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Faegre Drinker announced today that Eleni Zodiates has joined the firm as a partner in its finance and restructuring group in London.
“Eleni’s deep experience of UK and cross-border financing transactions will further enhance the firm’s ability to advise clients on complex, multi-jurisdictional, finance and restructuring matters,” said London finance and restructuring partner Patrick Corr. “Her practical and commercial approach, longstanding relationship with our team, along with her proven track record supporting private equity, real estate, and corporate clients align with our commitment to innovative solutions, exceptional client service and collaboration. I’m delighted to welcome Eleni to the team.”
Widely recognized as an up-and-coming leader and dealmaker, she has been named a “Real Estate Finance Rising Star of the Year” finalist by the Real Estate Capital Europe Awards 2023 — the only lawyer on the list — for her work on an $800 million global refinancing of a hotel group. She also earned a nomination for “Rising Star” in Law.com International’s 2024 “British Legal Awards.” IFLR named Zodiates a finalist for the 2024 Europe “Women Dealmakers Hall of Fame” award. She also has been recognized as “Dealmaker of the Year” in the Global Legal Post’s Women & Diversity in Law Awards 2024 for her exceptional work on a global refinancing and contribution to the UK legal profession.
Zodiates maintains a broad finance practice; she brings experience in a wide range of sophisticated, international financings, including corporate finance, special situations, real estate finance, fund finance, litigation finance and asset-backed lending. Zodiates represents established private equity funds, real estate firms and developers, corporations and emerging entities including venture capital funds and hedge funds. Familiar with the financing arrangements of many organizations and industries, Zodiates works proactively with her clients to ensure their financial and investment goals are met.
Since the establishment in 2020 of an international restructuring and insolvency practice led by Corr and his team of corporate restructuring attorneys, including partners Wayne Beck and Buvini Kularatne, the London office has experienced significant strategic growth in its cross-border finance and restructuring capabilities. In 2023, the firm welcomed finance partner Gary Bellingham, a longtime colleague and mentor of Zodiates. In 2024 and 2025, the firm worked to support the market-leading finance and restructuring practice and expand the London office’s capabilities further with the hire of contentious and non-contentious regulatory partner, Steven Francis, cross-border litigation partner, Jeremy Andrews, and investment management partner, Michelle Moran.
“Eleni is an innovative and trusted figure in the financial services industry, and her relentless client focus fits well with Faegre Drinker’s approach to client work” said London office leader Alex Denny. “Her dedication to serving her colleagues and clients will be a tremendous asset, and her arrival underscores Faegre Drinker’s continued approach of ensuring our team can meet the needs of all kinds of clients – from multinational corporations to burgeoning startups – and ensure they have access to any kind of financial service they require.”
“Eleni’s breadth of experience in international financing brings tremendous value to our clients in the U.S. and around the world,” said Mike Pompeo, leader of Faegre Drinker’s financial services sector team. “Eleni brings a wealth of energy, institutional knowledge and a solutions-oriented approach, all while staying laser-focused on achieving the best outcomes for her clients.”
Alongside the firm’s hire of Eleni Zodiates, the firm also welcomed associate Aidan Dobney to the team, furthering Faegre Drinker’s finance and restructuring capabilities in London. Dobney joins Faegre Drinker from an international law firm, where he worked as a real estate finance associate. He has acted for developers, real estate investment firms and banks through each step of the real estate acquisition and development process.
