Ken Thomas

Michael Kazakevich is a partner in Ropes & Gray’s finance group in London, co-head of the firm’s global practice, and co-chair of the firm’s investment banking industry group. Michael’s practice focuses on corporate finance transactions. He has advised issuers and underwriters in connection with high yield debt issues, secured leveraged loans, initial and follow-on public equity offerings, tender offers and acquisition financing commitments.

Ceyda Knoebel is an English-Turkish dual-qualified solicitor and Of Counsel in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher. She is a member of the firm’s Dispute Resolution and International Arbitration Groups. Ms. Knoebel advises on a wide range of disputes involving public international law and general commercial matters in common and civil law jurisdictions. She has experience in both commercial and investment treaty arbitration proceedings under the UNCITRAL, ICSID, ICC, VIAC a...

Mark's practice covers cross border inward investment, syndicated lending, structured export credit finance, structured trade and commodity finance, debt restructurings and asset finance. Mark is recognized in The Legal 500 UK as "excelling" in structured export credit transactions and is praised for his "commercial and user-friendly approach."Mark advises on ESG financings including hospitals, clean energy and transportation.Mark also advises on financial crime, modern slavery, bribery and c...

Clients value the support, guidance, and leadership that Phillip Taylor brings to a situation and his technical and commercial approach to delivering innovative solutions to the most complex issues involving international restructuring, special situations, and insolvency. He represents companies, creditors, and investors in all parts of the capital structure, as well as corporate trustees, agents, directors, and insolvency practitioners. Phillip routinely handles both contentious and non-cont...

Dorothee Fischer-Appelt is a New York and English-qualified shareholder with 24 years' experience in international capital markets and M&A transactions. She represents companies, financial institutions and selling shareholders in connection with international equity and debt capital markets transactions, including IPOs, secondary equity offerings, structured equity offerings, convertibles, warrants, block trades, high yield offerings, Rule 144A debt offerings, covered bonds, exchange offe...

Nigel van Zyl specializes in advising asset managers, institutional investors and investment advisors across the full spectrum of investment fund matters. Praised for his keen business sense and practical approach, Nigel advises leading international fund managers on all aspects of their fund business, including the formation, raising, maintenance and ongoing operation and compliance of their investment funds. He also advises on internal governance, compliance and organization, carried intere...

Ali Nikpay is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Competition Law. Ali, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ali is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Philip Bowden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law. Philip, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Franz Schwarz focuses on complex multi-jurisdictional disputes. He has extensive experience with arbitral practice, procedure and advocacy both in civil and common law systems. Mr. Schwarz has been involved in more than 250 arbitrations as counsel and arbitrator, both ad-hoc and before all major arbitral institutions (including ICC, LCIA, Vienna and Stockholm), at multiple seats and governed by a broad variety of substantive and procedural laws. He has a particular focus on joint venture, M&a...

Graham Defries is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Life Sciences Law. Graham, who practices law in London, United Kingdom, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Graham is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.