Rising Stars

Firms To Watch: Commercial lending

The finance practice group at Blank Rome LLP is often retained for asset-based and leveraged cash-flow loan matters, with notable strength in the Philadelphia market and unitranche facilities.
Choate, Hall & Stewart lender-side practice, which specializes in asset-based lending, stands out for regularly assisting financial institutions and private credit clients with loans to borrowers in the sports and entertainment industries.

Commercial lending in United States

Akin

Akin features a debt finance practice dedicated to working with leading investors primarily on the borrower side, placing a particular focus on private credit and private equity financing and restructuring matters in a cross-border context. Primarily active in the private equity sphere, the firm advises on major leveraged buyouts, senior secured loans, bridge financings, and asset-based facilities, with Zachary Wittenberg leading the team from New York. In August 2022, Fred Lee departed the firm, which later welcomed Ranesh Ramanathan from Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Andrew Sagor from Baker McKenzie LLP in October 2022.


Practice head(s):

Zachary Wittenberg


Other key lawyers:

Ranesh Ramanathan; Andrew Sagor


Key clients

CEC Entertainment


Energy Harbor


FTAI Infrastructure


Genesis Energy


GTT Communications


Highland Homes Investments


Iron Point Real Estate Partners V


Loyalty Ventures


Sorenson Holdings


Atlas Credit Partners


Apollo Global Management


Centerbridge Partners


Francisco Partners


Kennedy Lewis Investment Management


Main Street Capital Corporation


Monarch Alternative Capital


Oaktree Capital Management


Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Purdue Pharma


Vista Credit Partners


Work highlights


  • Represented Loyalty Ventures in connection with the negotiation and closing of its $825m term and revolving credit facility.
  • Advised Sorenson Communications in a Series A Credit Facility, in an aggregate principal amount of $191m, and a Series B Credit Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $422.5m.
  • Represented Energy Harbor in connection with an amendment to its Zero Carbon Letter of Credit Facility and Guaranty Agreement, providing for, among other things, a new $75m Tranche B letter of credit facility with a Canadian bank.

Allen & Overy LLP

Allen & Overy LLP maintains a solid reputation for its leveraged finance capabilities, drawing attention from leading commercial banks, financial institutions, direct lenders, alternative capital providers and financial sponsors. The New York-based team, which is led by Jake Mincemoyer, a seasoned practitioner with wide expertise of leveraged and corporate transactions, is experienced in senior, asset-based, second-lien, mezzanine, and bridge financings as well as high yield debt offerings and restructurings; the group’s capabilities in representing lenders in a cross-border context are further supported by Todd Koretzky and senior counsel Joseph FurstRajani Gupta and Judah Frogel departed in September 2022, and Jin Hee Kim left the firm in June 2022.

Practice head(s):

Jake Mincemoyer


Other key lawyers:

Todd Koretzky; Joseph Furst; Stan Kostov; Alexandra de Padua; Mel Lee


Testimonials

‘High partner availability/responsiveness, with a strong team of counsels and associates. A&O tailored its approach to my preferred working rhythm, which made for a pleasant experience.’

‘Stan Kostov, Alexandra de Padua, and Mel Lee were all noteworthy. Their responsiveness, willingness to provide legal advice, and overall demeanor set them apart from their peers at other law firms.’

Key clients

Bank of America


Barclays


BMO Capital Markets


Citibank


Colfax Corporation


Credit Suisse


Deutsche Bank


Goldman Sachs


Jefferies


JPMorgan


Macquarie Capital


Morgan Stanley


MUFG


Nomura


RBC Capital Markets


Scotiabank


TD


Work highlights


  • Advised Goldman Sachs Bank Europe, as left lead arranger, administrative agent and collateral agent, in connection with a €564m term loan facility, a $60m term loan facility and a €40m multi-currency revolving credit facility to Technicolor Creative Studios and Technicolor Creative Services USA.
  • Advised Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, as administrative agent, in connection with a $1bn senior secured term B loan facility to supply chain provider Savage Enterprises.
  • Advised Morgan Stanley as lead arranger and administrative agent for Amendment No.2 that includes a $550m incremental first lien term loan B and $200m incremental first lien delayed-draw term loan for Zelis Healthcare.

Bracewell LLP

With a footing in the Texas market from both a lender and borrower perspective, Bracewell LLP is fully equipped to represent major foreign banks, energy companies and private equity funds in a wide range of transactions in the energy space. Among its key areas of expertise, it is often sought for advice on acquisition finance, syndicated lending, leveraged finance, reserved-based lending, and sustainability-linked loan facilities. The firm’s sizeable offering in Houston features Dewey Gonsoulin Jr, Heather Brown and Alan Rafte from the leadership team, with joint head Robin Miles leading the practice from New York, where Jeris Diana Brunette is another standout.

Practice head(s):

Dewey Gonsoulin Jr.; Heather Brown; Alan Rafte; Robin Miles


Other key lawyers:

Jeris Diana Brunette; William Ebert; Leslie Hansen; Kenni Callahan


Testimonials

‘The key characteristics that come to mind when I think of the Bracewell team are diversity and collaboration. I have collaborated with the Bracewell team on a number of financing transactions over the past 10 years and they have consistently displayed a client centric work ethic, thought leadership and an overall excellent work product that is delivered timely.’

‘Dewey Gonsoulin Jr. is a very strong attorney when it comes to representing lender interests in the oil & gas financing space. He has deep industry experience and has seen a number of lending products come and go. I find Dewey very helpful when representing my team on what would be considered a non-standard transaction. His knowledge and leadership of the legal negotiation process has proved invaluable.’

‘William Ebert is a very strong attorney with experience in the energy financing space. Will can always be counted on as a trusted advisor and is a very strong negotiator for his clients. I have been happy with all of the results that Will has generated to date.’

‘Leslie Hansen is a very strong subject matter expert on commodity derivative financing transactions and other structured financings. She has represented us on a number of negotiations, and we have been very happy with her work product and representation of the firm’s interests.’

‘Kenni Callahan is exceptionally responsive and thoughtful with all of our client needs.’

Key clients

Phillips 66


Kinder Morgan


Sysco Corporation


Beacon Offshore Energy Development


Comfort Systems USA


Targa Resources


Apache Corporation


Standard Solar


DCP Midstream Operating


DCP Midstream Partners


Pilot Water Solutions


Bank of America


JPMorgan Chase Bank


Citibank


Riverstone Credit Partners


Wells Fargo


UniCredit Bank


Société Générale


Crédit Agricole


MUFG


Work highlights


  • Represented Phillips 66 Company, as borrower, in a $5bn revolving credit agreement with Mizuho Bank as administrative agent.
  • Represented Sysco Corporation in connection with a $3bn unsecured, multi-currency revolving credit facility with an American multinational investment bank and financial services company.
  • Represented Targa Resources on several matters including in a revolving credit facility for $2.75bn, initially secured by substantially all assets of the borrower and its restricted subsidiaries.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is proactive in its advice to lenders, acting on leveraged financings, energy financings, second lien financings, asset-based lending transactions and letter of credit transactions. Led by Christopher McDermott and Jeffrey Nagle, the firm showcases further emphasis on cross-border commodities borrowing, including high-profile acquisition financings in the space. Special counsel Michael Lynch focuses on leveraged finance and bank loan transactions. The firm’s growth continues to be consolidated by the addition of new talent, with the arrival of  Angela Batterson to the firm's New York office from Jones Day in June 2022. Lawyers mentioned are in Charlotte unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Christopher McDermott; Jeffrey Nagle


Other key lawyers:

Michael Lynch; Angela Batterson


Key clients

Alternative Reference Rates Committee


Bank of America


BNP Paribas


Coöperatieve Rabobank


ING Capital


The Loan Syndications and Trading Association


MUFG Bank


Natixis


Société Générale


Wells Fargo


Work highlights


  • Advising the Alternative Reference Rates Committee in drafting recommended contractual fallback language for US Dollar LIBOR denominated bilateral business loans and securitizations.
  • Advising the Loan Syndications and Trading Association in the development of a suite of documents related to the replacement of LIBOR as a benchmark.
  • Represented BNP Paribas as administrative agent, collateral agent and lender in a $2.63bn first lien asset-based revolving credit facility, and a $125m committed subordinated second lien term loan facility for Freepoint Commodities.

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP

Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP‘s deep New York bench stands out as a prominent force in the lender market, handling an impressive volume of deals, illustrating its aptitude in debt restructurings, debt and equity offerings, refinancings and high-yield bond financings. The ‘market leading team‘ is often retained by top tier clients, which includes the likes of Credit Suisse, Citigroup, JP Morgan and Deutsche Bank. Standout members include James Clark, who sits at the executive committee with experience representing major investment banks and corporations, Jonathan Schaffzin, who is focused on work relating to public and private corporations. In January 2023, Corey Wright departed the firm, as did Lisa Collier. Jennifer Ezring left the firm in October 2023.

Other key lawyers:

James Clark; Jonathan Schaffzin


Testimonials

‘Market leading team, involved in almost every high-profile deal in the space.’

‘Cahill has long been a leader in leveraged finance. I am always happy to see them across the table, as they are one of the few law firms that can truly handle large, complex financings involving numerous financing products.’

Key clients

JPMorgan Chase Bank


Morgan Stanley & Co


Credit Suisse


Deutsche Bank


Citigroup Global Markets


Wells Fargo Securities


Jefferies Finance


Nomura Securities International


Mizuho Bank


Truist Securities


Work highlights


  • Represented financing sources in connection with the $16bn take private of Nielsen Holdings by investors led by affiliates of Elliott Investment Management and Brookfield Business Partners.
  • Represented the arrangers in connection with an amendment to a credit agreement with Caesars Entertainment, pursuant to which it incurred a new $750m term “A” loan and increased the commitments under its revolving credit facility to $2,25m.
  • Represented the administrative agent and lead arrangers in connection with an amended and restated $7,5bn revolving credit facility for T-Mobile USA.

