Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance expands leveraged finance practice with lateral hire Elizabeth Hundt Russell in Australia

Leading international law firm Clifford Chance is strengthening its Australian and global leveraged finance practice with the hire of partner Elizabeth Hundt Russell. The experienced finance specialist will join the firm's Sydney office in late March 2021.

With the hire of Elizabeth the firm further strengthens its regional sponsor-side offering and its position as the pre-eminent adviser on the financing of complex transactions worldwide.

Australian Managing Partner Richard Gordon commented, "Liz is a standout finance expert and her experience advising on complex and wide-ranging leveraged finance transactions will bring great value and insight to our clients and the firm. She brings an impressive record of advising private equity funds, sponsors and corporations as well as local, regional and global financial institutions on a range of complex matters. She will be boosting one of the market-leading leveraged financing teams in the APAC region. We are thrilled to have her join us."

Co-head of the Asia Pacific Corporate practice Andrew Crook added, "Liz's strong relationships and knowledge of the local market will be invaluable as we continue to grow our offering for financial investors. Her stellar record of working with domestic and international sponsors on critical and complex matters will be key as we focus on advising the world's foremost financial investors. Our corporate practice is extremely excited about the opportunity to work alongside such a high calibre finance expert who brings wide-ranging experience and complementary skills to the firm."

Co-head of the Asia Pacific Finance practice Anthony Wang said, "We are excited to welcome Elizabeth to our practice and firm. Her knowledge and enthusiasm will complement our existing offering and, in particular, our leveraged finance capability across the region. Her expertise will keep us at the cutting edge of the global leveraged finance market."

With the appointment of Elizabeth the firm continues to expand its finance platform in Australia. She will work alongside Sydney-based Richard Gordon, who specialises in event-driven finance, and recently appointed partners Mark Gillgren in Perth, who focuses on restructurings, distressed loans and asset-backed finance, and Chad Bochan in Sydney, who focuses on project finance and regulatory work.

Elizabeth joins from King & Wood Mallesons where she was a partner.