In its pursuit to build upon its market–leading global funds finance practice, Reed Smith has announced that Colin Baker will join the firm as a partner in its Financial Industry Group, based in London. Baker, who joins the firm from Goodwin Procter, brings a practice steeped in funds finance experience acting for fund borrowers and lenders.
Recognized among those in the fund finance space for his technical acumen and commercial understanding, Baker has particular experience across a wide range of fund level finance, including equity bridging, subscription line financing, investment warehousing, portfolio and asset acquisition facilities, GP facilities and carry/co-investment facilities. He also advises a number of financial institutions, asset managers and private equity houses on real estate and private equity financings.
“Our funds finance team is one of the pillars of our global finance practice and has established itself as the premier practice in this space,” said Ed Estrada, global chair of Reed Smith’s Financial Industry Group. “Colin joins a team that has a laser-like focus on growth and delivering innovative results for its new and existing fund and lender clients. He is a welcome addition to our practice and firm.”
Reed Smith’s funds finance team is widely considered among the best in the industry, and has arguably the largest team of funds finance lawyers in London. Focused on lending to private equity, credit, infrastructure, real estate and secondary funds, the funds finance team represents a range of lenders, including banks and specialist debt funds, who offer finance solutions to funds and their general partners. This practice has experienced significant growth over the past three years, in terms of the quality of lateral joiners, the clients it has brought on, and the mandates it has handled. Baker joins recent hires including K-P Deveau and Bronwen Jones in London and Elizabeth Tabas-Carson in Philadelphia. The team is led by Leon Stephenson and Bronwen Jones, two of the most experienced and reputable experts of funds finance.
“Having sat opposite from Colin on several matters, we know well the capabilities and experiences he brings to our practice,” said Stephenson. “His technical skills, dedication to client service, and desire to expand his practice align perfectly with our goal of fortifying and enhancing our position as the market leader. We look forward to Colin joining our team.”
Baker studied Jurisprudence at Balliol College, University of Oxford, Law and Economics at the University of Utrecht, gaining an LLM, and completed his LPC at BPP Law School, gaining a distinction in 2005.
Source: www.reedsmith.com