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton

The New York-based debt finance practice at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton sees private equity firms, multinational corporations and government institutions such as American Tower Corporation, Alphabet and Brookfield Business Partners as key clients, offering tailored advice to a range of borrowers on investment grade deals, asset-based facilities, leveraged loans and refinancings. Duane McLaughlin, a name to note for bank lending and a variety of Latin America-related transactions, shares leadership of the team with Meme Peponis, a seasoned practitioner who focuses on acquisition and debt financings, with highlights including her representation of Starbucks in the refinancing of two syndicated revolving credit facilities, resulting in a new $3bn instrument. Amy Shapiro is also recommended, having led the firm’s involvement in a $9bn delayed term loan and a $2.5bn revolver provided to Corebridge Financial for its initial public offering.

Practice head(s):

Duane McLaughlin; Meme Peponis


Other key lawyers:

Amy Shapiro; Katherine Reeves


Testimonials

‘The right balance of legal, administrative and relationship skills employed with clients, counterparties and all parties involved in transactions is just what companies are looking for and what makes Cleary Gootlieb stand out.’

‘They are willing to go the extra mile, be it with the quality of the work or by learning the language that their clients speak.’

‘I’ve worked with this team for over 5 years now and would never consider changing. The level of knowledge of the business, industry, credit and debt facilities and debt finance market is second to none. They are extremely professional, responsive, and communicative.’

Key clients

JPMorgan


OpenText


Alcoa


Fullbeauty Brands


Post Holdings


American Tower Corporation


Doosan Bobcat


Western Digital Corporation


Verizon Communications


McCormick & Company


Sabre Corporation


Wafra


Warburg Pincus


Starbucks


Global Healthcare Exchange


Alphabet


Brookfield Business Partners


Cushman & Wakefield


Altaris Capital Partners


Work highlights


  • Represented Alphabet in its new $6bn multicurrency senior unsecured sustainability-linked five-year revolving credit facility and $4bn multicurrency senior unsecured sustainability-linked 364-day revolving credit facility.
  • Represented American Tower Corporation in the financing of the acquisition of CoreSite Realty Corporation for $170 per share in cash, and the financing aspect of the subsequent investment by Stonepeak.

Cooley LLP

Cooley LLP’s debt finance group places a large emphasis on the technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors, with close collaboration between offices in California, New York and Washington DC. Key areas of expertise include acquisition and structured financings, convertible note offerings as well as secured and unsecured credit facilities. Leading the team from San Francisco is Mischi Marca, a key contact for banks and private equity firms. In New York, Patrick Flanagan focuses on the representation of corporate borrowers in cross-border leveraged finance transactions, while Michael Tollini, a notable figure from the Washington DC offering, showcases strength in a wide range of secured lending matters.












Practice head(s):

Mischi a Marca


Other key lawyers:

Patrick Flanagan; Michael Tollini


Key clients

Tao Talents


Cytokinetics


BioXcel Therapeutics


Garnich Adjacent Investments


NetStreit


Malibu Boats


Madrigal Pharmaceuticals


Biote Corp


Work highlights


  • Advised global investment firm Tao Talents on its strategic investment in Blueprint Medicines, valued at $660m.
  • Represented NetSTREIT in its $600m sustainability-linked senior unsecured credit facility.
  • Represented Malibu Boats in its $350m amended and restated credit facility, consisting of a revolver that matures in July 2027.

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP

Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP is most distinguishable for its market-leading lender tailored advice, which is primarily sourced from the firm’s New York office and is supplemented by expertise on borrower matters, particularly in relation to working capital facilities, multicurrency, asset-based financings, leveraged spin-offs and direct lending transactions. Leadership of the practice is divided between managing partner George Zobitz, focused on complex syndicated loan and direct lending transactions, Tatiana Lapushchik, noted for her recent involvement in the acquisition of CMC Materials by Entegris through the arrangement of $3bn worth of senior secured credit facilities, and Stephen Kessing, a key name among financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity sponsors. Also active, Matthew Kelly stands out for his representation of administrative agents, lead arrangers and bookrunners. Michael Goldman retired from the practice in 2022.

Practice head(s):

George Zobitz; Tatiana Lapushchik; Stephen Kessing


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Kelly


Key clients

AMG


Ashland


Enerflex


Eurazeo


FactSet


Fortress


Gannett


Gopuff


Lindsay Goldberg


Occidental Petroleum


WestRock


Work highlights


  • Represented WestRock, as borrower, in the arrangement of $3.615 bn of credit facilities.
  • Represented Enerflex, as borrower, in the arrangement of $1.525bn of committed bank and bridge financing for its acquisition of Exterran.
  • Represented FactSet, as borrower, in the arrangement of $1.5bn of credit facilities to finance the acquisition of the CUSIP Global Services from S&P Global.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP retains its standing as a powerhouse in the commercial lending space from both a lender and borrower perspective, with a New York-based offering renowned for its impressive volume of lender representation. Led by James Florack and Jason Kyrwood, the group’s expertise extends to leveraged and investment-grade acquisition financing, direct lending, bridge loans, structured finance and asset-based lending. On the acquisition and leveraged finance front, Sartaj Gill acts for the likes of Atairos and Brookfield Capital Partners, while John Perry, an asset-based financing expert, sees Bain Capital and Cornell Capital as key clients. The team also features Nicholas Palumbo, who is active in restructurings and direct lending and private credit transactions, with Meyer Dworkin and Vanessa Jackson also key figures at the practice, with the former combining experience acting for US and multinational financial institutions and borrowers on banking and finance transactions.

Practice head(s):

James Florack; Jason Kyrwood


Other key lawyers:

Sartaj Gill; John Perry; Nicholas Palumbo; Meyer Dworkin; Vanessa Jackson


Key clients

Atairos


Brookfield Capital Partners


Bain Capital


Cornell Capital


Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Active on the borrower side, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP excels in a range of leveraged finance mandates, characterized by high-end advice on syndicated bank loans, high-yield debt offerings, second lien financings and mezzanine capital investments. Jeffrey Ross stands at the forefront of these New York-based efforts with extensive complex acquisition and leveraged financing expertise, which recently manifested into the team’s advice to Warner Bros. Discovery on the acquisition of WarnerMedia and the restructuring of a receivables purchase agreement. Other standout members include Ryan Rafferty and Scott Selinger, key names to note for private equity and corporate clients, and Ramya Tiller, who acts as co-head of the firm’s fund finance practice; their client portfolio includes Clayton, Dubilier & Rice as well as Carlyle Group.


Practice head(s):

Jeffrey Ross


Other key lawyers:

Ryan Rafferty; Scott Selinger; Ramya Tiller; Alena Thomas


Testimonials

‘The Debevoise team is very responsive and keeps on top of latest capital markets developments/precedents that may benefit their clients’ needs, including ideas that the client may not have thought about or considered. This type of counsel is valuable and much appreciated as it helps with operating flexibility and holding down financing costs. The Debevoise team is also easily reached and turns around requests very quickly.’

‘Scott Selinger and Ryan Rafferty have helped me considerably and impressed with their innovation, communication, helpfulness and fast response times. Most recently, Scott was instrumental in helping the company gain flexibility in a take private transaction. Alena Thomas also impresses with her thoroughness and quickness.’

‘Very smart and talented lawyers, can support all aspects of the business.’

‘Some of the smartest and most practical lawyers I’ve ever worked with.’

Key clients

Blackstone Group


Booz Allen Hamilton


Carlyle Group


Cerberus Capital Management


Clayton, Dubilier & Rice


Cloudera


Cornerstone Building Brands


Evergreen Coast Capital Corp.


Gogo


HarbourVest


Kelso & Company


KKR


Morgan Stanley Investment Management


Providence Equity


Prudential Financial


Stone Point Capital


Syniverse Holdings


TPG


Warner Bros. Discovery


White Cap Supply


Dechert LLP

Dechert LLP provides debt finance advice to both lenders and borrowers, with the firm advising some of the largest private credit funds, BDCs and other alternative asset managers on acquisition finance, senior credit facilities and restructurings. Jay Alicandri, Laura Swihart and Scott Zimmerman lead the practice from the firm’s New York office, sharing leadership of the team with Philadelphia-based David Forti. A key change to the practice was the arrival of William Robertson from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP in April 2022.

Practice head(s):

Jay Alicandri; David Forti; Laura Swihart; Scott Zimmerman


Other key lawyers:

William Robertson; Angelina Liang; Ed Newlands


Testimonials

‘Deep market knowledge for fund finance.’

‘Jay Alicandri is fantastic; very knowledgeable, commercial and easy to work with. Angelina Liang and Ed Newlands are talented, promising partners.’

‘The Dechert team is second to none. They represent the borrowers in this space in the vast majority of cases, so are intimately familiar with the quirks and preferences of every lender and even lender’s counsel.’

‘They understand the core direct lending business and the characteristics of the underlying assets, which makes them unrivaled in advising on the strengths and weaknesses of terms offered to our investment vehicles insomuch as terms would adversely affect or limit a portfolio or liquidity management. No other firm has this much experience in the US middle market direct lending space.’

‘Jay Alicandri is exceptional and trains his team to follow his standards. They are well staffed, highly responsive, highly thoughtful. Other strong colleagues include Ed Newlands and Sean Rosenthal. They are respectful to each other, high energy, and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Jay Alicandri values relationships. He is generous with his time and thoughts beyond the billed minute and this, in addition to this team’s outstanding work, engenders loyalty.’

