Bruce Johnston

Partner

London Phone +44.20.3201.5592 Fax +44.20.3201.5001

Condor House//5-10 St. Paul's Churchyard//London, EC4M 8AL//United Kingdom

Bruce Johnston advises both lenders and borrowers on banking and finance transactions in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, including acquisition finance, leveraged finance, project finance, structured finance, trade finance, asset-backed lending, private placements and asset finance. He also handles energy and infrastructure transactions and workouts and restructurings. A client notes in Chambers Global that "His ability to synthesise an argument and ensure your case is put forward to the other side is second to no lawyer that I have worked with. He brings an excellent commercial acumen to any legal negotiation."

Awards and Affiliations

Recognized, Best Law Firms for Debt Capital Markets, United Kingdom (Recommended), Leaders League and Décideurs (2021)

Recognized, Projects (Energy), London, The Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom (2020, 2021)

Recommended, Banking and Finance: Lender or Arranger Side, Russia, The Legal 500 EMEA (2020, 2021)

Recommended, Banking and Finance: Borrower Side, Russia, The Legal 500 EMEA (2019)

Recommended, Projects, Energy and Natural Resources: Oil and Gas, The Legal 500 UK (2013–2022)

Recommended, Industry Focus: Emerging Markets, The Legal 500 UK (2021, 2022)

Recommended, Finance: Debt Capital Markets, The Legal 500 UK (2020, 2022, 2023)

Recommended, Finance: Emerging Markets, The Legal 500 UK (2013–2020)

Recommended, Finance: Bank Lending: Investment Grade Debt and Syndicated Loans, The Legal 500 UK (2013–2019)

Highly Regarded, IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2021, 2022)

Notable Practitioner, IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate (2018–2020)

Band 1, Banking and Finance (Expertise Based Abroad), Russia, Chambers Global (2018, 2019)

Ranked, Banking and Finance (Expertise Based Abroad), Russia, Chambers Global (2020–2022)

Ranked, Banking & Finance (Foreign Expertise), UK, Chambers Global (1995–2015, 2017, 2019, 2021)

Ranked, Banking & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad, Russia, Chambers Europe (2021)

Band 1, Banking & Finance: Lawyers Based Abroad, Russia, Chambers Europe (2019)

Ranked, Real Estate, Russia, Chambers Europe (2012–2018)

Recommended, Banking & Finance, Pravo.ru-300 (2020)

Recognized, Legal Media Group’s Energy and Environment Expert Guides (2018)

Recommended, The Legal 500 EMEA (2013–2014, 2017)

Recognized, Euromoney's Guides (1995–2017)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Energy, Law360 (2016)

Recognized, Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom (2009–2016)

Recognized, Legal Media Group’s Banking, Finance and Transactional Expert Guides (2016)

Ranked, Chambers UK (1995–2014)

Recognized, London Super Lawyers (2013–2014)

Named Finance Team of the Year 2012 by Legal Business

Named Leveraged Finance Deal of the Year 2012 by Euroweek

Named Project Finance Deal of the Year 2011 by Project Finance International

Admissions

England & Wales (Solicitor)

Education

Monash University, 1982, LLB
Monash University, 1980, BA
University of Melbourne, Australia, 1986, LLM

Sectors

Services

Regions

Events

4/5/2022 - Fund Formation and Investment

3/17/2022 - Update on US, UK, EU Sanctions and Russia Countermeasures and Impact on Industries

3/2/2022 - Update on US, UK, EU Sanctions Against Russia

5/20/2021 - USD LIBOR Transition: The End Game

6/5/2019 - 2019 Technology May-rathon: Brexit & Life Sciences

10/11/2018 - The US and EU Russia Sanctions: What Is, What's to Come, and How to Deal With All This

4/26/2018 - 2018 Private Investment Funds Summit

9/20/2017 - US Sanctions and Russia: Latest Developments

9/21/2016 - Brexit: What You Need to Know Now

8/2/2016 - Finance Practice Group Training Program — August 2016

6/3/2015 - Debt Capital Markets Global Trends and Hot Topics

5/12/2015 - Pan-European And Us: Private Placement Markets

3/24/2015 - Oil & Gas Breakfast Series

7/22/2014 - Economic and Political Environment in Ukraine and Russia

3/25/2014 - Ukraine and Russia: Report on Sanctions and Related Concerns

3/24/2014 - Webinar Discussion Regarding the Dispute Between Ukraine and Russia

3/12/2014 - Kazakhstan Insight for Bankers, Investors, and Finance Lawyers

11/13/2013 - 10th Anniversary Syndicated Loans CEE Conference

11/5/2013 - FATCA for Bankers and Finance Lawyers

5/22/2013 - Euromoney Seminars’ 5th Annual Syndicated Loans Russia & CIS Conference

