Sullivan
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For more than 25 years, Sullivan partners have provided legal representation to the world’s leading trade finance practitioners in all aspects of their businesses, from asset acquisition to distribution to securitizations. We advise clients concerning their activities throughout the world, with a special emphasis on the emerging markets of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America.

Sullivan has been recognized with numerous awards and consistent recognition, including:

  • Chambers UK, 2027 ranked Sullivan in Band 1 for Commodities: Trade Finance (UK-wide). Partner Geoffrey Wynne is ranked as a ‘Star Individual’ – the only lawyer in the UK included in this category; Simon Cook is Band 1-ranked in the guide’s Commodities: Trade Finance (UK-wide) category, Robert Parson is ranked in Band 2, and Mark Norris and Veronika Koroleva are both ranked in Band 3.
  • Chambers Global, 2026 recognised Sullivan in its 2026 Africa-wide Banking & Finance table, and Simon Cook and Mark Norris were included as notable practitioners in the Africa-wide Banking & Finance spotlight section.
  • Trade, Treasury & Payments (TTP) named Sullivan "Best Law Firm – Trade and Commodities" at the inaugural Trade, Treasury & Payments Awards in 2026.
  • The Legal 500 UK, 2027 ranked the firm in Tier 1 for Trade Finance. In addition, Geoffrey Wynne, Simon Cook and Robert Parson were recognised in the "Hall of Fame," with Mark Norris recognised as a "Leading Partner." Daniela Barrdear was recognised as a "Next Generation Partner," Geraldine Butac was recognised as a "Leading Associate" and Marian Boyle was recognised as a key member of the practice.
  • IFLR1000, 2025 recognised Sullivan for Banking Lending – Lender Side, United Kingdom. Additionally, Geoffrey Wynne was ranked as a Leading Lawyer – Market Leader, and Simon Cook was recognised as a Leading Lawyer – Highly Regarded.
  • Global Trade Review (GTR) named Sullivan "Best Trade or Supply Chain Finance Law Firm” at the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards in 2026. GTR also named Sullivan "Best Export Finance Law Firm" at the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards in 2023. The firm was also named “Best Trade or Supply Chain Finance Law Firm” at the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards in 2022, “Law Firm of the Year” in the category Leaders in Trade for Innovation at the 2021 GTR Leaders in Trade Awards and “Best Trade Finance Law Firm” at the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards in 2020 and 2019.
  • Trade Finance Global (TFG) honored Sullivan with the "Legal Innovation in Trade" award at its Trade, Treasury and Payment Awards 2023. In addition, Sullivan was named "Best Trade Finance Law Firm" in its International Trade Awards in 2022 and 2019.

Our practice is multi-disciplinary, involving lawyers who are experts in trade and export finance, project finance, asset finance, securitization, securities law, insurance, tax, compliance issues and dispute resolution. We have advised on deals involving all types of commodities including softs, metals, oil and gas.

The Group is able to advise on transactions involving English law and New York law as its main law. With its extensive network of law firms across the globe, it can cover all cross-border issues and provide advice on local law issues.

In addition to trade and commodities finance, the firm’s London practice is linked closely to our U.S. practice and the needs of our clients worldwide. We have broadened and enhanced our existing practices in cross-border finance, mergers and acquisitions, tax, banking and international arbitration.