Key clients

Barings


BC Partners


Blackstone


Blue Owl Capital


Bregal Partners


Centre Partners


Cerberus


Court Square Capital Partners


Deutsche Bank


FS Investments


GIC


Goldman Sachs


ING Capital


Liberty Lending


MiddleGround Capital


Moore Capital


Morgan Stanley Bank


One Equity Partners


Pretium Partners


Raymond James


Santander


Stella & Chewy’s


Sterling Investment Partners


Thoma Bravo


Work highlights


  • Advised Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors and its subsidiaries and joint ventures in more than 25 individual financings transactions totalling $27bn.
  • Advised GIC Special Investments Pte in connection with its $17bn acquisition of Athenahealth.

Eversheds Sutherland

Eversheds Sutherland‘s consumer lending expertise is evident from both a lender and borrower perspective, with the team showcasing familiarity with structured leveraged buyouts, mezzanine financings, working capital loans and multi-tranche facilities as well as real estate financing on behalf of lenders, developers and joint ventures. The Atlanta-based team, which is sought by clients in the transportation, telecoms, energy and infrastructure industries is co-led by Peter Fozzard and Christina Rissler, with the latter as a key name to note for LIBOR-based contracts and their amendment to new reference rates. Shawn Rafferty is another significant figure, focused on equipment financing needs.

Practice head(s):

Peter Fozzard; Christina Rissler


Other key lawyers:

Shawn Rafferty


Key clients

Georgia Transmission Corporation


Oglethorpe Power Corporation


Brazos Electric Power Cooperative


Work highlights


  • Represented Georgia Transmission Corporation in negotiating and documenting various financings, including a secured term loan with the Federal Financing Bank guaranteed by the Rural Utilities Service in the aggregate amount of circa $114m.
  • Advised Oglethorpe in connection with the offer and sale of $500m first mortgage bonds in an exempt offering pursuant to Rule 144A/Reg. S with registration rights.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP

With a strong footing in New York, Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP regularly advises private equity sponsors, major corporations, commercial and investments banks, global asset managers and alternative capital providers to provide high-quality advice on financings for M&A and recapitalizations as well as leveraged and fund-level transactions. The team, which is equally capable on lender- and borrower-side representation, is led by Christian Nahr, whose practice focuses on syndicated facilities, recurring revenue lending and hybrid structures. Other standout members include Daniel Bursky, a securities and leveraged finance specialist, Mark Hayek, an expert in acquisitions financing and restructurings, and Adam Summers, a key contact for lenders involved in high-profile financing transactions. Key developments in the team include the arrival of Duncan McKay from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in June 2022.

Practice head(s):

Christian Nahr


Other key lawyers:

Daniel Bursky; Mark Hayek; Adam Summers; Duncan McKay; Meredith Mackey; Michael Schneider


Testimonials

‘The firm’s lending team is very strong. They have a great understanding of the market and provide clear and concise advice. They are very thorough, excellent at identifying issues and are very responsive.’

‘We have worked with Christian Nahr and Mike Schneider for a number of years, and they are excellent at what they do. They also have very experienced and strong associates who can work independently and lead clients through challenging transactions.’

‘Ability to deal with complex cross-border deals in a collaborative and thoughtful way.’

Key clients

Bank of America


Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors


BMO Capital Markets


Cambridge Information Group


Citizens Bank


Crescent Capital Group


Informatica


Jefferies Finance


KeyBanc Capital Markets


Macquarie Capital


MasTec


OneDigital


Permira Advisers


Perrigo


WireCo WorldGroup


Bank of America


Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors


BMO Capital Markets


Cambridge Information Group


Citizens Bank


Crescent Capital Group


Informatica


Jefferies Finance


KeyBanc Capital Markets


Macquarie Capital


MasTec


OneDigital


Permira Advisers


Perrigo


WireCo WorldGroup


Work highlights


  • Advised Permira Advisers in connection with the financing of Permira’s acquisition of Mimecast Limited.
  • Advised Perrigo Company in connection with a Credit Agreement which provides for a $500m delayed draw term loan A, a $700m initial term loan B, a $400m delayed term loan B, an a $1bn revolving credit facility.
  • Advised Informatica in connection with the refinancing of its existing credit facilities with a $1.875bn term loan and a $250m revolving facility.

Goodwin

The debt finance practice at Goodwin bolsters expertise in the representation of both lenders and borrowers, though it is particularly noted for its work on middle market transactions in the technology, healthcare and life sciences sectors from a borrower-side perspective. Key areas of work include acquisition financing, venture financing relating to emerging companies, and multi-tranche financing for financial sponsors. Jennifer Bralower spearheads the offering from New York, focused on syndicated credit facilities and junior capital, closely backed by Kristopher Ring and Anna Dodson, working out of the Santa Monica and Boston offices, respectively. Andrew Cheng joined the Santa Monica office from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in June 2022, a move to strengthen the firm’s borrower-side capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Jennifer Bralower


Other key lawyers:

Kristopher Ring; Anna Dodson; Fredrich Lim; Andrew Cheng


Key clients

Benefit Street Partners


Crescent Capital Group


PennantPark Investment Advisers


Bregal Sagemount


Charlesbank Capital Partners


TA Associates


Piney Lake


AEA Mezzanine


Thoma Bravo


Fortress Investment Group


Work highlights


  • Advised TA Associates in connection with the financing on its strategic growth investment in Veracode, taking a majority equity position in the business.

Jones Day

Jones Day offers strong experience in cross-border litigation, investigations, restructurings and reorganizations, collaborating with offices across Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East to advise financial institutions, issuers, funds, asset managers, private equity sponsors and fintech companies. Acting out of the New York office, Brett Barragate heads the practice alongside Rachel Rawson, a financing and leveraged buyout specialist in Boston. Barragate also acts as the chair of the Americas region, representing direct lenders, hedge funds and financial institutions in the issuance of debt facilities and transfer of financial assets. As head of the Cleveland office, Kevin Samuels is recognized for his wide transactional experience, with particular focus on leveraged finance and asset-based financing, recently advising Avient Corporation on the $1.48bn acquisition and financing of Koninklijke.

Practice head(s):

Brett Barragate; Rachel Rawson


Other key lawyers:

Kevin Samuels; Aldo LaFiandra


Testimonials

‘The lawyers are very experienced in advising both banks (lenders) and corporations (borrowers). In both cases, the clients are very pleased with counsel.’

‘Aldo LaFiandra is the best lawyer that I’ve worked with in my career. He is brilliant, funny and client friendly.’

Key clients

Cleveland-Cliffs


Ferro Corporation


KeyBank National Association


PNC Bank, National Association


PolyOne Corporation


Santander Bank


The Riverside Company


The Timken Company


TransDigm


WESCO International


J.P. Morgan Chase


U.S. Bank National Association


ACI Worldwide


CITGO Petroleum


Follett Corporation


Kaiser Aluminum Corporation


Macy’s


Nutrien


OGE Energy


Wells Fargo


Work highlights


  • Advised Eldridge Industries, as administrative agent and lead arranger, on a senior secured term loan credit facility provided to Digital Currency Group.
  • Represented Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent and lender, and Wells Fargo Securities LLC, as syndication agent, in connection with an unsecured term loan facility in the aggregate amount of $750m to a real estate investment fund.
  • Advised Avient Corporation in the $1.48bn acquisition and financing of Koninklijke DSM’s protective materials business.

Katten

Katten places a strong emphasis on private credit issues, acting for lead arrangers, administrative agents, unsecured creditors, banks and investments firms in matters relating to senior secured and unsecured as well as asset-based loans, unitranche and mezzanine debt, and distressed and bridge loans. The team, which is primarily based in Chicago, is headed by Michael Jacobson, a member of the firm’s executive committee considered a specialist in cash flow and asset-based transactions as well the full spectrum of commercial financing. Also noted, Jennifer Wolfe is recommended for debt finance matters, while Glen Lim and Jan Harris Cate, who are part of the firm’s Los Angeles offering, regularly act on a range of financing transactions.

Practice head(s):

Michael Jacobson


Other key lawyers:

Jennifer Wolfe; Glen Lim; Jan Harris Cate; John Corrigan


Key clients

Antares Capital


Ares Capital Corporation


Balance Point Capital


Bank of Montreal


BMO Sponsor Finance


Capital One


Comvest Credit Partners


NXT Capital


Twin Brook Capital Partners


Varagon Capital Partners


Work highlights


  • Representing Twin Brook Capital Partners, as administrative agent, collateral agent and joint lead arranger in a senior credit facility in excess of $500m.
  • Advised a provider of private debt client on a $400m syndicated multi-currency subscription facility.
  • Advised a private debt provider in connection with a $245m senior secured credit facility to provide financing to a company focused on acquiring and building software businesses.

King & Spalding LLP

King & Spalding LLP exhibits notable strength acting on behalf of lenders, with its client portfolio also extending to to funds, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers, with the group advising on senior, subordinated, investment grade, bridge and mezzanine debt facilities. In New York, Todd Holleman and Ronald Lovelace lead the practice, accompanied at the helm by Jennifer Daly, who works out of the firm’s Charlotte office spearheading the firm’s private credit special situations expertise. To bolster these efforts, the firm incorporated several new arrivals, including Mary Liz Brady from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2022 and Marisa Sotomayor from Paul Hastings LLP in August 2022.

Practice head(s):

Todd Holleman; Ronald Lovelace; Jennifer Daly


Other key lawyers:

Sheel Patel; Mary Liz Brady; Marisa Sotomayor


Key clients

Accent


Butterball


Cousins Properties


FleetCor Technologies Operating Company


Schweitzer-Mauduit International


Tenex Capital Management


Trane Technologies


United Flow Technologies Intermediate Holdco II


USALCO


Yancey Bros. Co.


