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Clifford Chance US LLP welcomes Carter L. Olson in Houston, strengthening its US finance and derivatives capabilities

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Olson's practice focuses on secured and unsecured finance matters, representing borrowers, end-users, lenders, private equity sponsors and portfolio companies in a variety of complex debt financings and derivative products. His experience includes project finance, general syndicated finance, reserve-based and other asset-based revolving loans in a variety of sectors, including maritime, oilfield services, upstream and midstream oil and gas, renewables and power generation.

Partner and Co-Head of the firm's Global Financial Markets practice in the Americas Lee Askenazi says, "We look forward to Carter joining the team. His arrival supports our continued growth in the private credit and finance space and reflects our focus on investing in talent with a proven track record in sophisticated, novel financing transactions. Carter's experience across derivatives and structured finance further strengthens our ability to deliver innovative structures and solutions in response to increasing client demand across the private credit market."

Houston Office Managing Partner Alex Wilde says, "Carter's addition builds on the strong momentum of our Houston office as we continue to expand our capabilities, including strengthening energy finance capabilities to support clients in the US and globally."

Olson says, "I'm excited to join Clifford Chance and collaborate with this talented team that has built such a highly regarded reputation. I look forward to working with everyone to further our offering in derivatives and energy-related structured finance."

Olson’s arrival underscores the firm’s continued growth in Houston this year, strengthening its energy derivatives capabilities and building on the expansion of its litigation and arbitration offering following the additions of J. Laurens Wilkes and Caitlin Gernert in May.

The Americas region is a core part of Clifford Chance’s global platform and an important focus of the firm’s strategic investment. With more than 450 attorneys across New York, Washington, DC, Houston and São Paulo, the firm combines deep local market knowledge with the reach of a fully integrated global partnership. The Americas team advises clients on complex US, Latin America and cross-border transactional, regulatory and disputes matters across key sectors including private capital and financial services, healthcare and life science, technology, infrastructure, and energy.

Clifford Chance advises easyJet on the possible takeover offer by Castlelake

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:03:00 GMT

The Clifford Chance team is led by Melissa Fogarty and James Bole.

Press contact: Chanelle Mutawe

Clifford Chance advises Pollen Street on its acquisition of Universal Banking, Finastra’s core banking solution division

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:03:00 GMT

The team advising Pollen Street Capital was co-led by partners Graham Phillips (Private Equity) and Ashley Prebble (Financial Institutions Group) with support from partner Zayed Al-Jamil (Tech/Digital) and senior associates Artem Paoutov, Fergus Grady and Orsolya Gondos.

Clifford Chance advises on €1.2 billion financing of the Kınalı-Malkara motorway extension in Türkiye

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 07:03:00 GMT

The motorway extension represents further investment in one of Türkiye's key transport corridors and is expected to enhance connectivity between Istanbul and the Marmara and Aegean regions. It builds on the existing operational Malkara-Çanakkale section of the Kınalı-Tekirdaǧ-Çanakkale-Savaştepe motorway – including the 1915 Çanakkale Bridge, which has the longest main span of any suspension bridge globally.

The project company is Çanakkale Otoyol ve Köprüsü İnşaat Yatırım ve İşletme A.Ş., and the sponsor is Limak İnşaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş.

Financing was provided by Turkish and international financial institutions, with credit support from Korean and European export credit agencies, including K-EXIM, K-SURE, SACE and EKN, as well as ICIEC.

Partners Nicholas Wong, Sait Eryılmaz and Mel Chan led a multi-jurisdictional team across Dubai, Istanbul, Singapore, Tokyo, London, Rome and Munich. The team advised on:

Overall financing: counsel Başar Kırka, senior associates Marco Wong and Lucy Roberts, alongside partner Hans Menski and associates John Edmunds, Jacie Lim, Berke Avarkan, Aykan Karpuzcu, Melisa Mengü, Alper Eski and trainee Işıl Acar.
Islamic financing and ICIEC: partner Qudeer Latif, senior associate Ibrahim Hassan and associates Marius Fritz and Philippe Mattoo.
SACE insurance: counsel Filippo Tassoni and senior associate Giuseppe Chiaula.
Construction, operation and maintenance arrangements: partner Sandy Hall and counsel Philippe Baert.
Hedging: partner Timothy Cleary and counsel Gregory Chartier.

