John Dawson and Federico Fruhbeck have joined Vinson & Elkins in its London office, adding depth to the firm’s global finance, high-yield and M&A practices.
Dawson, a partner who focuses his practice on acquisition and leveraged finance, was previously at Clifford Chance. Fruhbeck, who joins the firm as counsel, comes to V&E from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.
“John and Federico are both exceptional lawyers, and they are the perfect fit for V&E as we continue to grow our London-based private equity and finance practice,” said Jeff Eldredge, Corporate Department Head of the firm’s Europe, Middle East and Africa practice. “Their practices are complementary with our existing team, and we’re very pleased they’ve come on board.”
Dawson has a wide array of experience in syndicated, club and unitranche public and private acquisition and other event driven financings, funds financings, real estate financings and restructurings in the UK, European and international markets. His many notable matters include advising Alter Domus, a leading provider of Fund and Corporate Services, on the refinancing of its debt facilities alongside an investment in the Alter Domus Group by Permira, Bridgepoint on the financing for the acquisition of Dr Gerard, a Polish biscuits manufacturer, representing Epiris on its loan-to-own investment in Park Resorts, subsequent buy-and-build, Term Loan B refinancing on merger to form Parkdean Resorts and successful exit, working with Jackpotjoy plc on the re-organisation of its first lien indebtedness on the shifting of its listing from Toronto to London and the introduction of a second lien facility and advising the Steering Committee on the restructuring of telecommunications provider Vivacom involving the first pre-pack and scheme of arrangement in Bulgaria and advising Vivacom on its subsequent refinancing with one of the first high-yield bond issues by a Bulgarian issuer.
“V&E’s recent expansion in the City, along with the firm’s long history of excellent client service really make this a great place for me to start the next chapter of my career,” Dawson said. “I am very impressed with the entrepreneurial culture and look forward to building on an already successful finance and private equity practice platform.”
Dawson graduated from Oxford University and started as a trainee and associate at Clifford Chance in London before being promoted to partner at the firm in 2010.
“John has an impeccable reputation and is quickly developing into one of London’s leading finance lawyers,” said Erec Winandy, co-head of the firm’s Finance Practice. “His collegial demeanour and strong work ethic are exactly what we look for in a V&E partner, and we’re excited to have him.”
Fruhbeck has strong experience in both M&A and high-yield financings. A Spanish native, he has built a significant practice representing Spanish clients and their counterparties and advisors. Fruhbeck also has extensive experience with European IPO transactions and cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Among his notable representations, Fruhbeck advised Gestamp Automoción S.A., a leading Spanish multi-national automotive engineering company, in several offerings, including its $3.9 billion initial public offering, the largest IPO in Europe to date; Deutsche Bank AG in connection with several offerings of senior notes by CIRSA Funding Luxembourg, S.A., a subsidiary of CIRSA Gaming Corporation; the initial purchasers in Spanish-based hotel chain NH Hoteles’ inaugural offering of senior secured notes; and Grupo Antolín, one of the largest players in the car interiors market internationally, in several offerings, including its inaugural offering of senior secured notes.
“V&E’s impressive client list and stellar reputation in the capital markets and private equity arena present an excellent opportunity for me to continue to build my practice,” Fruhbeck said. “I am excited to be joining such a talented group of lawyers.”
Fruhbeck received his LL.M. from Columbia Law School and graduated cum laude from Universidad Pontificia Comillas (ICADE) Law School in Madrid, Spain.
Source: www.velaw.com