Antares Capital


Blackstone


Blue Torch Capital


Capital One, National Association


Crescent Capital Group


Golub Capital


HPS Investment Partners


JPMorgan Chase Bank


KKR Credit Advisors


Carlyle


Work highlights


  • Represented Golub Capital Markets in connection with a $3.29bn senior secured credit facility.
  • Represented HPS Investment Partners in connection with a $1.2bn credit facility with Titan-Atlas Merger Sub.
  • Represented Blackstone Alternative Credit Advisors LP, in connection with a $835m credit agreement with Pelican Intermediate Holdings.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

The debt finance practice at Kirkland & Ellis LLP has an impressive reputation for advising borrowers in a range of complex leveraged buyouts, stand-alone financings and complicated restructurings, covering senior, subordinated, mezzanine, bridge and preferred equity transactions. The firm’s offering is primarily tailored towards private equity sponsors and their affiliates, with a client portfolio featuring the likes of Ares and Carlyle Group. Key figures at the widespread practice include Melissa Hutson and Jay Ptashek in New York, and Michelle Kilkenney and Maureen Dixon in Chicago. Fredrich Lim joined the firm from Goodwin in January 2022, followed by the arrival of Austin Witt from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in July 2022; Linda Myers retired from practice in February 2022. Eric Wedel left the firm in August 2023.

Other key lawyers:

Melissa Hutson; Jay Ptashek; Michelle Kilkenney; Maureen Dixon; Fredrich Lim; Austin Witt; Andrew Idrizovic


Testimonials

‘Very experienced team that is highly commercial – their advice goes well beyond technical legal work. Our C-suite considers them to be key partners in our commercial lending strategy.’

‘Strong expertise, extremely responsive, and genuinely good people to work with.’

‘Plugged into the latest terms in the market, knowledgeable, friendly, easy to work with, thoughtful.’

‘Andrew Idrizovic is great. He’s helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, understands our needs and appropriately addresses concerns with that in mind. Very easy and enjoyable to work with.’

Key clients

Ares Capital Management


Atlantic Park


The Carlyle Group


Fortress Credit Corporation


Investec


Oaktree Capital Management


Work highlights


  • Advised Ares Management Corporation in its credit facility to GI Partners-backed Flexential.
  • Advised Fortress Credit Corporation on $250m in financing to an investor group led by affiliates of Taylor Sheridan and the Yucaipa Companies in connection with the purchase of the historic 6666 Ranch.
  • Represented CarVal, Generate Capital and Climate Adaptive Infrastructure, as lenders to Intersect Power in eight separate transactions representing an aggregate of $2.6bn of financing commitments for the construction and operations of a six-project portfolio.

Latham & Watkins LLP

With high levels of activity on both sides of the market, Latham & Watkins LLP continues to offer top-tier advice to its clients, representing major banks and private credit lenders on the lender-side as well as upper-market private equity sponsors and large corporations on the borrower-side. The practice is reputed for its wide range of work and its ability to advise on investment-grade work as well as on innovative and complex loans, having recently assisted with high-profile leveraged buyouts and asset-based loans. In particular, the team stands out for its unique experience with unitranche and annual recurring revenue (ARR) loan structures – notable recent work includes advising Blackstone on a major ARR financing in connection with the Zendesk acquisition. Out of New York, the team’s commercial lending work is led by Daniel Seale, who offers experience advising banks and direct lenders on acquisition financings, as well as by Joshua Tinkelman, asset-based lending specialist Michèle Penzer, and leveraged finance expert Alfred Xue. Private equity chair Manu Gayatrinath, who has advised on major acquisition financings in the private equity space, and Jason M. Licht are key contacts in Washington DC, while Greg Robins works out of Los Angeles. The team was also recently strengthened by the arrivals of Corey Wright and Lisa Collier from Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP in January 2023.

Practice head(s):

Daniel Seale; Manu Gayatrinath; Jason M. Licht; Josh Tinkelman; Greg Robins; Alfred Xue


Other key lawyers:

Jeffrey Chenard; Michèle Penzer; Pamela Kellet; Josh Holt; Corey Wright


Testimonials

‘Latham has a top-notch finance practice in all aspects of leveraged finance. They have a market knowledge and experience that is not exceeded by any other law firm we work with.’

‘Alfred Xue is one of the very best lawyers we work with. He’s a tireless worker and is does a fantastic job representing our interests and knowing what we care about, while also being commercial and providing great practical advice.’

‘Partners display expertise and responsiveness.’

‘Josh Holt – knowledgeable, super responsive, hard-working, and commercial. He is capable of parsing through documents and identifying key issues to focus on. Goes above and beyond to deliver quality work and meet tight timelines. Lastly, he does a good job of resolving many issues with opposing counsel, so fewer issues elevate to business folks.’

‘Our attorney at Latham (Pamela Kellet) is the most knowledgeable on commercial banking transactions that I have dealt with in recent years. I can rely upon Pamela to deliver superior work and to meet deadlines. I have dealt with other large firms in the last few years that were not able to do the same.’

Key clients

Antares Capital


Apollo Global Management


Ares Capital Corporation


Audax Private Debt


Bank of America


Bank of Montreal


Bank of the West


Barings LLC


Blackstone Credit


Carlyle Global Credit


DailyPay


Deutsche Bank


Francisco Partners


Goldman Sachs


Golub Capital


Great Outdoors Group, LLC


Hyatt Hotels Corporation


Jefferies


JP Morgan


KKR


Leonard Green & Partners


Morgan Stanley


Northleaf Capital Partners


Owl Rock Capital


Rabobank


Rhythm Pharmaceuticals


Royal Bank of Canada


UL Inc.


The Walt Disney Company


Work highlights


  • Advised the lenders on an ARR financing and preferred equity financing to support Zendesk’s $10.2bn acquisition by an investor group led by leading global investment firms Permira and Hellman & Friedman LLC.
  • Advised Carlyle in connection with the financing for its “take private” acquisition of ManTech International Corporation.
  • Advised an international consortium of banks and financial institutions on senior secured credit facilities and a paid-in-kind facility, the proceeds of which were used to establish the permanent financing for Temasek’s acquisition of Element Materials Technology Group and repay certain indebtedness of Element and its subsidiaries.

Mayer Brown

Broad expertise from both a lender and borrower perspective means Mayer Brown is sought by a combination of banks, underwriters, private equity sponsors and lenders, with restructurings, real estate, litigation, mortgage and acquisition finance making up a large proportion of the team’s work, which is led by Kiel Bowen in Charlotte, Matthew O’Meara in Chicago and Scott Zemser in New York. The group’s extensive reach is another key factor, with a notable presence in Latin America covering loans, structured financings, and securities offerings. Other significant members in Chicago include Christopher Chubb, active on leveraged buyouts and working capital financings, debt facilities expert Fred Fisher, and Andrew Vouziers, who joined the firm from Sidley Austin LLP in May 2022.


Practice head(s):

Kiel Bowen; Matthew O’Meara; Scott Zemser


Other key lawyers:

Christopher Chubb; Fred Fisher; Andrew Vouziers; Adam Wolk


Testimonials

‘Adam Wolk is an expert in this space, and provides great, client focused, practical counseling to borrowers.’

Key clients

Citizens Bank


Commvault Systems


GWG Holdings


Monroe Capital Management Advisors


Whirlpool Corporation


Work highlights


  • Represented Whirlpool Corporation, as borrower, in a $2.5bn senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility, with Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
  • Represented a financial institution as an agent and a lender in $1.2bn of revolving and term credit facilities extended to a global diversified industrial company traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Represented a leading US-based national bank as agent and left lead arranger in connection with a $1bn financing for a diversified manufacturing, distribution and retail company.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP

McDermott Will & Emery LLP remains a trusted advisor for venture capital funds, investment companies, financial institutions and private equity firms, characterized by its ability to tackle middle market transactions surrounding acquisition financing, asset-based lending, convertible debt facilities and mezzanine lending matters. The leadership team features Michael Boykins and Stephanie McCann in Chicago as well as Los Angeles-based Gary Rosenbaum, a seasoned practitioner noted for his broad focus on finance transactions. With an emphasis on the healthcare sector, the group recently represented Cedars-Sinai Health System on the issuing of both a tax-exempt bond and a taxable bond.

Key clients

American Builders & Contractors Supply Co.


H.I.G. Capital


Whitehorse Capital Management


Waypoint Capital


Hidden Harbor Capital Partners


Cedars-Sinai Health System


MidCap Financial Trust


Oxford Finance


Comvest Partners


Alter Domus


Amulet Capital Partners


The Sterling Group


Gemspring Capital Management


Linden Structured Capital Fund


TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.


True West Capital Partners


TriplePoint Capital


Ridgemont Equity Partners


A.M. Castle & Co.


NationsBenefits Holdings


American Builders & Contractors Supply Co.


H.I.G. Capital


Whitehorse Capital Management


Waypoint Capital


Hidden Harbor Capital Partners


Cedars-Sinai Health System


MidCap Financial Trust


Oxford Finance


Comvest Partners


Alter Domus (US) LLC Amulet Capital Partners


The Sterling Group


Gemspring Capital Management


Linden Structured Capital Fund


TriplePoint Venture Growth BDC Corp.


True West Capital Partners


TriplePoint Capital


Ridgemont Equity Partners


A.M. Castle & Co.


NationsBenefits Holdings


Work highlights


  • Represented American Builders & Contractors Supply in connection with the structuring, negotiation, documentation and execution of an amendment and restatement of a $1.5bn senior secured asset-based credit facility with Bank of America.
  • Represented H.I.G. Middle Market in its acquisition of Terra Millennium Corporation.
  • Represented H.I.G. Capital in its acquisition of Barton & Associates.

