Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
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Clara Hutchison

London

Summary

Results-driven lawyer skilled in drafting and negotiating bespoke financing transactions using LMA documentation. Proven ability to lead teams on high-value corporate lending transactions, implement strategic relationship plans, promote collaboration and adapt to evolving market trends.


Recent partner feedback: "[Clara] is an extremely competent lawyer who is very good at winning the client's trust quickly, finding sensible and pragmatic solutions, and dealing calmly and positively in tense situations."

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education

Work history

Senior Associate (Banking & Finance)

Osborne Clarke LLP
London
06.2021 - Current
  • Lead on high-value real estate and corporate lending transactions, acting as primary deal and relationship contact for UK clearing banks and alternative lenders. Viewed as trusted adviser, inputting on deal structures and providing advice on points of negotiation and market facing terms.
  • Manage fast-paced, high pressured transactions involving multiple teams and tight deadlines, ensuring quality control and timely delivery of legal advice. Recently completed a complex EUR 300m real estate financing for a European real estate sponsor involving complex legal documentation and multi-jurisdictional stakeholders.
  • Relationship manager for two core lender clients (including one major UK clearing bank), developing strategic plans, enhancing relationship management and regularly collaborating with transaction management and legal teams to improve quality of legal service.
  • Team lead in preparing house precedents and leading training sessions on key market topics such as Biodiversity Net Gain and Building Safety Regulations, evidencing technical leadership in legal developments.
  • Supervising trainee lawyers and providing a pastoral role to junior associates, giving time to promote junior development and improve working practices. Recent junior associate feedback: "Clara always makes me feel involved in a transaction. Her inclusive approach fosters a collaborative environment and ensures that everyone feels valued and engaged."
  • Leader of Osborne Clarke's international finance associate group, running meetings across OC European offices promoting cross-border collaboration and ideas for more efficient working practices. Recently coordinated a session on AI and regularly encourage dialogue between European teams on hot topics such as ESG, back leverage and other market trends.
  • Chair of Osborne Clarke's London Charity Committee, focusing on delivering value for OC charity partner and promoting pro bono activity and fundraising engagement across the firm.

Finance Associate

Morrison & Foerster LLP
10.2019 - 06.2021
  • Drafted and negotiated a variety of key legal documents on high value international finance matters - liaising directly with legal advisers and clients, independently progressing key elements of transactions.
  • Worked in small, streamlined teams comprising a partner and one or two other lawyers, taking central role in transactions which were often highly fast-paced and involve complex structures.
  • Reviewed and coordinated security from multiple jurisdictions, took responsibility for ancillary documentation and provided comprehensive reporting on loan terms for key bank clients.
  • Took part in legal working group led by the European Leveraged Finance Association and the UN Principles of Responsible Investment to develop guidelines for high yield and leveraged loan markets on ESG-related reporting and diligence. Undertook comprehensive
    market research and drafted a comprehensive guide for sub-investment grade corporate borrowers, assisted with facilitating discussions between sponsors, investors and credit rating agencies at a roundtable event with over 80 attendees.
  • Led on a UK government-backed loan to borrower in light of COVID-19 financing difficulties, involving bespoke drafting and analysis of security availability and debt capacity.
  • Worked with The Chancery Lane Project to prepare body of recommended ESG-related clauses for incorporation into loan agreements and bond documentation, with aim of promoting sustainable practices and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
  • Worked as part of tight-knit team to lead $600 million high yield green bond issuance for Indian renewable energy company backed by multinational private equity sponsor. Project launched over an extremely tight timeline, pushing me to make commercially-driven decisions quickly and proactively. Assumed central project management role, and took full responsibility for diligence process.
  • Advised two well-established investment grade public companies on refinancing their multimillion RCFs in light of changing capital requirements. Analysed both companies' existing loan documentation and proposed comprehensive overhaul to incorporate more borrower-friendly provisions and strengthen their position, and to incorporate sustainability-linked margin adjustments based upon ESG-related KPIs.
  • Represented portfolio company of major global private equity investor, focusing its presence in emerging Asian markets, on unique $2.5 billion hybrid corporate credit risk/receivables financing facility. Instructed law firms in over 15 countries globally, condensing specific jurisdictional advice and preparing a comprehensive report, all with minimal supervisory input.

Training Contract

Pinsent Masons LLP
09.2017 - 09.2019
  • Undertook six month placements in four departments - Banking and Finance, Employment, Corporate and Restructuring.
  • Actively managed various strands of £70m real estate development finance facility alongside partner and senior associate. I instructed foreign counsel and co-ordinated their input; directly liaised with client to provide regular updates, reviewed collateral warranties and duty of care agreements and drafted and directly negotiated various English law finance documents.
  • Supervisor feedback: "(Clara) has, on a number of occasions, identified issues which were outside of her direct responsibility - her desire to understand the bigger picture means she thinks around issues, and is not afraid to ask questions where she thinks something is missing, or doesn't work".
  • Managed conditions precedent process on high value REF transactions. Coordinated work-streams with real estate and construction colleagues, liaised with third parties and drafted security documents and legal opinions.
  • Undertook key management role in ring-fencing migration project for major commercial bank.
  • Prepared and reviewed comprehensive portfolio of employment contracts for new client with presence in 21 different jurisdictions - managing project, instructing and coordinating input from foreign counsel, drafting agreements on basis of foreign templates, reviewing contracts for consistency and compliance, collating advice and highlighting points of concern.
  • Managed large scale UK redundancy project for a major high-street bank. This involved reviewing a high volume of settlement agreements under tight time pressures, assuming responsibility for regular client updates and negotiating amendments with minimal supervision, allowing client to streamline its business more effectively.
  • Worked as part of small team to manage large scale corporate restructuring: advising board of directors on their ongoing responsibilities, analysing commercial position relating to various creditors and supply chains, and quickly formulating concrete legal advice in light of rapidly changing circumstances.

Education

Diploma in Professional Legal Practice - Law

University of Glasgow
Glasgow
09.2016 - 06.2017

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law

University of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
09.2012 - 06.2016

Skills

  • Key player in executing strategic transactions - working collaboratively and efficiently managing input from multiple stakeholders
  • Regularly running multiple, high value transactions with tight timelines and competing priorities
  • Lead on cross-team knowledge sharing and product improvement, preparing precedents and presenting at training sessions
  • Promotes adherence compliance-driven policies and procedures including conflicts, complaints handling and financial practices
  • Supporting junior associates and drives excellence across client service

References

References available upon request.

Timeline

Senior Associate (Banking & Finance)

Osborne Clarke LLP
06.2021 - Current

Finance Associate

Morrison & Foerster LLP
10.2019 - 06.2021

Training Contract

Pinsent Masons LLP
09.2017 - 09.2019

Diploma in Professional Legal Practice - Law

University of Glasgow
09.2016 - 06.2017

Bachelor of Laws (LLB) - Law

University of Edinburgh
09.2012 - 06.2016

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Clara Hutchison