Mayer Brown Welcomes Ashton and Bates to Strengthen Capital Markets Team

Mayer Brown, one of the world's top law firms specializing in capital markets and securities, has made significant additions to its team. Effective today, Scott Ashton has joined the firm as a partner, while Brian Bates has taken on the role of senior counsel. Both will operate from the firm's London office, enhancing the practice's capabilities in the competitive capital markets sector.

Expertise in Cross-Border Securities Offerings

Scott Ashton and Brian Bates bring with them a wealth of experience, focusing on cross-border securities offerings. Their work primarily revolves around representing issuers and placement agents in various capital market transactions, including private placements and offerings of both debt and equity. Their specialization includes advising non-U.S. entities looking to make cross-border private placements aimed at U.S. financial institutions and pension funds.

The duo's impressive track record includes involvement in approximately 30% of the total cross-border U.S. private placement debt issuance recently. This positions them among the most prolific practitioners in the sector, with a respected reputation for their knowledge and insight.

Shaping the Industry Standards

In addition to their client advisory roles, Ashton and Bates have been pivotal in developing industry standards for cross-border private placements. They have had a central influence in creating the Loan Market Association’s private placement documentation and contributed to model forms developed by the American College of Investment Counsel. Their involvement in setting these standards showcases their commitment to enhancing the framework within which these transactions occur, thereby benefiting the broader market.

A Growing Demand for Institutional Debt Placements

The addition of Ashton and Bates comes at a time when institutional debt private placements are becoming increasingly important, especially for financing infrastructure and energy projects. Recognizing this trend, Jon Van Gorp, a senior figure at Mayer Brown, stated, "The addition of Scott and Brian further boosts our leading position in debt capital markets. We're pleased to welcome them to the firm, and we know their experience will benefit our clients immensely."

Mayer Brown's Standing in the Legal Community

Mayer Brown is consistently recognized as a premier law firm in the capital markets space. It has been ranked among the top 25 law firms for capital markets by The Legal 500 Worldwide and is acknowledged by Chambers USA in the categories of Capital Markets Investment Grade Debt and High Yield Products. The firm has also earned accolades from IFLR1000 in Capital Markets Debt and High Yield across various regions, reflecting its prominent status in the industry.

In 2025, Mayer Brown ranked as the second issuer's counsel in the U.S. Debt and Equity-related tables as per LSEG league tables. Its high rankings underscore the firm's significant role in advising both issuers and underwriters, and the addition of Ashton and Bates is poised to further amplify this impact.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mayer Brown’s strategic move to enhance its Capital Markets team with the addition of Scott Ashton and Brian Bates demonstrates the firm’s commitment to maintaining its leadership position in the legal sector for capital markets. Their combined expertise is likely to bring additional value to Mayer Brown’s clients while reinforcing the firm’s reputation as an authority in cross-border securities offerings. For ongoing updates and more information about Mayer Brown's services, visit mayerbrown.com.