McGuireWoods LLP

McGuireWoods LLP leverages longstanding relationships with leading banks in the market, regularly advising the likes of Bank of America and Wells Fargo on investment grade, middle market and leveraged credit profiles. Particularly noteworthy on the lender side, the practice’s expertise also extends to borrower representation, with work for private equity sponsors considered a growing area of work. Kevin McGinnis heads the team from Charlotte, a hub of the firm’s offering, and is backed by Los Angeles-based Hamid Namazie and Chris Molen in Atlanta.

Practice head(s):

Kevin McGinnis


Other key lawyers:

Hamid Namazie; Chris Molen; Gerum Yilma; Mark Spitzer; Peter Butcher; Penny Zacharius


Testimonials

‘McGuireWoods provides exceptionally qualified and responsive lawyers who have a deep knowledge of the market as well as of bank systems and methods.’

‘I’ve had the pleasure of working with Gerum Yilma on many deals. He is smart and knows the market really well and brings a collaborative approach to get a deal over the finish line. Gerum offers a strong value since he staffs deals just as needed and is thoughtful about staffing deals. Your example, he will let a junior associate draft the more routine elements.’

‘I have worked with the McGuireWoods for several years now and it is definitely one of the best in the business for corporate clients. The team is very knowledgeable in bank law and are always looking out for the best interest of the client. Extremely quick turn around on documents. Response time to inquiries is also very quick.’

Key clients

Bank of America


Wells Fargo


Bank of the Sierra


Brightwood Capital Advisors


Capital One


Truist Bank


White Oak Healthcare Finance


NXT Capital


Regions Bank


PNC Financial Services


Work highlights


  • Advised Ally Bank as lead lender and administrative agent on a $557m syndicated “unitranche” term loan with three tranches of payment priority, secured by a 19-property portfolio of skilled nursing facilities (SNF) in West Virginia.

Moore & Van Allen, PLLC

The Charlotte-based debt finance team at Moore & Van Allen, PLLC is very active on syndicated lending matters, representing a roster of banking clients including Bank of America and Wells Fargo in a wide variety of transaction structures, revolving credit facilities, bridge loans and unitranche financings. In addition to its high-value work for major banks, the firm is also active on middle-market transactions and assists with acquisition financings and asset-based loans for Charlotte-based lenders such as Truist Bank. Wayne McKinzie, who leads the practice, is a key contact for syndicated lending alongside Tripp MonroeMeredith Reedy is also highly recommended for her advice on acquisition financing, while Andrew Price leads on many of the team’s high-value transactions for Bank of America.

Practice head(s):

Wayne McKinzie


Other key lawyers:

Tripp Monroe; Meredith Reedy; Andrew Price; Ryan Smith


Testimonials

‘Moore & Van Allen is extremely active in the syndicated loan business and knows the market very well. They are able to guide the negotiation of term sheets and credit agreements based on market practices across the spectrum of credit quality. The work gets done quickly and at a lower cost than other major firms, while the quality remains excellent.’

Key clients

Bank of America, N.A.


BofA Securities, Inc.


CoBank, ACB


Fifth Third Bank


JPMorgan Chase Bank/J.P. Morgan Securities LLC


KeyBank N.A.


PNC Bank, National Association


Regions Bank


Truist Bank


U.S. Bank, National Association


Wells Fargo Bank, National Association


Wells Fargo Securities, LLC


Work highlights


  • Represented Bank of America, N.A. as left lead arranger, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as right lead arranger, and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, in connection with revolving and term loan facilities totaling $3.3bn to Quanta Services, Inc.
  • Advised BofA Securities, Inc. as left lead arranger, and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, in connection with a $1.1bn credit facility to Oshkosh Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries.
  • Represented BofA Securities, Inc. as left lead arranger, and Bank of America, N.A. as administrative agent, in connection with a $1.5bn credit facility to Adobe Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

With a well-established lender market presence and a growing borrower-side practice, the nationwide team at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP advises on a wide range of domestic and cross-border financings. Led by Jonathan Bernstein out of Boston, the team frequently acts as counsel to major banks on asset-based lending matters, investment-grade and leveraged financings, and syndicated loans. Marjorie Crider and Matthew Furlong are further Boston-based key contacts. Daniel Papermaster and Rick Eisenbiegler, who work out of the New York office, also advise private credit clients on acquisition finance matters. On the borrower-side, the firm’s clients include private equity sponsors as well as corporations in the life sciences and real estate sectors, among others. Multicurrency and cross-border financings are a key strength for the firm, with California’s Steven Miller and Philadelphia’s Andrew Budreika serving as key contacts for such work. The firm also maintains major offices in Houston and Chicago. Keith Fujiu departed the firm in September 2022.


Practice head(s):

Jonathan Bernstein; Andrew Budreika; Marjorie Crider; Matthew Furlong; Steven Miller; Daniel Papermaster


Other key lawyers:

Rick Eisenbiegler; Mark Kirsons; Shah Nizami; Patricia Brennan


Testimonials

‘Morgan Lewis is very responsive and easy to work with. They have tremendous resources and can handle complex matters. They are also cost-effective vs. other firms. Our clients have an excellent working relationship with them.’

‘Mark Kirsons, who is the main Partner I deal with, is an excellent attorney and is always available to answer any questions. He has a strong reputation with his peers. For our most complex and important transactions, Mark is who I trust.’

Key clients

ADMA Biologics


AmerisourceBergen Corporation


Amneal Pharmaceuticals


Ares Capital Corporation


Armstrong Flooring, Inc.


Armstrong World Industries


ATN International, Inc.


Bank of America, N.A.


Basalt Infrastructure


Boot Barn Holdings, Inc.


Brookwood Financial Partners


Callodine Commercial Finance, LLC


Capital One NA


Carvana


Cimpress N.V.


Citibank, N.A.


Citizens Financial


Corridor Capital LLC


Crystal Financial d/b/a SLR Credit Solutions


Denny’s Inc.


East West Bank


Fanatics, Inc.


Freeman Spogli


FMC Corporation


Gordon Brothers Finance Company


Greystone Select


Guardian Capital Partners


HCT Packaging, Inc.


HSBC


The Huntington National Bank


Independence Blue Cross LLC


Institutional Investors


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.


Linx Partners


Livent Corporation


Lovell Minnick Partners LLC


LLR Partners


MicroStar Keg Management LLC


MSD Partners


Obagi Cosmeceuticals


OpenGate Capital Management LLC


Pathlight Capital


Prudential Insurance Company of America


Spindrift


SpotOn Transact, LLC


The Reinvestment Fund


TouchPoint, Inc.


Rue Gilt Group


Solar Capital Ltd.


StoneCalibre LLC


Vesta Holdings LLC


U.S. Bank National Association


Walker & Dunlop, Inc.


Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.


Work highlights


  • Represented Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. in the financing for Clearlake Capital Group LP’s agreement to acquire Intertape Polymer Group Inc.
  • Represented U.S. Bank National Association as administrative agent on behalf of a syndicate of lenders providing $2bn of revolving and term loan commitments to The Andersons, Inc.
  • Represented Bank of America NA as administrative agent in a $1bn five-year senior, unsecured revolving credit facility to Brighthouse Financial Inc.

Morrison Foerster

Though its team is active on both sides of debt finance transactions, Morrison Foerster offers particularly solid advice to private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers in sectors such as tech, real estate, and energy. The firm is frequently called upon for syndicated lending, acquisition financings and asset-based loans. Standing out for the diversity of its workflow, David Ephraim’s Boston-led team also regularly advises on secured facilities and refinancing matters. Key contact Dario Avram is based in San Francisco, while New York is home to the highly recommended Geoffrey Peck. Jay Gavigan has left the firm.


Practice head(s):

David Ephraim


Other key lawyers:

Dario Avram; Geoffrey Peck


Testimonials

‘Excellent market knowledge of the commercial real estate asset debt financing market.’

Key clients

Alpine Investors


Altamont Capital Partners


Antarctica Capital


Bridge Investment Group


Clean Energy Fuels


Community Choice Financial


FS Credit Real Estate Income Trust, Inc.


Klein Tools


Lennar Corporation


Main Post Partners


Northern Bank & Trust Company


Piper Sandler


Revolution Foods


Southwest Gas Holdings


Spark Networks SE


Tinicum


Virgo Investment Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Lennar, as borrower, on a $2.575bn syndicated revolving credit agreement arranged by JP Morgan.
  • Advised Southwest Gas Holdings, Inc. on a $1.6bn syndicated acquisition financing used to finance the acquisition of Dominion Energy Quester Pipeline, LLC, and its subsidiaries and certain affiliates.

Paul Hastings LLP

Paul Hastings LLP continues to provide a strong and active lender-side offering to its syndicated banking and large private credit clients, who turn to the team for its wide-reaching expertise in cross-border acquisition financings, secured credit facilities, asset-based loans and refinancing matters. The practice is led out of New York by John Cobb and Jennifer Yount, who regularly counsel lenders on acquisition financings for private equity firms. Also based in New York are Michele Cohen, who has experience negotiating major unitranche financings, and Morgan Bale, who joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in December 2022 and retains a close relationship with premier national banks. LA-based Jennifer Hildebrandt and Houston energy lending specialist Paris Theofanidis are also highly recommended. The team’s borrower-side work, often led by Chicago lawyer Holly Snow, is tailored towards the private equity sector and involves high-value asset-based loans, mezzanine facilities, and acquisition financings. In August 2022,  Marisa Sotomayor left the firm.

Practice head(s):

John Cobb; Jennifer Yount


Other key lawyers:

Morgan Bale; Michele Cohen; Jennifer Hildebrandt, Randal Palach; Holly Snow; Paris Theofanidis


Testimonials

‘We appreciate the team as attorneys and as partners. They are a diverse team that is composed of women and minority attorneys, something that is important to us, and it is backed up with high-level legal knowledge. The team has taken the time to learn about our Company and business environment. They are well versed in current market terms and they are tough but professional negotiators that advocate on our behalf while providing us with the high-level technical knowledge required to meet our complex financing needs.’