The transaction highlights Clifford Chance's strength in cross-border project finance, export credit agency-backed financing and Islamic finance, as well as its longstanding experience on complex infrastructure projects in Türkiye and across the wider region.

Media contact: Madhu Mirpuri

Clifford Chance advises Danantara Indonesia on US$1.5 billion debut international bond issuance

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 04:46:00 GMT

This is the issuer's first international bond offering and marks a milestone in establishing its presence in global capital markets. Proceeds are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including investments and refinancing existing debt.

Lead partner Gareth Deiner said: “This successful debut reflects sustained investor demand for high-quality sovereign-linked issuers from Southeast Asia, even amid a challenging and unpredictable macroeconomic backdrop. Danantara Investment Management plays a key role in Indonesia’s sovereign wealth and long-term capital deployment strategy. The structure of the offering enabled access to deep US institutional liquidity alongside global investor demand."

The successful execution of this transaction highlights Clifford Chance's strong US securities capability and seamless cross-border capital markets coverage across Asia and the United States. The deal team involved partners Gareth Deiner and Alan Yeung, counsel Stephanie Liman and associate Jun Kai Choo.

Additional support was provided by:

40 Act: partner Jeffrey LeMaster and associate Dennis Morrisroe
US tax: partner Avrohom Gelber, and associate Gil Shauly
ERISA: partner Paul Koppel and associate Ivona Dimov.

This transaction builds on Clifford Chance’s strong track record advising on Indonesia sovereign and sovereign-linked bond issuances, including PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara’s US$1.5 billion bond issuance and the Republic of Indonesia’s multi-tranche global bond offerings.

Media contact: Madhu Mirpuri

Clifford Chance is advising Malaga Investment SCSp on its voluntary and conditional public takeover bid in cash for all outstanding shares of What’s Cooking Group NV.

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:43:00 GMT

Malaga Investment SCSp is an entity controlled by the Daniël Coopman family and Mr Eddy Van der Pluym, the long-standing reference shareholders of What’s Cooking Group NV. The transaction forms part of the client’s strategy to strengthen its shareholding in What’s Cooking Group NV and, if the bid is successful, to potentially delist the company through a simplified squeeze-out.

Clifford Chance advised on the structuring of the bid, including the use of a Luxembourg SCSp as the bid vehicle, as well as the financing of the bid and preparation of the bid prospectus and the FSMA approval process. We also supported the client on shareholder engagement to obtain tender commitments and managed the bid process.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner Patrice Viaene (partner) and Gauthier Peemans (associate), with support from Niek De Pauw (partner), Gillis Waelkens (partner), Alexandre Ooms (partner), senior counsel Wim Aerts, counsel Thomas Linard de Guertechin and associates Yonathan Tison, Sherine Denisse and and Magaly El-Hallal.

For more information on the takeover bid, please refer to the press releases available on the website of What's Cooking Group NV: https://whatscooking.group/en/press-releases-and-publications/voluntary-and-conditional-public-takeover-bid

Press Contact : Marion Meunier

Clifford Chance advises Morgan Stanley Investment Management and Ridgeback Group on the acquisition of Private Rented Sector business from London & Quadrant

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:24:00 GMT

The transaction includes a portfolio of approximately 3,200 homes across Greater London, as well as its fully integrated operating platform, team and £300 million of external debt facilities.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner Franc Peña supported by director Alice Raine, senior real estate counsel Sarah Thomas and senior associate Manuel Ponces Magalhães. Tax advice was provided by partner David Saleh and director Paul Harrington. Partner Barry O'Shea supported by Director Anisa Dudhia and associate Cicely Kilgarrif advised on the financing elements.

For more information, please click here: Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing Acquires Metra Living from L&Q in Partnership with Ridgeback Group for £1.045 Billion

Press Contact: Emma Cessford

Clifford Chance hosts seminar on safeguarding Chinese investment in Europe

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:09:00 GMT

The seminar focused on the legal and governance challenges that may arise after an investment has been completed, against a backdrop of increased scrutiny of Chinese-invested businesses in Europe. Clifford Chance shared its experience advising investors where control over invested companies has been challenged or weakened. The discussion also covered legal and governance measures to protect investment value, shareholder rights and effective oversight.

Participants exchanged views on strengthening corporate governance frameworks, enhancing risk management and supporting the long-term resilience of invested businesses.

