Clifford Chance appointed Jason C. Ewart a partner in its global financial markets team as the firm expands its U.S. leveraged finance group.
The hiring of Ewart, who advises on private debt and alternative capital financings as well as traditional leveraged finance and capital markets transactions, meets growing market demand for private credit as a source of funding. He will be joined by Thomas Critchley, a UK-based partner at Clifford Chance, who will relocate to the U.S. later this month to bolster the firm’s sponsor-side leveraged finance capability.
Ewart has represented a variety of direct lenders, mezzanine funds, private debt and structured equity providers and other financial institutions in complex financing transactions. His more than 15 years of experience spans advising clients on banking, financial markets and environment, social and governance matters. He has represented issuers and financial institutions in traditional public and private markets transactions, including on SEC-registered transactions.
Critchley, who has been a partner in the firm’s London office since 2020, advises on domestic and cross-border finance transactions for borrowers and sponsors, with a particular focus on leveraged and acquisition financing.
“With private credit and private capital becoming an increasingly important source of funding, we are building our U.S. offering to match our renowned position as a global team across the spectrum of private credit markets,” Emma Matebalavu, global head of capital markets at Clifford Chance, said. “Jason has extensive knowledge at all levels of the capital structure to help clients negotiate and structure effective financing transactions and investments. His trans-Atlantic experience blends perfectly with our ambition to provide seamless global capability to our clients.”
“The appointment of Jason to our team here in the U.S. marks a time of increasing activity in the region,” Lee Askenazi, co-head of global financial markets in the Americas at Clifford Chance, said. “His arrival, alongside Thomas’ from our UK practice, will deliver immediate benefits to our clients as they seek truly global advice.”
“I’m excited to join a truly global platform in Clifford Chance,” Ewart said. “Having connected with a number of team members already, I see limitless opportunities to share my experience and in turn collaborate with and learn from some of the most impressive attorneys in the market.”
