Mayer Brown has strengthened its cross-border capital markets practice by appointing Scott Ashton as a partner and Brian Bates as senior counsel in London. This strategic move is poised to enhance the firm's capabilities in the specialized market of cross-border U.S. private placement debt issuance, where both lawyers have significant expertise.
What Happened
Mayer Brown's recent appointments of Scott Ashton and Brian Bates mark a significant expansion of its capital markets practice, particularly in the domain of cross-border securities offerings. Ashton and Bates have collectively advised on approximately 30% of recent cross-border U.S. private placement debt issuance. Their focus includes representing issuers and placement agents in private placements and other debt and equity capital markets transactions. This expertise is especially pertinent to non-U.S. companies raising capital through private placements with U.S. and international institutional investors, including financial institutions and pension funds.
The cross-border private placement market has gained traction as companies and infrastructure sponsors seek alternatives to traditional bank lending and public bond markets. Ashton and Bates are recognized for their contributions to industry-standard documentation, having been involved with the Loan Market Association and the American College of Investment Counsel's model documents. Their addition to Mayer Brown's team enhances its ability to advise clients on evolving market standards and transaction structures.
What This Means for Your Business
For U.S. operators in the architecture, engineering, construction, and manufacturing sectors, Mayer Brown’s bolstered capabilities in cross-border private placements offer new avenues for securing long-duration capital. This is particularly relevant for infrastructure and energy projects, which often require substantial, long-term financing aligned with asset economics. The firm's enhanced expertise can aid U.S. businesses in navigating cross-border transactions, ensuring compliance with market standards, and accessing diverse financing channels beyond domestic sources.
Furthermore, the appointments align with the increasing role of private capital in funding renewable energy, power, transportation, and digital infrastructure projects. Mayer Brown's expanded team is well-positioned to help U.S. companies leverage these opportunities, potentially enhancing their competitive positioning and return on investment by reducing reliance on conventional lending markets.
What US Operators Should Watch
U.S. operators should monitor evolving market standards and documentation practices in the cross-border private placement sector. Keeping abreast of these changes can provide a competitive edge in capital markets transactions. Additionally, as Mayer Brown continues to expand its international financing platform, U.S. businesses may find new opportunities to engage with institutional investors across multiple jurisdictions, diversifying their funding bases and mitigating risks associated with single-market dependencies.
Source: https://pulse2.com/mayer-brown-adds-scott-ashton-and-brian-bates-to-expand-cross-border-capital-markets-practice/. Read the original story ->
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