Sydney, 8 August 2013: Clayton Utz has significantly boosted its offering to its financial services industry clients with the appointment of Sonia Goumenis as a partner in the Firm's securitisation practice.
Sonia has over 12 years' experience in securitisation transactions, acting for a range of participants including sponsors, arrangers, facility providers, investors and trustees in both domestic and cross-border deals. Her experience covers a broad range of asset classes. She has acted for Australian issuers in establishing their global covered bond programmes and her experience also extends to debt capital markets issues, derivatives, structured products and portfolio acquisitions.
Sonia began her career at Clayton Utz as a graduate, becoming a partner in January 2008. She will return to the Firm to work in the national securitisation practice led by partner, Andrew Jinks. Andrew is widely recognised as one of Australia's leading securitisation lawyers, with over 25 years' experience in legal practice. Andrew joined Clayton Utz as a partner in August 2010, from Allens.
Sonia's practice and client base will strengthen and be supported by the services and market position of Clayton Utz as Australia's leading independent firm, with its strong domestic focus and broad-based practice and industry offering.
Andrew Jinks said Sonia's addition to the team met a strategic client need and growing demand for specialist services in the securitisation area.
"We anticipate that securitisation will be a significant growth area as confidence returns to the Australian and global debt capital markets and clients look to raise more capital through issues into both the domestic and international markets. This requires an in-depth understanding of regulatory changes and an ability to provide clients with innovative and cutting-edge product and services," Andrew said. "Sonia has built a strong reputation in the market and her appointment will add significantly to our ability to service our clients' needs in this area."