International law firm Clifford Chance has appointed Will Sutton as a partner in the firm’s leading real estate finance and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) practice. Sutton returns to Clifford Chance where he previously trained and spent over 10 years as an associate. Prior to re-joining he was Counsel at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, where he advised private equity sponsors on a wide range of securitisation and structured debt financing transactions across all major asset classes, focusing in particular on commercial mortgage-backed securitisations and secured corporate securitisation financings.

Emma Matebalavu, Co-Head of Global Financial Markets in London at Clifford Chance, comments: “Will combines real estate finance expertise with specialisation in CMBS, both markets which are experiencing significant growth. We are delighted to welcome him back to our award-winning commercial real estate/CMBS global team. He is both a good friend and exceptionally talented lawyer and I look forward to working with him again.”

Sutton adds: “I’m incredibly excited to be re-joining Clifford Chance and going back to my roots. The truly global platform combined with an integrated and cohesive team makes it the perfect place to take my practice to the next level. I look forward to advising the firm’s financial institution and financial investor clients on their most significant real estate finance and structured debt mandates.”

Clifford Chance’s Real Estate Finance practice is a uniquely structured global team that specialises in real estate finance, advising borrowers, lenders, lead managers and issuers on domestic and cross-border real estate financings, refinancings and restructurings. The firm’s international network provides a full service approach in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, the US and Asia Pacific, ensuring seamless access to expertise in all areas of real estate finance worldwide. The team has an in-depth understanding of the commercial real estate sector and financing products in that market (e.g. bi-lateral loans, syndicated loans, sub-participated debt, mezzanine loans, development finance, CMBS and commercial real estate CLOs).