News

McCarthy Denning Expands its International Corporate Offering With New Co-Head of Finance & Restructuring

Leading next generation City law firm McCarthy Denning has announced the arrival of a new Partner, Dr Werner Meier, who will be working across three of the firm’s core sector practices: Restructuring, Banking and Finance, and Corporate. Werner is one of the leading European finance and restructuring lawyers with a multinational practice, having previously worked out of the Frankfurt, New York and London offices of major international law firms. Werner will take on the mantle of Co-Head of Finance & Restructuring at McCarthy Denning.

With 28 years of experience, Werner has developed a notable specialism in German and European debt and corporate restructuring work. He is also regularly instructed by clients to advise on a breadth of corporate and finance matters, including syndicated loans, high yield bonds, securitisations and other structured finance transactions. Additionally, Werner advises private equity and strategic investors in high-value M&A transactions. His diverse client base consists of financial investors, international banks, multinational companies and sovereign states. Werner’s career highlights include advising German chemical and consumer goods company, Henkel, in 2018 on a €1.5bn revolving credit facility with a $300m swingline – the first ‘green loan’ established in Germany and more widely, the first of its kind within Europe. Werner’s track record in the restructuring field includes advising The Hellenic Republic on its €206bn sovereign debt restructuring, the largest restructuring transaction in history.

A German-native, Werner is fluent in English, as well as proficient in French and Spanish. He is a member of TMA Germany and INSOL International. Werner has won numerous transaction awards and top rankings in legal directories. Since 2018, leading UK directory The Legal 500 has included Werner in its newly introduced Hall of Fame, which ‘highlights individuals who have received constant praise by their clients for continued excellence’ and ‘who are at the pinnacle of the profession’.

McCarthy Denning continues to expand its comprehensive corporate and commercial offering – which spans several key sectors – to its international client base through the recruitment of high-calibre solicitors who are recognised leaders in their legal fields. Most recently, in July 2019, Energy Partner, Ashley Wright, joined the firm. Werner’s appointment brings McCarthy Denning’s Partner count to 45. Werner will work across practices alongside Richard Beresford, Chairman and Head of Corporate, as well as Partners Jon Yorke and Henning von Sachsen-Altenburg, to meet growing client demand.

Werner Meier, Parnter and Co-Head of Finance & Restructuring at McCarthy Denning, said on his arrival:

 “I’m delighted to open a new chapter in my career by joining a top next generation City law firm. McCarthy Denning is a perfect fit for me. The firm’s flexible and collaborative set-up will provide excellent support for the further development of my practice.”

Wayne Rapozo, Partner and Co-Head of Finance, based in London, commented:

“Werner is a highly respected practitioner in both finance and restructuring. His practice is truly international as he is known to clients and colleagues in the USA as well as in Europe.  Werner’s work with banks, investment funds and corporates make him an ideal addition to our practice. His expertise on complex banking and restructuring transactions goes well with our business in providing creative solutions for our clients.”

This press release has been picked up by the following publications:

• Private Equity Wire
• Institutional Asset Manager
• The World News Monitor
• Law 360
• Legal Tribune Online
• Global Restructuring Review
• New Law Journal
• Global Turnaround (October 2019 Issue)
• The Law Society Gazette