Global law firm Clifford Chance has hired Taner Hassan and Silvia Menendez as Partners, adding significant leveraged finance expertise to its global Private Capital offering. Both are rejoining Clifford Chance, having previously been at the firm.
Taner is one of the market’s most experienced leveraged and infrastructure finance lawyers. He advises private equity houses on a broad range of financing transactions, including leveraged and infrastructure finance buyouts and sales, public takeovers, mergers, joint ventures, IPOs, restructurings and refinancings. He also advises portfolio companies on a wide range of financing matters.
Taner will rejoin Clifford Chance as a partner based in London, from Paul Weiss where he was most recently Head of European Leveraged Finance.
Silvia advises sponsors, borrowers and financial institutions on leveraged and infrastructure finance transactions across European and international markets. Qualified in England and Wales, Spain and New York, she brings strong global client relationships, broad product experience and the ability to advise across jurisdictions.
Silvia will join Clifford Chance as a Partner, having previously practised in the firm’s London office before joining Paul Weiss. Her appointment adds to the firm’s European leveraged finance capabilities and the support available to clients on cross-border matters.
The appointments continue Clifford Chance’s investment in global private capital, focused on areas where clients need increasing depth and international reach.
Clifford Chance’s Private Capital partners work closely across practices and markets, bringing top-tier transactional and financing expertise together throughout the investment lifecycle. Clients can draw on joined-up advice across M&A, leveraged and infrastructure finance, private credit, equity, funds, portfolio matters, refinancings, restructurings and exits.
Emma Matebalavu, Global Head of Debt Finance, comments:
“Our strategy remains clear: we are growing our global Private Capital offering with exceptional lawyers who will work collaboratively to continue to deliver excellent service for our clients. Taner and Silvia are outstanding additions, bringing deep expertise, strong client relationships and practices that complement our own. We are delighted to welcome them back to Clifford Chance.”
Taner Hassan said:
“I know first-hand the calibre of Clifford Chance and, above all, its people. The firm has built an exceptional global Private Capital offering, bringing together deep M&A, transactional and financing expertise, which combined with unrivalled international reach, delivers outstanding results for clients. I’m delighted to be rejoining the firm and very much look forward to contributing to its continued success.”
Silvia Menendez commented on her appointment –
“I am excited to be returning to Clifford Chance. As Private Capital becomes increasingly global and complex, clients need advisers who can understand the full picture while navigating the detail of transactions. I am looking forward to supporting clients throughout the investment lifecycle, from origination and financing through to exit, helping to consistently deliver successful outcomes.”
Following the appointments of Taner and Silvia, Clifford Chance has now added nine global private capital lateral Partners so far in 2026. The senior hires span New York, London, Paris, Madrid, Düsseldorf and Luxembourg and include Michal Netanyahu, Charles B. Tanenbaum, Christopher Phillips-Hart, Matthias Kerbusch, Patrick Tardivy, Paul Loisel and most recently Thyl Hassler.