11/14/2012 - 9th Annual Syndicated Loans CEE Conference

News

3/1/2022 - Russian Foreign Debt Moratorium Would be 'Very Last Resort', Believe Market Participants, GlobalCapital

2/23/2022 - Sanctions Threaten U.K.’s Position as Playground for Russian Oligarchs, The Wall Street Journal

2/11/2022 - How Russian Sanctions Could Impact Aviation Sector, Cirium

10/28/2021 - Morgan Lewis Team Advises on IFLR Middle East M&A Deal of the Year

9/14/2021 - Tough Legacy: Final Piece of the Sterling Libor Jigsaw, IFLR Practice Insight

3/16/2021 - Morgan Lewis Lawyers Ranked in Pravo.ru-300 Guide for 2020

1/11/2021 - Morgan Lewis Advises EnTrust Global in Financing for United Arab Chemical Carriers Acquisition

7/13/2020 - Sense of the Markets: UK's Rushed Insolvency Law a 'Mixed Bag,' The Deal

6/30/2020 - Hasty UK Insolvency Law Gives Unequal Rights to Creditors, GlobalCapital

1/17/2020 - Pressure on LIBOR Stragglers Increases, Boersen-Zeitung

7/10/2019 - Morgan Lewis Advises EBRD on Financing of Solar Project in Kazakhstan

2/12/2019 - Morgan Lewis Advises on Acquisition of Abercrombie & Kent

8/1/2018 - Morgan Lewis Advises on $1.66B Refinancing of One of Turkey’s Largest Industrial Businesses

11/1/2017 - Morgan Lewis Advises Pantheon International Plc on Share Capital Reorganization

4/18/2017 - Morgan Lewis Practices and Lawyers Earn Highest Recognition in Legal 500 EMEA 2017 Guide

2/6/2017 - Morgan Lewis Advises Nord Gold SE on US$150 Million Facility from ING N.V.

1/18/2017 - Morgan Lewis Advises Sberbank (Switzerland) AG on $165 Million Prepayment for SUEK AG

12/16/2016 - Morgan Lewis Advises ING Bank and Citibank on $800m Preexport Finance Facility for EuroChem

12/9/2016 - Morgan Lewis Advises Sumitomo Corporation in Announced Agreement for a Recommended Cash Offer for Fyffes plc

12/9/2016 - Sumitomo Readies $802M Buyout Of Irish Banana Co. Fyffes, Law360

9/15/2016 - Morgan Lewis Boston Office to Host British American Business Council of New England Panel on Brexit Implications

5/10/2016 - Chambers & Partners Recognizes Leading Morgan Lewis Lawyers in 2016 Europe Guide

1/26/2016 - Morgan Lewis Hosts Women’s Leadership Event and Global Trends Conference in Dubai

12/17/2015 - Opportunity Calls in Africa: Tap Our Finance/Restructuring Services

12/11/2015 - Morgan Lewis Singled Out by Clients in Distinguished Legal 500 UK Guide

9/18/2015 - Morgan Lewis Advises Natixis on $750m Pre-Export Finance Facility for Eurochem

6/22/2015 - Morgan Lewis Lawyers Contribute to New Book on Oil & Gas in Africa

4/15/2015 - Morgan Lewis Practices, Lawyers Earn Top-Tier Recognition by Legal 500 EMEA 2015 Guide

9/12/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional U.S. Sanctions Against Russia

9/8/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional EU Sanctions Against Russia

7/31/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional U.S. and EU Sanctions as of 7/31/2014

7/16/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additions to the United States Sectoral Sanctions Identifications and Specially Designated Nationals Lists

7/1/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Status of Sanctions as of 07/1/2014

5/13/2014 - Morgan Lewis Advises FWU Group on Second Tranche of US$100M Islamic Bond

4/28/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional U.S. and EU Sanctions as of 4/28/2014

4/14/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional EU Sanctions (view PDF)

4/11/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Additional U.S. Sanctions (view list)

4/4/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Status of U.S. Sanctions as of 04/04/2014

3/27/2014 - Morgan Lewis Advises Sberbank Europe AG on its Debut Syndicated Loan Facility