‘Holly Snow is an exceptional attorney. She has gotten to know our business and brings incredible skills and experience to support our complex and varied finance needs. Her professionalism and ability to deliver exceptional results makes her standout. She is a trusted partner and brings added value to our finance transactions that goes beyond simple drafting and legal project management.’

‘Paul Hastings has exceptional experience within the private equity borrowing market. We are regularly impressed by the team’s market intelligence. They are able to provide superior guidance in a very commercial manner that considers the practical, business-level implications.’

Key clients

Apollo Global Management


Bank of America


Bank of Montreal


Barclays


Blackstone Credit


Credit Suisse


Deutsche Bank


Goldman Sachs


Guggenheim Partners


Jefferies Finance


JP Morgan


Morgan Stanley


MUFG Bank, Ltd.


Kayne Anderson


Owl Rock Capital Partners


PNC Financial Services


Royal Bank of Canada


Société Générale


TD Securities


Wells Fargo


Work highlights


  • Represented JP Morgan and Barclays, as the lead arrangers and bookrunners, in connection with a $5.75bn senior secured credit facility for MKS Instruments, a global provider of instruments, systems, subsystems and process control solutions.
  • Represented Bank of Montreal as administrative agent for the $5.1bn acquisition of American National Group by Brookfield Asset Management Reinsurance Partners, one of the largest private equity firms in the world focused on infrastructure and financial institution buyouts.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

The New York-based borrower-side practice at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP excels at representing private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in acquisition and leveraged financings, while also regularly conducting standout work for its public corporation clients in the refinancing space. The team’s close relationship with clients such as Apollo Global Management and KPS Capital Partners provides a regular flow of high-value transaction finance deals. Practice chair Gregory Ezring leads on much of the firm’s private equity work alongside co-heads Brian Kim and Thomas de la Bastide, who is also a key representative of the firm’s prolific work in the distressed financing and restructuring spaces. Monica Thurmond is also highly recommended for her experience advising on leveraged buyouts. Eric Wedel bolstered the team in August 2023, arriving from Kirkland & Ellis LLP.


Practice head(s):

Gregory Ezring; Thomas de la Bastide; Brian Kim


Other key lawyers:

Brian Janson; Monica Thurmond; Danielle Penhall; Suhan Shim; David Tarr


Testimonials

‘David Tarr has been primary counsel to us for the last 7-8 years. We directed the majority of our legal work to Paul Weiss when he moved over there. Have continued to be impressed with him and his broader team for work of all sizes and types.’

‘David Tarr is a good negotiator and great at helping put complex legal issues into business context. He and his team are very responsive, and hard-working too.’

Key clients

Apollo Global Management


Ares Management


Canopy Growth Corporation


Capri Holdings (f/k/a Michael Kors)


Charlesbank Capital


Continental Grain Company


Cox Media Group


HPS Investment Partners


Insight Partners


Inspire Brands


KPS Capital Partners


Kohlberg & Co.


Oak Hill Capital


Oaktree Capital Management


Revlon


Roark Capital Group


Silver Point Capital


The Carlyle Group


Virtu Financial


Wellspring Capital


Proskauer Rose LLP

Proskauer Rose LLP has a strong lender-side track record, having developed a reputation as a prolific counsel to direct lenders predominantly in the middle-market. Private credit clients such as Ares Capital and The Carlyle Group frequently turn to the firm for its advice on secured credit facilities and investment fund financings. The firm’s ability to handle novel and complex work remains a key strength, with partners regularly negotiating mezzanine and unitranche facilities; additionally, the team has worked on a number of complex preferred equity financings this year. All partners in the team are cross-trained in bankruptcy, enabling the practice to handle restructuring and distressed financing work as well. Boston-based partners Steven Ellis and Stephen Boyko co-head the practice, while Los Angeles-based Sandra Montgomery are also names to note. The firm gained Chicago-based Evan Palenschat from King & Spalding LLP in May 2022 and also welcomed Jonathan DeSantis from Shearman & Sterling LLP into its New York office in October 2022, while parting ways with Vincenzo Lucibello.












Practice head(s):

Steven Ellis; Stephen Boyko


Other key lawyers:

Sandra Montgomery; Jonathan DeSantis; Evan Palenschat; Gary Creem; Justin Breen


Key clients

Adams Street Partners


Antares Capital LP


Ares Capital Corporation


Audax Group


Beach Point Capital Management


The Carlyle Group


Churchill Asset Management


Crescent Capital Group


Francisco Partners


Golub Capital


HPS Investment Partners


Invesco


JP Morgan Chase Bank


MidCap Financial Trust


Monroe Capital


New Mountain Capital


Owl Rock Capital Partners


Thoma Bravo


Varagon Capital


Zebra Technologies


Ropes & Gray LLP

With activities spanning the breadth of the debt finance area, the team at Ropes & Gray LLP is particularly noted for its prolific record advising its borrower clients on complex transactions. The firm’s borrower-side practice, led by New York-based leveraged lending expert Stefanie Birkmann alongside Boston’s Michael Lee, is distinguished by its flexibility and ability to handle high-value and sophisticated loans involving complex and novel structures. The firm routinely assists private equity firms and their portfolio companies with complex or uniquely secured acquisition financings and leveraged buyouts, including transactions with cross-border elements as well as deals involving unitranche or annual recurring revenue (ARR) structures. Boston-based Byung Choi is a key contact for advice on acquisition financing, while New York’s Alexander Zeltser is highly recommended for his ‘excellent understanding‘ of cross-border lending matters. The firm also maintains an active lender-side practice, led by Boston’s Jeffrey Katz and New York’s Leonard Klingbaum, which stands out for assisting major private credit clients with financings involving borrowers in highly-regulated industries. The firm’s lender offering in Los Angeles was expanded with the arrival of Jennifer Harris from Milbank in early 2022.

Practice head(s):

Stefanie Birkmann; Michael Lee; Jeffrey Katz; Leonard Klingbaum


Other key lawyers:

Alexander Zeltser; Jay Kim; Alyson Gal; Jennifer Harris; Byung Choi


Testimonials

‘Alex Zeltser has an excellent understanding of the market and our financing and legal situation and provides timely and value-added advice about our loan agreements.’

Key clients

American Industrial Partners


Aquiline Credit


Bain Capital


BlackRock


Blackstone


Gridiron Capital LLC


Hayward Industries, Inc


HIG Capital LLC


LSB Industries


PG Investment Services AG


Provention Bio Inc.


Silver Lake Partners


Sycamore Partners Management LP


TPG Capital LP


Work highlights


  • Represented Sycamore Partners in a secured bridge loan facility as a precursor to their inaugural whole-business securitization securities offering for The Goddard School, a leading franchisor of premium early childhood education centers across the United States.

Shearman & Sterling LLP

Shearman & Sterling LLP is active on both sides of financings, and particularly notable for advising lenders on investment-grade and leveraged transactions, with Citigroup and Credit Suisse standout names among a client list composed largely of major banks, while the team has also extended its offering to a growing list of alternative lenders in recent years. These clients most frequently consult the team, which works closely with its peer office in London, on domestic and cross-border acquisition financings. Situated on the East Coast, the team is co-led from New York by Alan Rockwell, who regularly represents the firm’s major banking clients in acquisition finance negotiations, and Michael Chernick, who frequently advises on incremental financings. Also in New York, Maura O’Sullivan is a key contact for cross-border leveraged loans. Tomasz Kulawik, who divides his time between New York and DC, is also recommended.




















Practice head(s):

Alan Rockwell; Michael Chernick


Other key lawyers:

Maura O’Sullivan; Heather Waters Borthwick; Tomasz Kulawik


Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable and efficient. We’ve worked with them on some complex structures, and they’ve found excellent language/technology to reduce the complexity of the underlying documents.’

‘Heather Waters Borthwick in particular is very strong at managing a process and articulating the pros/cons of the various paths we could take as lenders. Alan Rockwell is also very knowledgeable and forthright.’

Key clients

Bank of America


Bank of Montreal


Barclays


Citigroup


Credit Suisse


Goldman Sachs


Jefferies


Macquarie Capital


Morgan Stanley


Morgan Stanley Private Credit


Nomura


RBC


UBS


Work highlights


  • Advised Credit Suisse and a leading UK investment bank, as arrangers, Bank of Montreal, as first & second lien administrative agent, and a leading UK investment bank, as ABL administrative agent and arrangers, on a $2bn financing for the acquisition of Bayer Environmental Science by Cinven.
  • Advised Morgan Stanley on an incremental financing for the acquisition of Waterlogic Group Holdings Ltd. by Culligan International, a portfolio company of BDT Capital Partners.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP maintains its leading position across the borrower and lender markets, standing out particularly for its ability to advise on high-value and impactful acquisition financings. The team’s lender-side activity involves work for major banks such as JP Morgan as well as an expanding roster of clients in the private credit space, while its borrower-side clients include some of the nation’s largest private equity firms alongside corporate borrowers such as Dell Technologies. Most frequently advising on leveraged buyouts and investment-grade credit facilities in connection with high-value acquisitions, the firm also actively assists with asset-based lending and refinancings. Standout recent deals in this space include New York-based partner William Sheehan‘s representation of Bank of America in providing $21.7bn of unsecured credit facilities to Oracle. Practice head Patrick Ryan, a longstanding acquisition finance expert, also works out of New York, alongside key contacts James Cross and Jennifer Hobbs. In Houston, Matt Einbinder and Erland Modesto are highly recommended for their ability to advise on financings in the energy sector.

