McDermott Will & Schulte, a global law firm

Aymen Mahmoud is the European Head of Finance and Co-Head of both the London Transactions Group, and the London Finance, Restructuring and Special Situations Group. He is also Managing Partner of the Firm’s London office. He focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for private equity funds and their portfolio companies, hedge funds, corporate borrowers and issuers and other financial institutions including banks, direct lenders, family offices and other alternative sophisticated capital. His experience includes acting in respect of direct lending, leveraged buyouts, domestic and cross-border syndicated senior, second lien and mezzanine lending, distressed debt trading, portfolio acquisitions and restructurings, emerging markets and other debt securities, including high-yield debt offerings. Aymen also has significant experience in connection with pre-EBITDA and recurring revenue financings.

Aymen has been described as a “uniquely commercial and creative transaction leader” as well as “savvy, knowledgeable, always available and always on the ball” by Legal 500 and Chambers note him to be “extremely commercial and pragmatic.” He played a key role in first establishing the Loan Market Association forms of leveraged and high yield documentation and has been recognized in numerous significant awards, including Global Restructuring Review’s global “40 under 40” rankings in 2022, Mergerlinks‘ Top 30 Financing Lawyers in EMEA in 2023 and Financial News “Most Influential Lawyer” list in 2026.

John Burge focuses his practice on advising both lenders and borrowers on their leverage, special situations and investment grade transactions. He assists clients with transactions and negotiating and settling commitment, loan and associated documentation both in the UK and overseas.

Alongside his leverage, special situations and investment grade practice, John frequently advises funders on new lending products, loans with unique features, loans of a high-risk nature and transactions which are the subject of litigation. Additionally, he is experienced in advising banks and funds on their key internal risk management exercises, including the finance aspects of litigation and restructuring loan portfolios.

John has been recognised by a number of legal directories and is identified by The Legal 500 as being “incredibly responsive and highly personable. He demystifies complex topics and is pragmatic”

Mark Fine focuses his practice on complex debt financing transactions for private equity houses, borrowers and lenders including direct lending, leveraged buyouts, domestic and cross-border syndicated lending, junior debt issuances, high yield offerings, special situations, distressed debt trading, portfolio acquisitions and restructurings. Mark has previously held the position of European General Counsel at Bain Capital Credit in London.

Mark has been described as “super responsive and involved as the partner” as well as “demonstrating strong commercial awareness during complex matters” by Chambers and Legal 500 note him to be “hugely intelligent and commercially savvy.”

Christopher Kandel focuses his practice on leveraged, special situations and acquisition finance and restructuring matters under English and US law. He is considered one of the leading acquisition finance lawyers in London, with decades of experience in the London market.

Chris has advised on a variety of landmark and notably innovative matters, including numerous European acquisition financings, a large number of take privates and bridge loans, the first super-senior revolver in Europe, the first pari passu secured bank/bond issue in Europe, the largest ever margin loan on unlisted shares, what was the largest (now second largest) LBO financing in Asia and the first Western-sponsor-style leveraged buyout financing in Russia. He was also singled out in the Financial Times 2016 European Innovative Lawyers report for his innovative work on the Pirelli take-private financing.

Chris is often turned to because of his detailed knowledge of the differences between the mid market and large cap debt products and terms, as well as the changes required when European borrowers/transactions turn to the US leveraged finance market for liquidity.

Chris has been recognized by global legal directories as a leader in his field. He is highlighted in Chambers Global “as a go-to player in the London banking and finance markets. His expertise includes complex and high-value cross-border leveraged fand corporate finance matters.”

Fatema is an award-winning private equity partner whose practice focuses on providing strategic counsel to European and US private equity sponsors. She has pan-European cross sector experience on the full range of corporate matters, including leveraged buyouts, strategic mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, structured and minority equity investments, equity and debt restructurings, and management equity plans, as well as related advisory work.

Fatema has received acknowledgement from numerous industry ranking guides:

• Chambers UK 2024 – Ranked for Private Equity: Buyouts: £500 million and above. Sources note, “Fatema is deeply knowledgeable and infinitely approachable.” “Fatema has very high capability and the ability to be creative and think outside of the box.” “Fatema’s ability is wide-ranging and she prioritises client relationships.”
• The Legal 500 UK 2024 – Fatema has been ranked as a “Leading Individual” for Private Equity: Transactions – Mid-Market Deals. Sources note, “Fatema is an outstanding PE lawyer. We particularly value Fatema’s ability to find creative solutions in complex situations, working with clients to find viable paths forward where one is not obvious —– this really sets her apart from others in the industry. We also appreciate how dedicated she is to her clients. Fatema is always on top of both the details and the bigger picture, even at short notice. Fatema is our go-to PE lawyer.”

Fatema is distinguished by her work in promoting diversity in the legal profession. She has been included in the Class of 2021 at Law.com’s Women, Influence & Power in Law UK Awards as “Mentor of the Year” for which Fatema was the top “Outstanding Winner”.

Fatema has also been actively involved in initiatives across the City, including her roles as co-founder of “Women in Law, London” (WILL) a network with over 2,000 members across London aiming to promote and engage the next generation of women leaders in law, an Events Committee member of the “City Women’s Network” (CWN), and advisory panel member of “Oxford Women in Law” (OWL).

Giulia Venanzoni is counsel in the London Finance, Restructuring and Special Situations Group and focuses her practice on corporate and financial services advising private equity funds, corporate borrowers and issuers and various financial institutions on a number of cross-border and domestic debt financing transactions. She has a wealth of knowledge of leveraged buyouts, direct lending, domestic and syndicated senior, second lien and mezzanine financings and restructurings. She previously gained experience in real estate finance, debt securities, securitization and general banking.