International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson (WBD) has strengthened its restructuring and insolvency offerings both in London and nationally with the appointment of Seán McGuinness to the firm's partnership.
Seán joins the firm from Addleshaw Goddard, where he had successfully developed a broad corporate insolvency, financial restructuring and distressed M&A practice in the City, acting for key current and target clients of the firm.
His practice involves advising in diverse distressed and recovery situations in the restructuring and insolvency space, acting for insolvency practitioners / office holders, credit funds, clearing banks and corporate borrowers at all stages of the cycle, alongside the boards and shareholders of corporate debtors experiencing financial difficulties.
A dual qualified lawyer in both England and the Republic of Ireland, with a wide range of sectoral experience in both jurisdictions, including in financial services, retail, hospitality, real estate, energy, infrastructure, and offshore, Seán's appointment works to strengthen the firm's banking, restructuring, and insolvency practices while bolstering the firm's non-contentious distressed M&A offering to clients across the UK.
Seán's experience includes his roles to date supporting and advising: the secured lender to the Jamies' Italian Group of companies in the context of the refinancing, restructuring, and ultimate insolvent administration of the restaurant group; and PwC as the Administrators of Lehman Brothers Limited in the context of the Lehman group subordinated lender and noteholder distribution disputes in the High Court.
He has also advised the special situations fund Cyrus Capital on the conversion of its listed bond debt exposure to the insolvent former Stobart Group parent, Esken, into a strategic equity stake in London South End Airport; and the club of secured lenders to Caffè Nero regarding that group's leasehold CVA and financial restructuring. Most recently, he has further supported Alvarez and Marsal in their appointment as share charge receivers of The Mole Clinic to help deliver a strategic lender exit following the failure of the wider SkN group of companies.
Seán said: I am honoured to have joined WBD's well-regarded and uniquely positioned restructuring practice, one committed to growth in the context of the evolving national business climate and the strategic opportunities represented by our full coverage across the UK and US mid-market restructuring space. I very much look forward to working closely with my new colleagues in London, nationally and internationally, and to our clients benefiting from that combined depth of experience in the years to come.
Andy Stirk, partner and head of WBD's Banking, Restructuring, and Finance group, said: It is fantastic to further build out our strong client offering in the space with Seán's appointment. He is a natural fit and we are delighted to welcome him on board. His talents will be significantly appreciated as we continue to grow our offering in London, nationally and internationally.
Seán, with his impressive track record and excellent reputation in the market, will be a key figure not only in supporting our valued London clients, but wider as we further expand our support across the UK and internationally.
This news story was originally published on the firm’s website.