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Geoffrey Wynne Discusses the Future of Trade Finance Education in the Age of AI
Geoffrey Wynne, partner at Sullivan & Worcester and head of its Trade & Export Finance Group, joined Alex Gray, Director of Trade and Transaction Banking at the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF), for a discussion with Eleonore Treu, Director of Trade Finance Week at ICC Austria, at the ITFA Annual Conference in Split, Croatia. The conversation explored how artificial intelligence is changing the skills required in trade finance, the importance of professional training and the continued need for experienced human oversight. Geoff highlighted the risks of relying too heavily on automated processes, particularly in identifying fraud, and the value of practical experience in developing the next generation of trade finance professionals. For more information and to watch the full video, please click here.
Who Lends to Commodity Borrowers Without a Track Record?
Geoffrey Wynne has contributed to an article for Trade Treasury Payments (TTP), by Eleanor Hill, titled “Who Lends to Commodity Borrowers Without a Track Record?”, following the second 2026 Sullivan and TTP co-hosted Trade and Commodity Finance Breakfast Club, held on Tuesday, 15 September at The Lansdowne Club in London. The discussion, which was moderated by Geoff, featured Tanya Epshteyn at Czarnikow Group, James Lowrey at Lloyds Bank and John MacNamara at Carshalton Commodities. The article explores the challenges facing smaller and emerging commodity traders seeking access to finance, despite abundant market liquidity. Drawing on discussions moderated by Geoff, it examines the importance of collateral control, borrower equity, risk management and innovative financing structures, while considering how businesses can establish the track record needed to secure funding. Read the full article and watch the discussion on TTP⁠, here.
Sullivan’s Trade Finance and Venture Capital Practices Recognised by Chambers UK 2027
London, UK - International law firm Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has been recognised in the Chambers UK 2027 guide, with leading rankings for its Trade & Export Finance practice and individual recognition for lawyers across its London Trade Finance and Emerging Companies & Venture Capital teams. Sullivan’s Trade & Export Finance practice has retained its Band 1 ranking in the UK-wide Commodities: Trade Finance category for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its position as a leading trade finance practice. Chambers UK describes Sullivan as having a “strong trade finance practice with considerable industry experience,” advising major banks, corporates and other international clients on receivables, commodity and export finance structures, particularly across Africa and the Middle East. Client feedback highlights the team’s technical expertise, commercial approach and responsiveness. One client comments: “Sullivan & Worcester distinguishes itself through deep, market-leading expertise in trade and commodity finance, combining strong technical capability with a highly commercial and solution-driven approach.” The guide highlights Sullivan’s work advising BAFT on the 2025 BAFT Master Trade Loan Agreement. The 2027 guide also recognises five members of the Trade & Export Finance team: Geoffrey Wynne – Star Individual and the only lawyer to receive this distinction in the category Simon Cook – Band 1 Robert Parson – Band 2 Mark Norris – Band 3 Veronika Koroleva – Band 3 Geoffrey Wynne is praised for his unrivalled industry knowledge, experience and commercial approach, with one client describing him as their “trade finance lawyer of choice.” Simon Cook is noted for his “outstanding service delivery and commercial awareness;” Robert Parson as a “specialist in trade finance;” Mark Norris as “a brilliant lawyer” and Veronika Koroleva, who recently joined Sullivan as counsel, is noted as having significant “depth of expertise.” Sullivan’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital practice also receives recognition, with partner James Shaw ranked in Band 4 in the UK-wide Private Equity: Venture Capital Investment category. Chambers UK describes James as a well-known figure in the UK venture capital market who regularly advises emerging companies in the UK, US and Europe on incoming investment. This recognition follows the arrival of a 10-lawyer Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team in June 2026, led by partners James Shaw, Iain Cockburn and Ben Williams. The team was named Growth Capital Team of the Year at The Lawyer Awards 2026 shortly before joining Sullivan. Geoffrey Wynne, head of Sullivan’s Trade & Export Finance practice and London office, said: “The firm is very pleased to retain its Band 1 ranking for Trade Finance and to see such strong individual recognition across the team. The feedback from clients is particularly encouraging and reflects the depth of expertise, commercial judgement and commitment that our lawyers bring to complex transactions. It is also pleasing to see recognition for our growing venture capital practice as we continue to strengthen our London practice offering.” James Shaw, who leads Sullivan’s Emerging Companies & Venture Capital team, added: “Recognition in Chambers UK is an important endorsement of the work we undertake for founders, growth companies and investors. As part of Sullivan’s wider international platform, we are well positioned to support clients through successive stages of growth and international expansion.” About Sullivan Sullivan is a premier, AmLaw 200 international law firm with lawyers in Boston, London, New York, Tel Aviv and Washington, D.C. Sullivan’s clients, including Fortune 500 companies, leading financial services firms and asset managers, boards of directors, real estate companies, and emerging businesses, rely on Sullivan’s ability to navigate complex legal and operational landscapes and its commitment to best-in-class client service.
Sullivan Expands London Trade & Export Finance Practice with Addition of Veronika Koroleva as Counsel
Sullivan & Worcester (Sullivan) has welcomed Veronika Koroleva as counsel in its market-leading Trade & Export Finance practice in London. Joining from Hill Dickinson, where she was Head of Trade Finance, Veronika brings extensive experience in trade and commodity finance, including structured trade, receivables and supply chain finance. Veronika’s arrival builds on the expansion of the practice following the additions of Robert Parson and Matthew Cox as partners in 2025 and counsel Geraldine Butac in 2026. Recently named Best Trade or Supply Chain Finance Law Firm at the GTR Leaders in Trade Awards 2026, the team continues to strengthen its commodities capability and its offering to banks, funds, traders and other participants across the international trade finance market.

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