Practice head(s):

Patrick Ryan


Other key lawyers:

James Cross; William Sheehan; Jennifer Hobbs; Matt Einbinder; Brian Gluck; Brian Steinhardt; Alexandra Kaplan; Jessica Tuchinsky; Erland Modesto


Key clients

Apax Partners


Aramark Corp


Avantor


Bank of America Merrill Lynch


Bank of Montreal


Bank of Nova Scotia


Best Buy


Blackstone


BlackRock


BNP Paribas


BrightView


Capital One


CBRE Services, Inc.


CIBC


Cigna Corp


Citigroup


Crédit Agricole


Credit Suisse


Crestwood Midstream Partners


CSL Limited


Dell Technologies


DigitalBridge Group


Ensono


EQT


First Student and First Transit


Garda World Security Corp


Goldman Sachs


Goldman Sachs Asset Management


Group 1 Automotive


Hellman & Friedman


HSBC


JPMorgan


KeyBank National Association


KKR


Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated


Morgan Stanley


MUFG Union Bank


Penske Corp


Railroad Commission of Texas


Royal Bank of Canada


Scotiabank


Silver Lake Partners


Sirius XM Radio Inc.


SMART Global Holdings


Société Générale


Stonepeak Partners


SunPower Corporation


Team Health Holdings


Toronto Dominion (Texas)


TransUnion


Travelers Companies


UBS


Wells Fargo


Zayo Group Holdings


Work highlights


  • Advised CSL Limited on the financing related to its all-cash public tender offer to acquire all publicly held shares of Vifor Pharma Ltd, for $179.25 per share, for an aggregate equity value for Vifor Pharma of $11.7bn.
  • Advised JPMorgan Chase Bank, Goldman Sachs Bank, and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners in connection with senior unsecured bridge term loans in an amount up to $41.5bn for a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T to finance a cash dividend paid to AT&T in connection with the $43bn combination off AT&T’s WarnerMedia with Discovery.
  • Advised Bank of America, as administrative agent, in connection with Oracle Corporation’s $21.7bn credit facilities.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is most active in representing corporate borrowers in a range of investment-grade transactions, credit facility amendments, and acquisition financings, as well as being active on the lender side. The practice, which maintains offices in Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles, also assists its clients with asset-based loans and bridge financings as well as real estate financings. Global banking head Seth Jacobson leads the practice from Chicago. Key contacts in other locations include New York-based Steven Messina and LA-based Leila Sayegh.

Practice head(s):

Seth Jacobson


Other key lawyers:

Steven Messina; Leila Sayegh


Troutman Pepper

Troutman Pepper‘s diverse debt finance team works especially with corporate borrower clients across a range of industry sectors, including technology, life sciences, real estate, and energy. The firm handles a significant volume of asset-based lending transactions, mezzanine loans, and real estate financings, and has carved out a notable niche in assisting cryptocurrency clients with accessing secured credit facilities. Kris Henman heads the practice from Washington DC, while Atlanta-based Hazen Dempster leads the team’s activities in Georgia. Philadelphia’s Kathryn Nordick is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Kris Henman


Other key lawyers:

Hazen Dempster; Kathryn Nordick


Key clients

AGCO Corporation


Capital One, NA


CIBC Bank USA


E2Open, LLC


JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.


New Jersey Resources Corporation


Southern Company


Truist Bank


Unisys Corporation


Wells Fargo Trade Capital


Work highlights


  • Advised New Jersey Resources Corporation in connection with a $650m revolving credit facility.

Vinson & Elkins LLP

A dominant firm in the energy financing space, Vinson & Elkins LLP is active on both sides of the debt finance market, counseling lenders and borrowers alike on leveraged buyouts, secured credit facilities, syndicated loans, mezzanines, and refinancing matters. The team is also one of the most active players in assisting with preferred equity financings. In addition to its work for large national and regional banks, the firm also advises alternative lenders and maintains a borrower-side client roster that encompasses large energy corporations and a growing number of private equity firms. Led out of Texas by Brian Moss and Erec Winandy, the firm also maintains a New York office, which is home to key contacts Brett Santoli and Tzvi Werzberger, alongside its New York-based aviation finance division led by David Berkery and Niels Jensen. Houston partner James Longhofer is another name to note.














Practice head(s):

Brian Moss; Erec Winandy


Other key lawyers:

James Longhofer; Brett Santoli; Tzvi Werzberger; David Berkery; Niels Jensen; Darin Schultz; Joe Higdon


Testimonials

‘Darin Schultz and Joe Higdon have provided high-quality, cost-efficient service to us from the start. They helped us put a new credit facility in place, interpret and comply with our covenants, evaluate other financing options, and execute amendments to put our company in a better position financially. They’re thoughtful and creative in finding practical solutions to complex problems.’

Key clients

AMP Capital Investors (US) Limited


Antero Resources Corporation


Apollo Global Management, Inc.


Bank of America, N.A.


The Blackstone Group, L.P.


CSI Compressco LP


Citibank


Continental Resources, Inc.


Crowley Maritime Corporation


Deutsche Bank


Enable Midstream Partners, LP


Energy Transfer LP


Hartree Partners, LP


HollyFrontier Corporation


JPMorgan Chase Bank, NA


Jonah Energy


MUFG Bank


Mizuho Bank


Morgan Stanley


Northern Pacific Airlines


Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.


Retail Ecommerce Ventures LLC


Select Energy Services, Inc.


SilverBow Resources, Inc.


Stratos


Stronghold Digital Mining, Inc.


Surge Energy US Holdings Company


Texas Capital Bank


Tinicum, Inc.


Truist Financial Corporation


Vinmar International Ltd.


Wells Fargo Bank N.A.


Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz

Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz’ New York-based practice has undergone significant growth in the past decade and has achieved a strong presence on the borrower-side of the debt finance market. The team is particularly noted for its acquisition financing expertise and has advised on a series of high-value investment-grade loans, including a $32bn syndicated financing for Broadcom’s acquisition of VMWare. In addition to its roster of investment-grade corporate borrowers from a wide range of industry sectors, the firm also advises private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. For these clients, the team actively assists with liability management matters, leveraged asset-based loans, and credit facility amendments that encompass a wide range of financial structures. Practice head Gregory Pessin has a track record of representing the firm’s investment-grade clients in high-value work, while John Sobolewski is a key contact for liability management transactions. Emily Johnson is also highly recommended for her advice on acquisition financings.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Pessin


Other key lawyers:

John Sobolewski; Michael Benn; Emily Johnson


Testimonials

‘The team takes a fresh look at all the key terms rather than rely on industry norm. Willing to push the envelope for the benefit of the client.’

‘Greg Pessin makes himself available and provides practical and value-added solutions & advice.’

Key clients

3M Company


American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.


Angelo, Gordon & Co., L.P.


Becton, Dickinson & Company


Broadcom Inc.


Coherent Corp.


Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.


Encompass Health Corporation


Fanatics Holdings, Inc.


Global Payments Inc.


GXO Logistics, Inc.


IAC/InteractiveCorp


Ingevity Corporation


Mallinckrodt plc


Mitel Networks Corporation


Otis Worldwide Corporation


PENN Entertainment, Inc.


Raytheon Technologies Corporation


Siris Capital Group, LLC


Work highlights


  • Negotiated $32bn in committed financing from a consortium of banks in connection with Broadcom’s acquisition of VMware, Inc., leading to a successful and timely consummation of the acquisition with an unusual and highly company-favorable fee structure.
  • Advised Global Payments Inc. on a $4.325bn bridge financing commitment process in connection with the acquisition of EVO Payments and a new $5.75bn revolving credit facility, which upsized the previous revolver and provides for borrowing of amounts needed to fund the EVO acquisition on a limited condition basis.
  • Advised Mitel Networks Corporation on its complex 2022 liability management transaction and superpriority new money fundraising.

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP stands out for its prolific advice to borrower and lender clients in connection with leveraged and investment-grade facilities, bridge financings, asset-based loans, and revolvers. With the firm's lender practice reaching major financial institutions and a growing number of private credit clients, borrower clients encompass private equity firms and large corporate entities who also frequently turn to the team for its expertise in distressed financings, liability management, and leveraged buyouts. The New York-based team is led by Daniel Dokos, an expert on investment-grade and asset-based lending. Other key names include Andrew Colao, who leads the team’s borrower-side work for private equity clients, as well as partners Heather Viets and Justin Lee, who regularly advise on acquisition financings. Morgan Bale departed the firm in December 2022.



















Practice head(s):

Daniel Dokos


Other key lawyers:

Andrew Colao; Justin Lee; Heather Viets


Key clients

Advent International Corporation


Alaska Air Group, Inc.


American Securities


Ashford Hospitality Trust, Inc.


Asurion LLC


Avolon Holdings Limited


Bain Capital


Berkshire Partners


Black Knight, Inc.


Blue Torch Capital


Brookfield Asset Management


Campbell Soup Company


Ceridian HCM Holding Inc.


Citi


Cornell Capital


Dun & Bradstreet Corporation


The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.


General Electric Company


GI Partners


Goldman Sachs


Healogics, Inc.


Howden Group Holdings Limited (f/k/a Hyperion Insurance Group Limited)


Iron Mountain Incorporated


Jefferies


Johnson & Johnson


JP Morgan


The Kroger Company


Morgan Stanley


Northeast Grocery, Inc.


OMERS


Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan


Permira Advisers


Providence Equity Partners/PSG


PSP Investments


Scandinavian Airlines


Signet Jewelers Limited


Trebia Acquisition Corp.


Westinghouse Electric Company, LLC


White Oak Commercial Finance, LLC


Work highlights


  • Advised Citi on a $9.1bn committed unsecured bridge financing to support the pending acquisition by Parker-Hannifin Corporation of Meggitt plc.
  • Advised American Securities on $1.1bn senior secured bridge, term and ABL revolving facilities to finance its $1.37bn take-private of Foundation Building Materials,.
  • Advised Northeast Grocery, Inc on $873m ABL revolving and first and second lien term post-merger financing facilities.

