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Iona Misheva

Partner

Iona advises on a broad range of structured finance transactions across a variety of asset classes, including commercial real estate, whole business, receivables and residential mortgage loans in the UK and across Europe.
She regularly acts for financial institutions, funds, private equity firms and corporates. In particular, Iona specialises in the origination and work out of commercial real estate transactions, including CMBS, whole business securitisations and loan on loan transactions. She is also highly experienced in advising on auto finance, RMBS, portfolio acquisition transactions and forward flow arrangements.

Experience

Representative matters

A global financial institution as lender/purchaser in relation to multiple forward flow arrangements relating to auto and residential loans.

An alternative asset manager as junior lenders in respect of the set-up of an origination platform to fund the development of private residential properties, commercial properties and student accommodation in the UK.

A multinational financial institution as arranger in respect of a CMBS relating to life science business assets in The Netherlands and Germany.

An alternative credit provider, as seller and originator, on its debut public issuance and several subsequent public issuances, all backed by a portfolio of auto hire purchase agreements.

A global financial institution, as seller and servicer, on the public securitisation of high LTV residential mortgage loans.

A global fund on its acquisition of a circa EUR5bn portfolio of residential mortgage loans from Bank of Scotland and financings by way of multiple public securitisation and warehouse financings, including an innovative “match adjusted” securitisation designed for insurance company investors.

A bank as lender in relation to the establishment of a loan on loan platform to fund commercial real estate development loans.

A global fund as an investor in multiple residential mortgage backed securitisations. 

A bank as lender in relation to provision of back leverage in respect of a loan secured on commercial real estate. 

A global fund on the creation (in conjunction with an established originator), and financing, of a UK buy to let mortgage origination platform. 

Speaking Engagements

  • Moderator, Trends in the European markets panel, PCS London Symposium 2023
  • Moderator, CMBS panel, IMN Global ABS Conference 2021 and 2022
  • Moderator, CMBS panel, IMN Global ABS Conference 2019

Recognition

The quality of her advice and her commercial pragmatism is impressive.
(Chambers UK 2024)
Emerging partner talent Iona Misheva “has a nice balance between conservatism and pragmatism”.
(Legal500 UK, 2023)

Awards

  • Recognised as a Next Generation Partner (Legal500 UK, 2024, 2023, 2022)
  • Ranked in Band 4 (Chambers UK, 2024), recognised as “Up and Coming” (Chambers UK, 2023)

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as barrister and solicitor, New Zealand, 2008

Registered foreign lawyer, England and Wales, 2020

Academic

University of Auckland, 2007 (LL.B (hons) and B.Com)

Languages

Bulgarian, English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.