Cadwalader boosts securitization staff

Adam Blakemore will join Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft as a partner while David Burke was appointed special counsel. Both will work from the firm’s London office. Blakemore was formerly a lawyer with Allen & Overy. In his new role, Blakemore will advise financial institutions and corporations on tax issues in structuring complex domestic and cross-border transactions, particularly in securitization and innovative structured finance; joint ventures, acquisitions, and disposals; reorganisations in solvent and distressed debt situations; and real estate and private equity financings. He will also provide counsel on domestic tax litigation and disputes. Meanwhile, Burke’s focus is on U.K. and international corporate tax, specifically the tax aspects of structured finance and restructuring transactions. He handles tax issues arising from the origination and securitization of loan and property portfolios and advises issuers, arrangers and managers on CDO/CLO and cat bond transactions. He has also worked on several major restructurings and advised U.S. and other investors on their U.K. operations and investments.