About Alvino S. van Schalkwyk

Alvino van Schalkwyk is a results-oriented lawyer with a broad and sophisticated practice at the intersection of derivatives, structured products and complex financial transactions. He regularly represents major investment banks, private equity funds and corporate clients across UK, European and US markets, advising on the structuring of derivatives products and related transactions involving derivatives and other financial instruments. As a member of our Structured Products and Derivatives team, which is ranked by Chambers and The Legal 500 United Kingdom, Alvino has the know-how to execute high-quality derivatives transactions across a spectrum of product types and asset classes.

A trusted derivatives advisor

Clients turn to Alvino not only for his technical command of derivatives law, but also for the practical and commercial perspective he brings to every engagement. Having been on secondment with two major financial institutions, coupled with the independent relationships he’s developed with legal and business teams at some of the largest financial institutions, Alvino understands how clients think, how their internal teams operate and what they need from outside counsel. His practice is grounded in delivering strategic, commercially driven counsel, allowing him to function as a true extension of his clients' legal and business teams.

Alvino is recognized for his work advising on derivatives that are integral to leveraged finance transactions, high‑yield bond issuances, and major project and infrastructure deals. He also advises major financial institutions on the fund-level hedging transactions with major fund sponsors. He has particular experience in fixed income and foreign exchange, fund hedging, and holding company (Holdco) and private equity-level derivatives transactions.

In addition, Alvino actively participates in the International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA) and stays current with its latest documentation and developments.

Practice Focus

  • Derivatives and structured products
  • Fixed income, foreign exchange and commodities
  • Repurchase transactions
  • Securities lending
  • Standalone ISDA negotiations
  • Prime broker documentation
  • Fund sponsor hedging

Representative Experience

  • Assisted a major investment bank in providing hedging for a $5 billion multi-credit fund relating to the issuance of $3 billion senior secured notes and $1 billion junior secured notes. *
  • Assisted major financial institutions in providing a fund-level hedging solution to sponsors. *
  • Assisted a major financial institution in the review of hedge counterparty’s terms in Intercreditor Agreements and Facilities Agreements and prepared and negotiated loan-linked ISDA master agreements. *
  • Advised a major investment bank in its capacity as hedge coordinator on two finance packages worth approximately EUR 1 billion relating to the construction and maintenance of 15 stations on the Barcelona Metro. *
  • Advised a major investment bank in connection with a complex deal contingent transaction in relation to a take-private transaction of a consortium of private equity funds’ £1.4 billion recommended cash offer for a major PLC. *
  • Advised a major investment bank in its capacity as mandated hedge provider in relation to the financing aspects of a £4.2 billion acquisition. The deal was one of the largest European private equity buyouts since the coronavirus pandemic. *
  • Advised a major financial institution in respect of Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities (CMBS) transactions. *
  • Advised a major financial institution with respect to its LIBOR remediation process as a result of the discountenance of LIBOR. *
  • Assisted various financial institutions and corporate clients in negotiating ISDA Master Agreements and swap transactions. *
  • Advised clients with respect to the application of UK EMIR and associated derivative regulations to their derivative transactions. *
  • Advised a US investment firm in the launch of its ca. $1.2 billion fund with respect to derivatives documentation. *
  • Assisted an Islamic central bank in creating securities lending agreement templates for local bank counterparties. *
* Experience prior to Katten

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Practices
Industries
Education
  • Harvard Law School, LLM
  • Stellenbosch University, LB
Professional & Community Involvement
  • International Swaps and Derivatives Association (ISDA)
  • Fund Finance Association
Recognitions
Recognized or listed in the following:
  • The Legal 500 United Kingdom
    Finance: Derivatives and Structured Products, Recommended Lawyer, 2025
Award Methodologies