Mr James Gouwar > Clifford Chance > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

Noted for its robust structured products capability, Clifford Chance provides ‘actionable and practical advice on complex and novel mandates’, from structured real estate transactions and CLOs, synthetic credit risk transfer matters and mortgage-backed repos to over-the-counter derivatives and securities lending. Gareth Old, who specialises in risk transfer transactions, jointly leads the team alongside Lee Askenazi, who advises on all aspects of residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities, asset-backed securities and CLOs. Following the departure of David Felsenthal to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission in March 2022, Darren Littlejohn joined the firm from Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP in October 2022 and regularly advises on regulatory reforms concerning derivatives. Other key contacts in the group include Alistair Dunlop and Washington DC-based Robert Hagan, both of whom handle securitization and structured finance transactions, while James Gouwar focuses on tax aspects of mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations, as well as real estate mortgage investment conduits. All named partners operate from the firm’s office in New York, unless stated otherwise.

Noted for its expertise in the residential and commercial mortgage arenas, Clifford Chance represents clients in RMBS and CMBS transactions, with demonstrable capability establishing structures to comply with risk retention requirements for CLOs and advising on CRE CLOs in the US. The New York-based team, which is well-placed to collaborate with the firm’s tax group on mortgage-backed securities, counts asset-backed securitizations, marketplace and consumer lending, as well as student loan mandates, in its workload. Robert Villani, who advises on CLOs and consumer loan securitizations, jointly leads the practice alongside real estate expert Lee Askenazi, who focuses on CMBS and RMBS transactions, in addition to asset-backed securitizations. Jim Cotins and Matt Lyons handle the securitization of commercial real estate assets, while Washington DC-based Robert Hagan advises on private securitizations and re-securitization transactions of a range of asset classes. Other key contacts in the group include James Gouwar, who focuses on the tax aspects of structured finance transactions, Alistair Dunlop and Gareth Old.

With seasoned international tax expert David Moldenhauer at the helm, Clifford Chance’s tax practice handles a myriad of financial and business transactions, including REITs, fund formations and investments, securitizations and mortgage-backed securities. Michael Seaton heads up the firm’s renowned REIT offering; he is routinely engaged by public REITs on complex matters involving capital markets, M&A, and restructurings. Jim Gouwar is the first port of call for hedge funds and private equity funds, regulated investment companies and other vehicles on MBS transactions, while Paul Seraganian handles inbound and outbound tax planning projects. Philip Wagman and Avrohom Gelber are noted for their respective strengths in cross-border M&A and capital markets deals. Counsel Rebecca Pereira is further recommended for her cross-border financing acumen. All named individuals are located in New York.

Clifford Chance benefits from the firm’s global network of offices, enabling the team to assist clients with cross-border tax matters. It has considerable experience in funds and securitisation structures, as well as CLOs and derivatives. It also supports clients with mortgage-backed securities, which is an area of expertise for Jim Gouwar. David Moldenhauer sits at the helm of the practice in New York, and the team also consists of Michael Seaton, a specialist in REIT transactions, and Philip Wagman, who is skilled in securitisation transactions. Promoted to partner in May 2023, Rebecca Pereira is also a notable lawyer, and Kevin Colan joined the practice in September 2022 from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP; his client roster includes financial investors, sponsors, and corporates.