McDermott, Christian F.

Christian F. McDermott

Partner

christian.mcdermott@lw.com
    McDermott, Christian F.

    Christian F. McDermott

    Partner

    christian.mcdermott@lw.com
    "Christian McDermott has expertise in the IT space, conducting technology-related transactions for clients as well as handling work in the emerging technology space."

    The Legal 500 UK 2023

    Next Generation Partner – IT and Telecoms

    The Legal 500 UK 2023

    Profile

    Christian McDermott, an experienced technology lawyer, advises clients on large-scale technology contracts, commercial collaborations, as well as fintech and payments transactions.

    Mr. McDermott advises global and UK-based clients — including major financial institutions as well as publicly listed, private, and emerging companies — on the development, use, and commercialization of technology, in particular:

    • Large-scale technology and outsourcing projects
    • Complex commercial collaborations
    • Fintech contracts
    • Established and emerging payments technologies
    • Licensing and distribution arrangements
    • Diligence on technology and fintech M&A and IPOs
    • Transitional services arrangements
    • General commercial law and intellectual property matters

    Mr. McDermott draws on more than a decade of experience with technology and fintech matters. He has a keen sense of what is at market, utilizes effective collaboration strategies, and has developed a reputation as a skilled negotiator who knows how to get deals done.

    Accolades

    • Ranked – Next Generation Partner for IT and Telecoms
      The Legal 500 UK 2021-2022   
    • Named a Key Lawyer for Fintech
      The Legal 500 UK 2021-2022   
    • Named a Key Lawyer for Venture Capital
      The Legal 500 UK 2021
    • Ranked - Next Generation Lawyer for Commercial Contracts
      The Legal 500 UK 2017

    Experience

    Mr. McDermott’s representative transactions include advising:

    Outsourcing and Technology

    • A global retail and investment bank on the multi-billion Euro global outsourcing of its investment banking IT infrastructure
    • A leading UK insurer on both: the outsourcing of policy administration activities; and the outsourcing of certain IT and business processes
    • A global UK-headquartered retail and investment bank on the top-down renegotiation of its relationship with its biggest IT supplier, comprising individual hardware, software, and services streams
    • A European financial services provider on the formation of a joint venture with a leading US telecoms company, including the drafting and negotiation of various associated business and outsourcing arrangements, as well as the launch of a co-branded credit card
    • A global media company, negotiating framework services agreements with the client’s three main offshore service providers

    Fintech and Payments

    • Advising GTCR on their US$18.5 billion acquisition of majority stake in Worldpay from FIS
    • Goldman Sachs on the development of Marcus Invest, its UK Retail Investment Platform
    • Square in its acquisition of Verse Technologies, a Spain-based mobile payments application company
    • Thomas Cook Group plc on the payments-related aspects of its attempted rescue, in particular the renegotiation of arrangements with its three largest payment service providers
    • Interswitch on its strategic partnership with Visa, which made Interswitch one of the most valuable African FinTech businesses with a valuation of US$1 billion
    • A nation state on the development of a new domestic and international payments system, including the drafting the various underlying commercial contracts
    • CVC and Blackstone in connection with the £2.96 billion acquisition by a consortium comprised of Blackstone and CVC Capital, of Paysafe Group, a UK-based online payment solutions company
    • The underwriting banks on the US$2.4 billion IPO of Nets — Scandinavia’s largest payments processor  

    Qualifications

    Bar Qualification

    • England and Wales (Solicitor)
    • Scotland (Solicitor)

    Education

    • QLTT, College of Law, London, 2010
    • Master of Laws, Cambridge University, 2007
    • Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Edinburgh, 2006
    • Bachelor of Laws, University of Edinburgh, 2005
      First Class Honours

    Practices

    Industries

    Recognition

    illustration Geometric abstract background with connected line and dots,Futuristic digital background for Business Science and technology
    December 2, 2022Recognition

    Latham Earns Top Fintech Rankings Globally

    Chambers and The Legal 500 recognize Latham’s deep global fintech capabilities and track record of landmark mandates; firm earns Band 1 ranking in Chambers’ inaugural US Crypto-Asset Disputes category.

    General Recognition Thumbnail
    February 11, 2021Recognition

    Latham Earns Top Fintech Rankings Globally

    Firm recognized in Legal 500 and Chambers for depth and breadth of capabilities across globally integrated practices and track record of landmark mandates.

    News & Insights

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