White & Case LLP

White & Case LLP continues to stand out for offering formidable advice to premier banks and major direct lenders, while also maintaining a strong borrower-side offering for its corporate borrower and middle-market private equity clients. Led by Eliza McDougall from New York, the team frequently advises on leveraged financings and on complexly structured syndicated loans, including advising JP Morgan on a $1.9bn acquisition financing for Clearlake Capital’s portfolio company FINThrive. McDougall co-led on this financing with senior New York partner Eric Leicht, who is also a key contact for direct lending. Specializing in work for borrower clients, Justin Wagstaff, also works from New York and works closely with the firm’s M&A practice to advise on cross-border acquisition financings. The team is also increasingly active in assisting with preferred equity financings; key contacts in this space are Los Angeles-based Christoffer Adler as well as the Boston-based Vincenzo Lucibello, who joined the team alongside Jessica Ball from Proskauer Rose LLP in early 2022. The team underwent further expansion with the arrival of Brett Pallin from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in June 2022 and the hires of Judah Frogel and Rajani Gupta from Allen & Overy LLP in September 2022. Associate Timothy Landwehr has left the firm.

Practice head(s):

Eliza McDougall


Other key lawyers:

Eric Leicht; Justin Wagstaff; Rajani Gupta; Christoffer Adler; Binoy Dharia; Vincenzo Lucibello; Brett Pallin; Jessica Ball; Daniel Nam; Michael Smith; Elena Millerman; David Grotts; Judah Frogel


Testimonials

‘The team was great during a very complex and rushed transaction.’

‘Daniel Nam, Eric Leicht, Michael Smith, Elena Millerman and David Grotts are all subject-matter experts and good at thinking outside the box.’

‘White & Case does a great job knowing clients’ needs and being easy to work with.’

‘Eliza McDougall is very attuned to her clients, what their concerns / priorities are, and how best to address them. She is friendly, intelligent, thoughtful and easily accessible.’

Key clients

Ali Group S.r.l.


BMO Sponsor Finance


BNP Paribas


Bank of America


Barclays Bank


Citibank


Credit Suisse


Delivery Hero SE


Deutsche Bank


Goldman Sachs


Harvest Partners


ING Capital


JPMorgan Chase Bank


Jefferies Finance


JetBlue Airways Corporation


Macquarie Group


Marathon Oil Corporation


Milestone Environmental Services


Mill Point Capital


Mizuho Bank


Morgan Stanley


Natixis


Nordea


Pilot Travel Centers LLC


San Pasqual Casino Development Group, Inc.


Talen Energy Supply


The Hertz Corporation


The Provident Bank


Truist Bank


UBS AG


Work highlights


  • Advised JetBlue Airways Corporation on a $3.5bn senior secured bridge loan commitment to support JetBlue’s acquisition of Spirit Airlines, Inc.
  • Advised Ali Group on a $4.5bn multijurisdictional acquisition financing in connection with Ali Group’s acquisition of Welbilt, Inc.
  • Represented Delivery Hero FinCo LLC and Delivery Hero Finco Germany GmbH, as borrowers, in connection with a senior secured multicurrency facility comprising a $825m initial term loan and a €425m revolving credit facility.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP maintains clients on both sides of the debt finance market, with its notable borrower-side activities centered around high-value acquisition financings. Within this space, the team has conducted significant LBOs and advised on major take-private acquisitions. The firm boasts a large roster of private equity clients, serving as go-to counsel for Platinum Equity, and notably assisted corporate borrower Take-Two Interactive Software with a $2.7bn financing commitment for the acquisition of Zynga. In addition to acquisition financing work, the team also frequently assists investment-grade companies with asset-based loans and credit facility amendments. New York lawyers Andres Mena and Viktor Okasmaa co-lead the practice and are active on the firm’s most complex and high-value acquisition financing work. Outside New York, Archie Fallon and Jay Hughes are key names in a growing Houston-based team that advises borrowers in the energy sector, while Chicago-based Melainie Mansfield and Los Angeles-based Najeh Baharun are also recommended. Chicago-based associate Timothy Landwehr joined the team in May 2023.

Practice head(s):

Viktor Okasmaa; Andres Mena


Other key lawyers:

Melainie Mansfield; Archie Fallon; Daniel Durschlag; Jay Hughes; Najeh Baharun; Timothy Landwehr


Testimonials

‘Willkie has handled a lot of the financing work for our firm over the last decade plus in both North America and Europe. The team is super responsive and knowledgeable. Importantly, they are able to help distill complex legal topics into understandable decisions and commercial impacts of those decisions.’

‘Dan Durschlag is great. Super easy to get along with, in addition to being knowledgeable on private equity backed portco financing work.’

Key clients

Adams Street Partners


AlixPartners


Aquiline Capital Partners


Calvert Street Capital Partners


CapVest Partners


Court Square


Cowen


Dubin Clark & Company


FFL Partners


Fidelity National Information Services


Franchise Group


Gainline


Genstar Capital


Insight Partners


Investcorp


JP Morgan


MSD Partners


PBF Energy


Platinum Equity


Resideo


Take-Two Interactive Software


Work highlights


  • Advised Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. on all of the financing aspects of its $12.7bn acquisition of Zynga, Inc.
  • Represented Franchise Group in all the financing aspects of its acquisition of W.S. Badcock Corporation and bid for Kohl’s Inc.

WilmerHale

WilmerHale‘s debt finance practice advises a wide range of public and private companies on investment-grade and leveraged borrowing facilities, including secured term loans, asset-based loans, revolving facilities, and refinancings. The firm frequently acts as counsel to mid-market borrowers and corporations in the technology and life science sectors, notably advising Thermo Fisher Scientific on a $5bn refinancing matter this year. Led from Washington DC by Justin Ochs, the team also has a major presence in Colorado, where Denver-based partners Nathan Moore and Chalyse Robinson frequently assist corporate clients with debt financings. At associate level, Brandt Tierney, who practices from Boston, is also highly recommended.

Practice head(s):

Justin Ochs


Other key lawyers:

Chalyse Robinson; Nathan Moore; Brandt Tierney; Erika Robinson


Testimonials

‘We have a great working relationship and the team understands our business and specific needs. This year, we have used them for a 9-figure credit agreement refinancing project, and several smaller projects. We had some challenging covenant amendments that they helped us prepare for and navigate with our lender group, as well. The understanding of and engagement with our business team really stood out compared to other deals I’ve worked in the past.’

‘Justin Ochs and Brandt Tierney are both excellent to work with. Justin has an easy demeanor and has responded calmly to frantic calls from our business team, helped prepare them for tough conversations with lenders, and provided sound guidance on cold calls (no prep). Brandt also has an easy-to-work with style, is supportive of the business, understands our needs, and works efficiently on projects. We’ve actually outsourced more credit work to the firm because we know that they can complete financing projects more efficiently than we can do in-house. I would come back to the firm to work with both Justin and Brandt, if I were to leave this job, and would recommend them to colleagues.’

‘Justin Ochs, Erika Robinson and Nathan Moore are all excellent and personable.’

‘First and foremost, the knowledge of the team is second to none. The commitment to my company and the deadlines we work with makes it a no-brainer to work with WilmerHale. Their team is at our disposal day and night, and weekends as well. They commit to getting the job done, and they do it right. They never push an agenda on you, but rather give you a plethora of options to choose from and give you their full-hearted opinion on what they think about each of those options.’

‘Nathan Moore is by far one of the most knowledgeable individuals I have ever spoken to on the topic of commercial lending.’

Key clients

Agios Pharmaceuticals, Inc.


Aquent LLC


Eastman Chemical Company


Educational Testing Services


Eldridge Industries, LLC


Foodology


Iveric Bio, Inc.


Linse Capital Fund I LP


Lookout, Inc.


Medtronic plc


MicroStrategy Incorporated


PTC Therapeutics, Inc.


Stash Financial, Inc.


Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.


Werewolf Therapeutics, Inc.


Work highlights


  • Represented Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc in connection with refinancing its existing unsecured five-year revolving credit facility with a new $5bn unsecured five-year revolving credit facility.
  • Represented Medtronic PLC as borrower of a JPY300bn term loan.
  • Represented Eastman Chemical Company in amendments to and an extension of its $1.5bn five-year unsecured “green” revolving credit facility to include the addition of sustainability-linked pricing terms.

Winston & Strawn LLP

Winston & Strawn LLP’s offering to its middle-market lender clients encompasses refinancing work, senior term loans and revolving facilities, as well as leveraged and asset-based lending. In addition to a range of corporate borrowers, the firm primarily advises national banks such as Wells Fargo and also maintains a roster of alternative lender clients. Practice co-chairs Patrick Hardiman and Michael Mullins are based in Chicago, while co-chairs William Brewer and Mats Carlston work from New York. Key contacts across the US also include Dallas-based lawyer Brian Jansen as well as Jason Bennett, whose office is located in Charlotte. The firm also welcomed partners Sean Hilson, from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in May 2022 and Sanjay Thapar from Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP in August 2022. Ronald Jacobson has retired.


















Practice head(s):

Mats Carlston; Michael Mullins; William Brewer; Patrick Hardiman


Other key lawyers:

Jason Bennett; Brian Jansen; Sean Hilson; Sanjay Thapar


Testimonials

‘Positive attitude, collaboration, practical advice.’

‘David Baroni is always available and hands on. He actually works on his deals as opposed to passing them off to more junior members.’

Depth of knowledge and efficiency in assisting with distressed debt, equity and special situations settlements.

Long standing relationship means Tim Dable is able to help us quickly and efficiently. His years of expertise in the industry helps him provide thorough solutions on a timely basis.

Key clients

Antares Capital LP


Koppers


LBC Credit Partners


Motorola Solutions


Wells Fargo