European Restructuring
Related:
Notable Representations, Key Contacts
European Restructuring Overview
“Regularly involved in precedent-setting matters”
Chambers and Partners
“Undertaking some of the most high-profile international restructurings of recent times. A full-service, partner-led offering acting for clients from all areas of the market and advising on the full spectrum of big-ticket matters”
Chambers and Partners
“The team always provide high quality advice and support for their clients, which focuses on designing innovative solutions and actively managing their delivery”
Chambers and Partners
We specialise in helping our clients navigate complex multi-jurisdictional restructurings and insolvencies, to preserve and enhance value.
Our integrated European Restructuring practice is a key part of our global group of over 100 dedicated restructuring lawyers, including a significant number recognised as leaders in their field.
The largest, most complex and most important restructuring matters in history have required a truly international firm which can handle all aspects of the restructuring process across Europe, the US, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
Weil is a recognised leader in this area, with our deep bench of specialist resources. We have been described by the leading legal directories as the “gold standard” of bankruptcy practices, "the crème de la crème of the restructuring market" and as a “restructuring powerhouse”.
Many firms may claim to offer an international service, but our fully integrated global platform means that we can marshal resources quickly and efficiently to provide sound strategic, commercial, and legal solutions in time-sensitive situations.
Our work on the European aspects of some of the most notable European restructurings of recent times (including (SAS, Nordic Aviation Capital, Doncasters, KCA Deutag, OHL, Premier Oil, Rallye Group Casino, Seadrill, Syncreon and Vallourec) demonstrates our ability to master domestic and pan-European issues to untangle incredibly complex businesses.
We regularly act for a wide range of stakeholders including debtors, creditors, creditor committees, sophisticated distressed investors, private equity sponsors, boards of directors, and insolvency practitioners. Our diverse expertise encompasses debt restructuring, distressed M&A, insolvency litigation, contingency planning, formal insolvency procedures and distressed investing. Our clients benefit from our wide-ranging industry experience in a variety of sectors including financial services, manufacturing, energy and retail.
In addition to our international reach, our strength also lies in our ability to innovate. We work collaboratively with clients to develop and implement novel, tailor-made restructuring solutions and products, including the quarterly release of The Weil European Distress Index, a study that aggregates data from listed companies and market indicators to show a measure of distress being experienced by European corporates.
For any distressed situation, Weil is the go-to firm. From debtors to creditors to investors, Weil’s European Restructuring practice is unparalleled in experience, client service, and results.
European Track Record
“We consider the Weil team’s restructuring practice as one of the go-to firms for complex multi-jurisdictional restructuring assignments”
Chambers and Partners
Key Representations
Company
Weil’s company-side platform is unrivalled. Our approach is to achieve an expeditious and economical restructuring that maximises value for stakeholders with minimal dislocation to business operations, employees, and customer and vendor relationships. Weil leverages top tier expertise in banking and structured finance, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, corporate governance, competition, employment, pensions and tax law, enabling us to guide clients through the often complex restructuring process. These may, for example, include complex cross-border distressed loan workouts, swaps, asset sales, and litigation.
- Alma
- AMC Entertainment / Odeon
- Bourbon
- Camaïeu
- CGG
- Claire's Stores
- Doncasters
- Dream Cruises
- Endeavour International Corporation
- Floatel
- Folli Follie
- Foraco
- Mobilux
- Necotrans
- Orapi
- Paragon Offshore
- Rallye Groupe Casino
- Skillsoft
- Sonia Rykiel
- Syncreon Group B.V.
- Vallourec
- Westinghouse
Creditors
Weil advises most major national and international lenders and bondholders, including secured lenders, unsecured creditors, agents, official committees of creditors, ad hoc groups of creditors, and other parties in interest.
- Abengoa
- Argentina
- Borr Drilling
- Coresteel
- Dana Gas
- DIA
- Digicel
- Edcon
- EnQuest
- Ferroglobe
- Flint
- General Healthcare Group (GHG)
- KCA Deutag
- MBIA+Ambac
- NAC (Nordic Aviation Capital)
- NMC Health
- OHL
- Presstalis
- Seadrill
- SoLocal
- Stemcor
- Ukraine
- Vivarte
- Zambia
Sponsor
Our top tier European Restructuring and Private Equity practice groups work together seamlessly on behalf of private equity firms and portfolio companies. We are regularly involved in some of the largest, most high-profile and complex private equity-related transactions, including refinancings and recapitalisations.
- A.T.U. Auto-Teile-Unger GmbH
- Ad van Geloven
- AHBR
- Almatis
- Arair
- Ascoval
- Bartec
- Carbone Savoie
- CityPoint
- Dwell
- Famar
- Findus Foods
- IVG Immobilien AG
- MALÉV
- NextiraOne France
- Pfleiderer AG
- Premier Oil
- Towergate
NPLs
Our Restructuring team works in close collaboration with our market-leading Structured Finance and Corporate teams to advise on non-performing loan transactions, including innovative structuring and portfolio sales.
