Seven major investment banks, which routinely consult Jennifer Kafcas — and certain of them on an exclusive basis — value and trust Jennifer and her team on all aspects of derivatives law practice across all major asset classes. Having worked on some of the most high-profile transactions in the Asian, European, UK, U.S., and Latin American markets, she brings strong market intelligence and structuring advice to any transaction.
Clients value the work and constant attention Jennifer has with respect to their businesses, and in particular a major investment banking client was quoted in the Legal 500, noting that Jennifer and her team are “the best on the street by far…always timely, proactive and commercial.”
Jennifer has over 20 years’ experience representing major investment banks and private equity funds with respect to derivatives products, whether as a stand-alone transaction or an integral part of a leveraged finance, a high-yield bond issuance, M&A, a project, or an infrastructure transaction, including on a finance-linked or deal-contingent basis. She heads up the London Derivatives team, which is one of the only go-to full-service derivatives practices for finance-linked swap and deal-contingent transactions in the market. The team is unique in that not only does it advise on the derivatives aspects of the transaction, it advises with respect to (a) finance-linked swap transactions and the underlying financing documentation; and (b) deal-contingent transactions on regulatory, antitrust, and other deal closing conditions in infrastructure/projects and M&A corporate transactions through the “DC lens.” In each case, this allows clients to take a holistic view of the transactions and make a proper analysis of risk and deal certainty within the context of a derivatives instrument.
Jennifer is a regular participant on International Swaps and Derivatives Association committees and was a market trailblazer with respect to LIBOR replacement, writing more than 38 articles and blogs on the subject.
Affiliations
Professional Activities and Memberships
- Member, ISDA
- Member, AFME High Yield Intercreditor Committee
- Member, Committee on European Insolvency Reform
- Member, European Leveraged Finance Association
Representative Matters
- Advised a major investment bank in its capacity as mandated hedge provider in relation to the financing aspects of a £4.2 billion acquisition. The deal was one of the largest European private equity buyouts since the coronavirus pandemic.
- Advised a major investment bank in connection with a complex deal contingent transaction in relating to a take private transaction of a consortium of private equity funds’ £1.4 billion recommended cash offer for a major PLC.
- Advised major investment bank in its capacity as hedge coordinator on two finance packages worth approximately EUR 1 billion relating to the construction and maintenance of 15 stations on the Barcelona Metro.
- Advised a major financial institution with respect to its LIBOR remediation process as a result of the discountenance of LIBOR.
- Advised a major US bank in connection with its commodity trading business lines worth $750m.
- Advised a major investment bank in structuring complex deal contingent derivative product in connection with €1.6bn investment in a wind farm in Germany.
- Advised a major investment bank in structuring a complex deal contingent derivative product in connection with the acquisition finance for a major Portuguese fibre business valued at €630m.
Publications
Client Alerts & Newsletters
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"When Is an Event of Default “Continuing”?,"
Financial Services Alert
(November 4, 2022).
Contacts: Charles Wakiwaka, Jennifer J. Kafcas, Lauren J. Blaber, Alvino S. Van Schalkwyk
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"Russian Executive Order Restricts Transactions in Shares of Russian LLCs by Shareholders From “Unfriendly” Countries,"
Antitrust Law Alert
(November 2, 2022).
Contacts: Jennifer J. Kafcas, Charles Wakiwaka, Olivier N. Antoine, Peter Broadhurst
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"UK Government Launches Review of Electricity Markets,"
Energy Law Alert
(August 18, 2022).
Contacts: Robin Baillie, Jennifer J. Kafcas, Lisa G. Henneberry
Press Coverage
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My Legal Life: Jennifer Kafcas, Crowell & Moring
January 13, 2022 — The Law Society
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Firm Hires: Crowell & Moring Expands Financial Services Practice
December 15, 2021 — The Law Society Gazette
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Crowell & Moring – Derivatives Team
December 11, 2021 — New Law Journal
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Revolving Doors: Bumper Week For Taylor Wessing With Team Hire In Poland And Double Partner Swoop In London
December 10, 2021 — Legal Business
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Full Disclosure: What The legal World Is Reading This Week
December 9, 2021 — Financial Times
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Crowell & Moring Hits Rival For 4-Lawyer London Finance Team
December 6, 2021 — Law.com International
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Crowell & Moring Grows Again In London With McGuireWoods Team
December 6, 2021 — Reuters Legal
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Crowell & Moring Adds Derivatives Quartet From McGuireWoods In London
December 6, 2021 — The Global Legal Post
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Crowell & Moring Snags McGuireWoods Derivatives Team
December 6, 2021 — Law360
Firm News & Announcements