The seminar was led by Yong Bai and Ziwen Wang from China, Xiang Li from Shanghai He Ping Law Firm* and Christian Kremer and Yi Wang from Luxembourg.

The event provided a platform for dialogue between legal and financial professionals. It also highlighted the importance of close cooperation between investors, financial institutions and legal advisers to support sustainable investment and future capital flows between China and Europe.

*Clifford Chance LLP and Shanghai He Ping Law Firm have established a Joint Operation in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone under the name Clifford Chance LLP and Shanghai He Ping Law Firm (FTZ) Joint Operation Office with the approval of the Shanghai Bureau of Justice.

Press Contact: Natalia Ibáñez Guinea

Clifford Chance advises banking syndicate on €375 million exchangeable bond issuance of RAG-Stiftung

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 12:03:00 GMT

RAG-Stiftung, which holds approximately 44% of the registered shares of Evonik Industries AG, launched the offering on 9 June 2026. The bonds were issued at par, bear interest at a rate of 1.45% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrear and will, unless previously exchanged, redeemed or repurchased and cancelled, be redeemed at par at maturity in December 2031. Upon redemption at maturity, the issuer may elect to settle all or part of the redemption value in shares. The bonds were offered by way of an accelerated bookbuilding to institutional investors outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner George Hacket, supported by partners Cristina Freudenberger and Axel Wittmann and counsels Andrei Manea and Henrik Gildehaus (all Capital Markets, Frankfurt) with further support from partner Olaf Mertgen and counsel Steffen Waadt (both Tax, Frankfurt).

Press Contact: Lisa Trager

Clifford Chance advises on JPY250 billion convertible bond offering by JX Advanced Metals

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 08:50:00 GMT

JX Advanced Metals is a Tokyo-listed advanced materials company focused on semiconductor and ICT industries. The transaction represents a highly strategic and complex financing, combining a large-scale convertible bond issuance with a concurrent tender offer for up to approximately 6% of its issued shares. Proceeds from the bonds are intended to fund the share repurchase and support the expansion of its major manufacturing capabilities.

Lead partner, Reiko Sakimura, said: “This transaction demonstrates the continued strength and sophistication of the Japanese equity-linked market, particularly for issuers pursuing strategic capital restructuring alongside growth investment. We are seeing sustained investor appetite for well-structured convertible offerings, especially those linked to clear capital management objectives and long-term growth strategies. We are delighted to have supported the bookrunners on this landmark and innovative transaction.”

Reiko Sakimura was supported by partner Matthew Ball, as well as Arisa Stanley-Owusu and Rei Kamachi. Partner Alan Yeung assisted on US law aspects.

Clifford Chance has extensive experience advising on complex and cross-border equity-linked and debt and equity capital markets transactions across Asia Pacific, including innovative structures combining financing and capital restructuring elements.

Media contact: Madhu Mirpuri

Clifford Chance advises on approximately US$1.08 billion notes issuance by DC 1 and PAR-DOM, subsidiaries of Casa dos Ventos S.A.

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 15:37:22 GMT

The transaction comprised (i) the issuance by DC 1 of senior guaranteed notes due 2050 for an aggregate principal amount of US$825 million, and (ii) the issuance by PAR-DOM of senior guaranteed notes 2042 for an aggregate principal amount of US$252 million (together the "Notes").

DC 1 and PAR-DOM are subsidiaries of Casa Dos Ventos S.A., a Brazilian renewable energy generation company.

The proceeds from the Notes will be used to partially fund the development and construction of renewable energy generation assets located in the Brazilian states of Piauí, Ceará and Mato Grosso do Sul that are intended to provide power for data center operations.

The Notes were sold to investors in reliance of the exemption from registration provided in Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and, with respect to sales outside the United States, in reliance upon the exemption from registration provided in Regulation S under the Securities Act.

The cross-border team was led by partners Mariana Estévez (New York) and Anja Pfleger Andrade (Clifford Chance Sociedade, São Paulo), with support from associate Cristian Ragucci and trainee solicitor Martina Ghinetti (São Paulo). The wider team included:

Tax: Partner Avrohom Gelber (New York) and associate Kade Moural (Houston)
Finance and Capital Markets: Partners Cédric Burford and Auriane Bijon, counsel Olivier Plessis, and legal trainee Juliette Tyl (Paris)

Clifford Chance advises Mapfre on a liability management exercise over Tier 2 notes and on a new Tier 2 notes issuance for an amount of EUR 500 million

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 11:36:00 GMT

The deal allows Mapfre to efficiently manage its solvency base and optimise its debt profile and liquidity position.

