm. It was clear to me that Reed Smith met those criteria and then some, and I am excited to join the firm and pleased to be doing so with Paulette.”
Reed Smith’s corporate trust practice features deep experience in the representation of corporate trustees and agents in all capacities in transactions, litigation and restructuring and insolvency proceedings in the U.S., UK, EU, Asia and Latin America. The market leading group of more than 25 lawyers globally, including nine partners, regularly advises almost all of the global market players in their roles as trustee, agent, security trustee, collateral agent, owner trustee as well as in other corporate services and structured finance capacities.
“Our global corporate trust practice is one of our crown jewels and a real area of differentiation for our global finance practice. The arrival of Paulette and Paul, lawyers with stellar reputations in the market, truly takes us to the next level and cements our market-leading position,” said Panos Katsambas, global co-chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group. “Paulette and Paul will have the latitude to drive their respective practices forward, practices that are complementary to the capabilities of our existing corporate trust team, as well as our global transactional and restructuring practices. We proudly welcome Paulette and Paul to Reed Smith.”
“In Paulette and Paul, we have brought on two lawyers of the highest regard, whose practices are of great importance to our global bank and service provider clients,” said Tamara Box, Reed Smith managing partner for Europe, the Middle East, and Asia and part of the firm’s global corporate trust practice. “The addition of these excellent leaders reaffirm Reed Smith’s commitment to being the firm of choice for all of our trust and agency provider clients seeking counsel on their global financing and capital markets transactions.”
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. With an inclusive culture and innovative mindset, we deliver smarter, more creative legal services that drive better outcomes for our clients. Our deep industry knowledge, long-standing relationships and collaborative structure make us the go-to partner for complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For more information, please visit www.reedsmith.com.