3/20/2014 - Russia/Ukraine: Status of U.S. Sanctions as of 3/20/14

3/19/2014 - Update: Russia/Ukraine Situation

10/9/2013 - Morgan Lewis Advises FWU Group on First Islamic Bond on Life Insurance Contracts

9/4/2012 - Morgan Lewis Advises Statoil on Rosneft Exploration Projects Agreement

8/13/2012 - Morgan Lewis Advises Atyrau Refinery on $297.5 Million Financing Package with JBIC and Japanese Banks

6/11/2012 - Morgan Lewis Concludes Recent International Expansion with Announcement of New Co-Managing Partners in London, Arrival of One More Partner, Hiring of Associates, Trainees, Staff

Publications

2/7/2023 - UK High Court Sets Guidance on Appropriation of Financial Collateral in ABT Auto v. Aapico Investments

10/7/2022 - Update: EU Introduces Its 8th Wide-Ranging Sanctions Package Against Russia

4/20/2022 - Update: Delisting of Russian Issuers’ Depositary Receipts – The End of an Era?

3/1/2022 - Update: European Union Agrees on Further Sanctions on Russia

2/23/2022 - United States Issues New Economic Sanctions Against Russia

2/11/2022 - UK Bolsters Sanctions Powers Against Russia

9/23/2021 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—US/EU (& UK) Overview (and Russian Countersanctions)

7/8/2021 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—US/EU (& UK) Overview (and Russian Countersanctions)

October 6, 2020 (Updated December 10, 2020) - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—Overview and Energy Sector Focus (and Emerging Russian Countersanctions) – December 2020

8/27/2020 - Corporate Insolvency Reform: Moratorium-Blockers And Super-Priority Debt, Practical Law

6/29/2020 - Strange Effects of the UK’s New Insolvency Law

4/20/2020 - UK Government Launches New Loan Guarantee Programme for UK Businesses

4/7/2020 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—Overview and Energy Sector Focus (and Emerging Russian Countersanctions) — March 2020

3/25/2020 - UK Government – ‘£330 billion of Guarantees’

2/3/2020 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—Overview and Energy Sector Focus (and Emerging Russian Countersanctions) — January 2020

9/20/2019 - Changes to UK Retail Price Index Will Have Impact on Contracts

9/12/2019 - Changes to UK Retail Price Index Will Have Impact on Contracts

8/26/2019 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—Overview and Energy Sector Focus (and Emerging Russian Countersanctions) — January 2019

5/1/2019 - The Phaseout of LIBOR: Contracting for the Unknown

1/30/2019 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update—Overview and Energy Sector Focus (and Emerging Russian Countersanctions) — January 2019

9/26/2018 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update — Overview and Focus on the Energy Sector (and the New Russian Countersanctions) — September 2018

7/30/2018 - US and EU Russia Sanctions Update — Overview and Focus on the Energy Sector (and the New Russian Countersanctions) — July 2018

4/26/2018 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – April 2018

2/16/2018 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – February 2018

11/22/2017 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – November 2017

9/18/2017 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – September 2017

8/3/2017 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – August 2017

8/3/2017 - US Enacts New Sanctions Against Russia

1/16/2017 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – January 2017

9/16/2016 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – September 2016

8/9/2016 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – August 2016

6/27/2016 - Bonfire of the Legalities?*

4/7/2016 - New Blocks on Enforcements of Share Mortgages

1/19/2016 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – January 2016

12/23/2015 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – December 2015

11/13/2015 - Financing of Infrastructure Projects in Africa, The Lawyer’s Chronicle

11/12/2015 - Financing of Infrastructure Projects in Africa, World Stage

9/24/2015 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – September 2015

4/8/2015 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – April 2015

1/30/2015 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – January 2015

12/23/2014 - Update on US and EU Russia Sanctions – Energy Sector Focus – December 2014

9/17/2014 - Webinar: Update on Recent Russian Sanctions Enacted by the EU and US

7/22/2014 - Webinar: New U.S. Sanctions Adopted on July 16 Related to the Ukraine/Russia Situation

3/25/2014 - Ukraine and Russia: Report on Sanctions and Related Concerns

3/17/2014 - Update on Economic Sanctions Triggered in Reaction to the Crisis in Ukraine

4/16/2013 - Cyprus Bailout: Potential Recourse For Lost Investments, Law360

4/12/2013 - Cyprus Bailout: Potential Recourse for Lost Investments

12/7/2012 - Major Stimulus for Investment into New UK Gas-Fired Power Stations

8/16/2012 - US Regulation of European OTC Derivatives

6/14/2012 - UK Financial Services Regulatory Structure Facing Major Reforms