- KKR Credit
- Other major global funds
Formal Insolvencies
With unrivalled experience built through having advised Lehman on all non-US issues relating to its historic bankruptcy filing in the US in 2008, and KPMG, as Special Administrator, on MF Global UK’s special administration, the largest European collapse since Lehman, Weil is a clear market leader in advising on formal insolvencies.
- Abraaj Group
- Altia
- Arjowiggins
- BAICO (Barbados)
- BHS
- CHC Group
- Endeavour Energy
- Kaupthing Bank
- La Senza
- Lehman Brothers
- MF Global UK
- Paragon
- Pixmania
Multidisciplinary Approach
“The team has an excellent understanding of the issues in restructuring in complex scenarios involving multiple parties and jurisdictions… aided by its ability to harness the expertise of finance lawyers with knowledge throughout the capital structure (including both UK and US-law governed debt) and the flexibility to execute matters using both UK and US insolvency procedures”
Legal 500 UK
Our Restructuring team provides clients with full-service solutions on restructuring matters. We leverage the top tier expertise available within the Firm including banking and finance, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, derivatives, corporate governance, competition, employment, and tax law.
This enables us to guide clients through the often complex restructuring processes, which may, for example, include complex cross-border distressed loan workouts, swaps, asset sales, and litigation.
Weil's Multi-disciplinary Approach
Corporate
The Corporate team advises on the equity, governance and other corporate aspects of private and public company restructurings, including all aspects of the Listing Rules and liaising with the Takeover Panel. Recent examples include the restructurings of Premier Oil, KCA Deutag, Obrascón Huarte Lain, Floatel EnQuest plc, and MF Global.
High Yield
The High Yield team advises on high yield refinancings. Recent examples include the high yield restructurings of Digicel, KCA, OHL.
Banking & Finance
The Banking team advises on the finance aspects of restructurings, debt for equity swaps, and NPL sales and purchases and other distressed transactions. Recent examples include the restructurings of KCA Deutag, Seadrill, Floatel, Bartec, Solocal, Vivarte, Camaieu, Latecoere.
Structured Finance
The Structured Finance team advises on structured product restructurings, derivatives aspects, and on the purchase of NPLs.
Dispute Resolution
The Litigation team advises on the contentious aspects of restructurings and formal insolvencies. Recent examples include Premier Oil, Paragon, 1Malaysia Development Berhad on its dispute with IPIC, the (GHG) restructuring, Dana Gas, MF Global, and Lehman Brothers.
Value-Added Services
“Very attentive levels of service… more commercial in their manner than some of their rivals. Never seemingly forgetting what their client is keen to achieve.”
IFLR1000 UK
We offer clients a tailored and unique suite of value-added services. Examples include:
- European Restructuring Watch: market-leading microsite which provides regular market intelligence on key developments in restructuring and opinion on breaking news items
- Topical legal and market seminars, which our lawyers would be delighted to deliver to you in-house in order to support your team’s professional development
- Referral arrangements
- Relevant publications, briefings and market updates sent to your teams
Key Contacts
Jean-Dominique Daudier de Cassini
Partner
Paris
- +33 1 4421 9797
- jean-dominique.daudierdecassini@weil.com
Shortcut Links
Weil’s European Restructuring Watch is published by Weil’s London restructuring group, together with our European colleagues. It presents the views of our partners and associates and those of colleagues in specialist teams across Europe. We regularly post entries on legal and marketplace developments.
Awards and Recognition, Latest Thinking, Firm News & Announcements
Awards and Recognition
- Ranked Band 1 for Restructuring — Bondholder and Fund Representation Award Brief — IFLR1000 UK, 2015
- Mark Lawford named a Rising Star of the Financial Legal Profession Award Brief — Financial News “40 Under 40”, 2015
- Restructuring Team of the Year Award Brief — Legal Business Awards, 2014
- Restructuring Team of the Year Award Brief — The Lawyer Awards, 2014
- Bankruptcy Team of the Year Award Brief — Chambers USA Awards for Excellence, 2014
- Bankruptcy Group of the Year Award Brief — Law360, 2013
- Insolvency and Restructuring Law Firm of the Year Award Brief — The International Who’s Who of Business Lawyers, 2008–2013
- Global Finance Deal of the Year, Private Restructuring for MF Global Award Brief — The American Lawyer Global Legal Awards, 2013
- Global Restructuring Law Firm of the Year Award Brief — Turnaround Atlas Awards, 2013
- Insolvency Deal of the Year for Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc.’s exit from chapter 11 bankruptcy and liquidation of assets Award Brief — Turnaround Atlas Awards, 2013
- Ranked Band 1 in Chambers 2014 for Restructuring and Insolvency in six countries Award Brief
- Ranked Band 1 by Chambers Global 2014 for Global-wide Restructuring and Insolvency Award Brief
- Ranked in the Restructuring Elite by Chambers UK 2015 Restructuring Deal of the Year for Lehman Brothers’ chapter 11 insolvency Award Brief
Latest Thinking
- How to Navigate Financial Difficulties Publication — Board Agenda — By Mark Lawford and Jenny Davidson — PDF — September 2024
Firm News & Announcements
- The Weil European Distress Index Firm Announcement — October 10, 2024
- Weil Receives Top Tier Recognition in Legal 500 UK 2025 Firm Announcement — October 02, 2024