The Clifford Chance team that advised on the transaction was led by Francisco Pizarro and included associates Enrique Pais and Alejandro Gómez-Coronado.

This deal reinforces Clifford Chance's position as the firm of reference for regulatory capital deals in the insurance industry.

For more information on the deal, click here.

Press contact: Ingrid Cabrera

Energy transition: Clifford Chance advises lenders on financing for landmark battery storage project in Germany with a capacity exceeding 700 MWh

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 08:00:00 GMT

The project is considered one of the most significant energy storage projects of Germany’s energy transition. Large-scale battery storage systems such as this are considered essential for balancing grid fluctuations and storing surplus renewable energy, thereby supporting the stability and sustainability of the energy supply.

The "Eco Power Three" project will deliver a battery storage facility with a planned output of 300 megawatts (MW) and a capacity exceeding 700 megawatt hours (MWh). Upon completion, the facility will be capable of supplying up to 500,000 households with electricity for approximately two hours. The project is structured into three independently operable blocks, allowing for a phased commissioning, with the first units expected to be connected to the grid in the second half of 2026.

“The financing of battery storage projects of this scale requires the close integration of project finance, energy and regulatory expertise. Our German and international team brings all of this together in a seamless offering, setting benchmarks in advising our clients on some of the most significant projects driving the energy transition,” says Florian Mahler, partner and Co-Head of Clifford Chance’s Worldwide Projects Group.

"Large-scale battery storage projects like 'Eco Power Three' are a key enabler of Europe’s energy transition. By advising on this project, we are once again emphasising our strategic focus on the energy transition sector and – at the same time – demonstrating our strong market position in this future-facing sector in Germany and globally", comments partner Bahar Rahimyar.

The Clifford Chance team comprised partners Florian Mahler and Bahar Rahimyar (both Project Development & Finance, Düsseldorf), with senior associate Brianna Harcus and senior transaction lawyer Rima Lenders, and associate Maximilian Schroff (all Project Development & Finance, Düsseldorf). Project due diligence was led by of counsel Björn Heinlein, supported by senior associate Marie Georgi and associate Benedikt Behlert (all Corporate/Energy, Düsseldorf). Hedging advice was provided by partner David Neu and senior associate Christopher Banks (both Debt Finance, Munich), tax advice was given by partner Dominik Engl and counsel Claus‑Peter Knöller (both Tax, Frankfurt) and corporate due diligence was conducted by partner Tobias Nogami Kamerling and associate Yannik Trauschold (both Corporate/Energy, Düsseldorf).

Press contact: Lisa Trager

Clifford Chance advises The Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited on HK$12 billion inaugural public digital bond issuance

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 02:49:00 GMT

The transaction marks the largest-ever digital bond issuance globally to date and a significant milestone, as the first public sector entity in Hong Kong to issue digital bonds. The 5-year Hong Kong-dollar tranche also represents the longest tenor ever for a HKD digital bond to date, setting a new benchmark in the local market.

Lead partner Mark Chan said, “This transaction highlights the continued evolution of Hong Kong’s debt capital markets, with growing momentum behind digital and tokenised bond issuances as issuers and investors seek greater efficiency, transparency and settlement optimisation.”

Mark Chan led the transaction with support from counsel Torrance Shi, senior associate Christine Chan and trainee solicitor Oliver Lai.

Clifford Chance is a pioneer in the digital bonds and tokenised securities space, having advised on many of the earliest and most influential digital bond issuances globally. These include advising on Hong Kong’s first digital bond by a corporate issuer, Eurozone's first sovereign digital bond issuance, the world’s first digital “gender bond” and the first digital bond denominated in UAE dirhams.

Media contact: Madhu Mirpuri

Clifford Chance advises Amundi-managed fund on sale of Hamburg city-centre property

Mon, 15 Jun 2026 09:41:00 GMT

Situated in a prime inner-city location close to Hamburg City Hall, the mixed-use property offers approximately 4,300 square metres of lettable space, primarily used for office and retail purposes. The building’s central location, established structure, and versatile usage possibilities provide an attractive basis for long-term asset management. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price.

