A leading banking lawyer has joined an East Anglian law firm as it bolsters its offering with a new service.

Ellisons Solicitors, which has offices throughout Essex and Suffolk, has welcomed Phillip Slater as Legal Director and Head of Banking.

Phil, who joins with more than 25 years’ experience with firms in the City, said there is a significant opportunity to meet the already established and rapidly increasing regional requirement for legal provision in the area of banking and finance, which he was looking forward to delivering for clients.

He said: “Joining Ellisons’ established platform in East Anglia and complementing its corporate & commercial and commercial property practices with an increased breadth and depth of experience in banking & finance presents a very exciting opportunity.  It will offer clients a regional alternative for corporate banking advice in circumstances where they might otherwise have gravitated towards larger legal centres such as Cambridge or London.  It is a fantastic, forward-looking opportunity and I am excited about the growth we can achieve together.”

Phil’s areas of specialism include;

–                  leveraged finance / acquisition finance

–                  real estate finance

–                  asset-based lending

–                  corporate credit & working capital facilities

–                  subordinated debt

–                  corporate treasury / derivatives

–                  balance sheet management

–                  debt rescheduling and restructuring

Phil’s practice is both domestic and cross-border and he has extensive experience in structuring, negotiating and implementing financing transactions for domestic and international banks, financial institutions, specialist lenders, funds and corporate borrowers (from start-up to FTSE 100).

Paul Forsyth, Partner and Head of Corporate and Commercial at Ellisons, said: “Phil has more than 25 years’ experience in banking and finance legal practice, having worked with a magic circle firm, a regional firm and US firms in the City. We are thrilled to welcome him to Ellisons and know he will be a pivotal force as we look to expand our offering for our growing client base.”