Vinson & Elkins Bolsters Global Leveraged Finance Practice with Addition of Noel Hughes in London

LONDON, Sept. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vinson & Elkins announced today the addition of internationally recognized capital markets partner Noel Hughes to its global Leveraged Finance practice, enhancing the firm's capabilities in cross-border leveraged finance and high-yield debt offerings.

Hughes, previously with Sidley Austin, will reside in V&E's London office.

"We are excited to welcome Noel to the firm," said V&E chairman Mark Kelly. "He will bring significant experience and knowledge to our clients across the globe as we continue to strengthen our global leveraged finance practice."

Hughes' practice focuses on international capital markets and cross-border leveraged finance transactions, with a particular focus on high-yield bond financings. He advises issuer and underwriter clients, as well as alternative capital investors on a broad range of transactions, including high-yield debt offerings, debt liability management transactions and U.S. securities law matters.

While it is expected that Hughes will concentrate on transactions sourced from the London office, it is also anticipated that he will support the continuing growth of the firm's High-Yield Offerings practice in the U.S., which is consistently highly ranked for both issuer and underwriter representation across all industries.

"I was attracted to V&E because of its robust capital markets and finance practices, its global footprint and obvious dedication to growing its corporate presence in London," Hughes said. "The synergy between my practice and many of the firm's clients makes this a great place to begin this new chapter of my career."  

Hughes has been recognized as a leading lawyer by Chambers UK (2015-2018), with clients noting in the most recent edition that he can "bring the business context to negotiations" and complimenting him for being "very analytical and always on top of things."

"Noel has earned an excellent reputation in London and beyond as a top caliber high-yield practitioner and his energy and enthusiasm for building the practice really made him stand out to us," said Jeff Eldredge, Co-Head of the firm's Corporate Department. "As we strategically expand our London corporate group, we are focused on bringing in lawyers like Noel, who bring experience and insight that will benefit our clients across the world."

V&E's internationally recognized Leveraged Finance team has represented borrowers, lenders, issuers and underwriters since the inception of the market. With approximately 275 high-yield debt offerings (with a total transactional value of approximately $129 billion) completed since the beginning of 2011, the firm's global High-Yield Offerings practice combines a historical understanding of the market with valuable insight into current market and industry trends gained through constant exposure to deal flow. In 2017, V&E ranked 3rd in the U.S. market for high-yield issuer's counsel and 5th on the underwriter side, according to The Prospect News.

Vinson & Elkins LLP is an international law firm with approximately 700 lawyers across 15 offices worldwide. For more information, please contact Melissa Anderson at +1.713.758.2030.

SOURCE Vinson & Elkins LLP

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