Senior legal industry heavy-hitter augments Eversheds Sutherland private credit funds capability

Eversheds Sutherland has bolstered its leveraged finance capability with the appointment of lateral partner hire, Ben Davis, to head its leveraged finance private credit funds practice.

Ben joins from US-headquartered international law firm, Proskauer Rose LLP, where he was an established partner in its private credit group.

The early stages of Ben’s career were spent training and working as a solicitor at international law firm Allen & Overy, later securing partnership at law firm Travers Smith where he spent nine years in its banking & finance team, specialising in leveraged finance transactions. He joined Proskauer Rose as a partner in 2016.

Ben’s focus is on acquisition and leveraged finance facilities and debt restructurings in the middle and upper markets. He advises a variety of private credit funds on unitranche loans, second-lien financings, first out / last out structures, holdco PIK and other subordinated facilities, preferred equity investments, special situations, litigation funding and distressed situations among other innovative, first-in-kind transactions involving private sources of capital. Ben’s practice has included a large number of European financing transactions across the continent.

Both legal industry directories, Legal 500 UK and Chambers UK, praise Ben for his various professional capabilities and experience. He is ranked as a "leading individual" for the category of acquisition finance by Legal 500 UK and is noted for having "a deep knowledge of the market" as well as a “prolific” practice. He is described as "excellent" and "very commercial" and "one of the best lawyers".

Keri Rees, Co-Head of the Global Company Commercial Practice Group, Eversheds Sutherland commented:

“Our Global Finance practice has come on leaps and bounds and whilst we’ve been making good progress organically in the private funds space, make no doubt that a leading individual like Ben will be a real catalyst and boost. Having been in this market since its inception in Europe, Ben’s deep level of experience will help elevate the quality team we already have to compete with the very best in this space and provides a genuine European-wide offering to our clients.   

“This is an exciting build project for us and we’re delighted Ben has the ambition to join us. The ability to deliver the same level of technical and service excellence coupled with an enlightened and progressive approach to client relationships and our people makes a compelling proposition for our clients and team.”

Nick Swiss, Head of Finance, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Ben is a high-calibre, experienced leveraged finance appointment and we couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome him to both the team and the firm. The capability and technical knowledge he brings dovetail perfectly with our wider private capital strategy, as well as our international funds work, and will play a key part in enriching and strengthening our offerings here.”

Ben Davis, Eversheds Sutherland, commented:

“Eversheds Sutherland has built an impressive global platform, underpinned by its equally significant breadth of experience and finance expertise across Europe. The opportunity to be part of this network and to draw on my knowledge and experience to help further develop and market its existing pan-European offering, as well as its global offering, is particularly exciting.”