International law firm CMS is pleased to announce the appointment of John Dawson as a partner in its Finance Group in London. John joins from Vinson & Elkins, where he was a partner.

John, who brings nearly 20 years of experience to CMS, focuses his practice on advising borrowers, lenders and investors on the full spectrum of financings in the private debt markets.  He has extensive experience working on public and private acquisition financings, fund financings and special situations lending and restructurings. His clients include leading venture capital firms, private equity funds, hedge funds, commercial banks, investment banks and corporate borrowers in the UK, Europe and internationally.

Patrick Donegan, partner in the Finance Group at CMS, comments: “John is an excellent finance lawyer with an impressive portfolio of clients across the private equity and venture capital funds space. He will be instrumental in enabling us to diversify our client base and deepen our offering to further capture opportunities, particularly in the alternative lending sector, an area where we see growth potential. We are delighted to welcome John to the firm.”

John’s experience in special situations and distressed debt will also add to the firm’s capabilities and strengthen its position in delivering to clients comprehensive, end-to-end solutions for complex financing and restructuring transactions.

Commenting on his move to CMS, John Dawson says: “Joining CMS fits well with how I envisage the next chapter of my practice. I am very much attracted to the firm’s full-service offering in venture capital and private equity, restructuring and fund structuring as well as its geographic footprint and sector expertise. I look forward to working with the teams in the UK and across Europe to bring new opportunities that lead to long-term growth and success.”

Forming part of the Finance Group, CMS’s corporate and leveraged finance team comprises specialists with knowledge and experience of high profile and complex finance transactions in a wide range of industries and markets. The firm regularly represents banks, funds, insurers, and other financial institutions, as well as corporates and private equity and technology investors in transactions across the spectrum.