Equity capital markets & equity linked products

Seamless and integrated advice on domestic and international equity and equity-linked offerings.

When it comes to an equity offering or an equity-linked offering, a legal advisory team needs to be able to combine securities law expertise with industry sector and practice-specific advice. Whether it's a domestic or international offering, Clifford Chance has substantial experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams and can draw on tax, regulatory, employment/incentives and other areas of expertise as required, calling on the experience of our sector teams. The unparalleled resources of Clifford Chance can deploy quickly to minimise the impact of any unforeseen events.

In advising on an IPO or the ability to access investors in one of the major capital markets of the world or the formalities of raising capital in a secondary offer of securities, our corporate and equity capital markets lawyers are able to provide cutting edge advice and execution.

We understand the commercial context as well as the legal challenges involved. An IPO or secondary offering can be a time consuming exercise and careful planning is required to ensure that the key milestones are achieved. Clifford Chance helps issuers with this planning and tailors its service to provide the appropriate level of support at all stages of the process. We also advise financial institutions in their capabilities as global lead manages or sponsors. Our lawyers are familiar with the issues that these organisations face and are able to coordinate resources effectively to deliver the appropriate legal advice in a tight time frame.

Our global reach enables us to advise on international offerings of shares and depositary receipts and interests and equity-linked instruments listed on the major exchanges in Europe, the US and Asia. We are ideally placed to advise issuers and market participants on the legal, regulatory and practical aspects of executing cross-border equity and equity-linked capital markets transactions and the firm's experience in working with local stock exchange and regulatory bodies ensures that local legal requirements are complied with. Our significant US capability across Europe and the US means that we are well positioned to advise on transactions with a US element.

Our experts also regularly advise on matters arising out of continuing regulatory securities compliance requirements. In public market facing matters, it is essential that listed companies, investors and financial institutions in their various capacities have access to the most cutting edge thinking and experience and our corporate and equity capital markets lawyers provide this expertise.

Our equity-linked practice also has a strong record of innovative solutions and a seamless integration with other leading practice areas including tax, derivatives and islamic finance. 

Accordingly, our clients include some of the world's most sophisticated companies, investment banks, securities markets, underwriters, hedge funds, insurance companies, private equity houses and fund managers.

We continue to be recognised for our transactional capabilities by working on a number of high profile deals.