Benoit Lavigne joined law firm Morrison & Foerster as a Finance practice partner in the London office.

Lavigne brings to the firm a wealth of experience in complex, cross-border finance matters. His practice focuses primarily on leveraged finance, acquisition finance and special situations lending. He advises both lenders and issuers/borrowers and has significant experience in refinancing, margin lending and IPO financing.

Lavigne’s recent notable transactions include advising an EU-headquartered multinational TMT company on its cross-border equity and debt financings for the acquisition of various portfolio companies and representing the steering committee of mezzanine lenders in connection with the restructuring of the €1 billion debt facilities of an EU-headquartered cable group.

He comes to Morrison & Foerster from Ropes & Gray, making him the third partner to join the former’s London office in 2018, following the additions of Caroline Jury, a finance partner who joined from Clifford Chance, and Dan Coppel, a corporate partner who joined from Jones Day.

“Benoit is highly regarded in finance circles in London, and his cross-border experience will continue to enhance our ability to support our clients with their growing global finance needs,” said Paul Friedman, Morrison & Foerster’s managing partner for Europe. “I am delighted with the continued robust growth in our London practices, with a steady stream of market-leading partners, counsel and associates joining us from U.S. and magic circle firms since the start of 2018.”