The Clifford Chance team was led by partner Kristina Jaeger and further comprised counsel Jonathan Klein, associate Robin Rebecca Molitor and senior transaction lawyer Birgit Seyfert (all Real Estate, Frankfurt) as well as partner Olaf Mertgen, counsel Steffen Waadt and senior associate Cornelius Klinger (all Tax, Frankfurt).

Press contact: Lisa Trager

Clifford Chance advises Wafra on acquisition of Navitas Credit Corp.

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 20:03:30 GMT

Navitas provides financing equipment solutions for small and mid-sized businesses. The company will continue to be led by its current management team following completion of the transaction.

Clifford Chance advised on the fund investment and structuring aspects of the deal. The team included partners Jon Newman, Chris Phillips-Hart and Michael Seaton, associate Milica Pavlovic, attorney Joey Salama and law clerk Varsha Kanitkar.

Clifford Chance advises Masdar on the acquisition of a 49.99% stake in a €849 million Spanish renewable portfolio from Repsol

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 11:26:00 GMT

The Clifford Chance team was led by corporate/M&A partners Pablo Murcia and Luis Alonso, with the support of senior associate Juan Valcárcel and members of the team Beatriz Pérez, Conrado López, Juan Antonio Peces and Jaime Sánchez. Other Clifford Chance lawyers involved included José Guardo, Pablo Cancelo, José Luis Zamarro, Julia Hernández, Andrés Berral, Miguel de Santos, Roberto Grau and Ignacio Baz.

Press contact: Gonzalo Trueba

Clifford Chance advises TPG-backed Infomedia on acquisition of Veact

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:21:00 GMT

The acquisition underscores Infomedia’s strategy to broaden its global footprint through expanding its aftersales ecosystem in Europe. It also allows for Infomedia and Veact to unlock the full value of its data assets, delivering a more connected, end-to-end platform that enables original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and dealer networks to better manage the entire vehicle ownership lifecycle.

Infomedia is an Australia-based leading global provider of DaaS and SaaS solutions that empowers the data-driven automotive ecosystem. Its solutions help OEMs, dealerships and third-party partners manage the vehicle and customer lifecycle. The company was taken private by leading global alternative asset manager TPG in August 2025.

Based in Munich, Veact offers data-driven solutions to some of the world’s leading automotive brands, working with more than 1,000 dealership sites across the EMEA region and partnering with many of the world’s leading OEMs.

The cross-border Clifford Chance team advising Infomedia on this transaction was led by partners Jacob Kahwaji (Corporate/Private Equity, Sydney) and Thomas Krecek (Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt) and further comprised senior associate Friedrich von Bülow, associates Helge Brück and Frederic Hölscher (all Corporate/M&A, Frankfurt), counsel Tobias Born and associate Stephanie Giek (both Tech/Digital, Frankfurt), counsel Claus-Peter Knöller (Tax, Frankfurt), partner Christopher Fischer and associate Anna-Celine Brill (both Employment, Frankfurt) as well as counsel Nicolas Hohn-Hein (IP, Düsseldorf).

Press contact: Lisa Trager

Clifford Chance advises the underwriters on Avolta AG's high-yield bond offering and concurrent tender offer

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:18:31 GMT

Avolta (previously known as Dufry) is a leading global travel experience player in the travel retail and F&B industry, with operations in 70 countries on six continents. Clifford Chance also advised on the issuance of Avolta's Senior Notes due 2027, 2031 and 2032.

The proceeds of the offering will be used to partially repay its Senior Notes due 2027. Concurrently with this Offering, Avolta has successfully completed a Tender Offer to purchase up to EUR 400 million aggregate principal amount of such notes and expects to use the net proceeds of this Offering to purchase notes tendered in the Tender Offer. Any net proceeds not deployed in the Tender Offer are expected to be used to repay any Senior Notes due 2027 at maturity.

The Clifford Chance team advising on the bond issuance and tender offer was led by London High Yield partner, Michael Dakin, senior associate Yash Ranade, law clerk Saherish Surani and summer law clerk Milla Costa. London DCM partner Paul Deakins advised on English law matters on the tender offer.

Press Contact: Chanelle Mutawe

Clifford Chance advises the joint global coordinators on The Co-operative Group’s sustainable refinancing

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 08:25:36 GMT

Clifford Chance’s team advising the banks was led by partner Drew Rundus, with associate Trey Oxendine and law clerk Rory Farquharson. Partner Bruce Kahl and senior associate Andy Whelan separately advised the trustee on the transaction.

Press contact: Emma Cessford