Tamer Bahgat has been appointed a partner in its London banking team focusing on European high yield. Mr Bahgat joins from Allen & Overy, where he was part of the high yield bond group. His experience includes international capital market transactions in connection with leveraged buyouts, acquisition finance and corporate finance, with particular emphasis on high yield debt offerings. The firm has also appointed Natalia Sokolova who joins from Linklaters, where she focused on high yield and acquisition finance, advising underwriters, issuers/sponsors and bridge lenders. She was previously a partner at Kirkland & Ellis in Chicago.

Background

While at Allen & Overy, Mr Bahgat spent time on secondment in the Leveraged Finance Execution Team of Goldman Sachs International where he was primarily responsible for working on leveraged buyouts, refinancings and dividend recapitalisations transactions. Prior to joining Allen & Overy, he worked at Cravath, Swaine & Moore in New York and London.

Developing global practice

Helen Burton, global co-head of finance, commented: ‘The appointment of Tamer and Natalia, together with Anna-Marie Slot, one of the leading high yield and debt capital markets lawyers in Asia, are key to developing our global practice in high yield, sub-investment grade lending and restructuring. Their experience, contacts and drive reflect our ambition and commitment to further strengthen our high yield offering.’ Mr Baghat said: ‘Given the strength of Ashurst's platform, top tier complementary practice groups and quality of lawyers, it is the natural place for someone with my background to be part of the team that will drive the development of the European high yield practice group.’