Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP houses a team of ‘top-notch advisors’ and represents investment banks, issuers, funds and private equity sponsors in structuring and executing transactions across a broad range of asset classes, including CMBS and CLOs. The practice, which sits within the firm’s robust capital markets group, is jointly led by New York-based Mike Gambro and Stuart Goldstein, who operates from the firm’s Charlotte office. Gambro is noted for his expertise in mortgage-backed securities, in addition to regulatory issues, while Goldstein is a standout figure in the commercial real estate and CRE CLO arenas. Based in Washington DC, Gregg Jubin focuses on asset-based finance transactions, while New York’s Chris Gavin advises on residential mortgage securitizations, as well as MSR financing mandates. Also in the firm’s New York office, other key contacts in the team include Neil Weidner, who has experience in the securitization of traditional and non-traditional credit assets, and associate Michelle Abad, who focuses on residential and other asset-backed structure finance transactions. Esoteric ABS expert Ryan McNaughton joined the New York team from King & Spalding LLP in April 2023.

Praised as a ‘top-notch team, with knowledge, client service, productivity, efficiency and value’, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP frequently leverages the expertise of the firm’s restructuring, bankruptcy, M&A and energy groups to advise on distressed and rescue financings, as well as capital and fund formation and financing transactions. The team has demonstrable experience advising on master trust securitizations and blockchain originated consumer loans, in addition to litigation finance securitizations, auto loans and credit receivables. In the firm’s Richmond office, Mike Nedzbala, who is noted for his expertise in MSR transactions, jointly leads the practice alongside New York-based Brent Lewis, who handles regulatory compliance mandates. The New York office is also home to mortgage-related securitizations expert Thomas Hiner, ‘pragmatic’ Eric Burner and ‘meticulous’ John Dedyo, who ‘has years of experience with securitizations backed by various different types of assets’. Based in Richmond, Amy Williams advises on structuring and closing asset-based finance transactions, while Cecelia Horner focuses on the income tax aspects of domestic and cross-border secured financings. New York-based Brit Mohler Dufilho and Washington DC’s Edward Douma, who ‘has worked on bespoke financings and securitizations’, are also key contacts in the group.

The ‘knowledgeable, practical and commercial’ practice at Mayer Brown ‘excels in finding workable solutions to unique issues arising from unique products in securitizations’. Key areas of expertise concern consumer asset classes, particularly auto and credit card ABS mandates, in addition to mortgage-backed securities and residential solar loans, whilst maintaining an active CLO and DCO practice. In the firm’s Chicago office, credit card securitization specialist Julie Gillespie jointly leads the team alongside Ger O’Donnell, who advises on warehouse financings, asset purchases and private placements. Based in New York, Paul Jorissen is praised as a ‘standout lawyer and advisor’, and handles mortgage-backed securities, while Ryan Suda represents underwriters, managers and investors on cash-flow CLOs of broadly syndicated loans. Key contacts in the firm’s Chicago office include Stuart Litwin, who is noted for his expertise in the auto ABS arena, Jon Van Gorp and Angela Ulum, who focuses on auto and equipment loans, leases and floorplan assets in transactions. New York-based Amanda Baker counts fintech entities among her key roster of clients and Chicago’s Jan Stewart focuses on matters concerning credit card ABS. Carol Hitselberger retired in December 2022.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP boasts a strong track record in asset- and mortgage-backed securities, acting for financial institutions, investment funds, and issuers across the financial services, automotive, education, fintech, government, real estate, telecommunications and technology sectors. In the firm’s New York office, practice leader Reed Auerbach acts for underwriters and issuers on public and private offerings of asset- and mortgage-backed securities involving a broad range of assets, while Matthew Joseph advises on structuring innovative transactions with new asset types, or unique cash-flow and tax structures. Based in Washington DC, Jeffrey Johnson handles public and private issuances of ABS and MBS transactions, with a strong focus in the real estate sector, while New York’s Steve Levitan counts auto loans and lease receivables, student loans, warehouse lending financings and residential solar panel installation financings in his workload. The firm’s Washington DC office is home to Asa Herald, who advises on RMBS transactions and credit card receivables, and Paul St. Lawrence, who is a key figure in the CLO and residential mortgage finance arenas. Other key contacts in the group include Washington DC-based Mark Riccardi and Chicago’s Jeffrey Weinstein.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP offers a robust credit securitization practice, with demonstrable experience in commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, in addition to transactions involving esoteric and PACE assets. Other key areas of expertise include auto loan securitization programs and aircraft pooled lease securitizations. In the firm’s New York office, Robert Moyle leads the team and acts as transaction and underwriters’ counsel on American Express’ registered and unregistered securitization transactions, while Leah Sanzari spearheads the esoteric ABS practice in both the private placement and 144A markets. The New York office is also home to Janet Barbiere, who advises on CMBS transactions, and Howard Goldwasser, who focuses on structuring US CLOs and CDOs. Washington DC-based Michael Mitchell is a key figure in the consumer ABS arena, leveraging previous experience at the US Securities and Exchange Commission. New York-based William Cullen and Washington DC’s Mitchell Naumoff, who handles credit card-backed securities and other consumer receivables, are also key contacts in the group.

The New York-based securitization practice at Allen & Overy LLP ‘has the experience and expertise to tackle any challenge with ingenuity and creativity’. Counting underwriters, arrangers and domestic and foreign issuers among its key roster of clients, the team is prominent in the CLO arena, advising investment banks in the development of CLOs and warehousing platforms, in addition to representing collateral managers in inaugural CLOs. Lawrence Berkovich, who advises on syndicated and mid-market CLOs, rated and unrated leveraged loan warehouse and structured term financing facilities, ‘runs an exceptional team of talented partners and associates’ alongside John Hwang and Christopher Jackson; Hwang’s practice covers credit card and aircraft securitizations. Senior counsel Derek Poon and associate Luke Maiman are also key contacts in the group. Nick Robinson and Tracy Feng have left for Paul Hastings LLP.

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.

The ‘forward-thinking and innovative’ team at Dechert LLP is well-versed across a range of transaction types, from CRE securitizations, CMBS and resi-securitization mandates to CLOs and ABS, with notable experience advising on esoteric assets. Noted for its expertise in the real estate sector, the team counts bulge bracket banks, private investors and alternative financiers among its key roster of clients. In the firm’s Charlotte office, Stewart McQueen, who focuses on CMBS and CRE CLOs, leads the practice alongside head of the structured credit and CLO group, Christopher Duerden, and New York-based Ralph Mazzeo, who represents private equity and hedge fund managers in RMBS transactions. The New York office is also home to Laura Swihart, who stands out for her expertise in handling CMBS mandates, while Charlotte-based John Timperio advises on mid-market CLO transactions. Sarah Milam and Linda Bartosch, who operate from the firm’s New York and Philadelphia offices respectively, are also key names, alongside and New York’s Jay Southgate.

Noted for its expertise in the real estate finance and mortgage sectors, Dentons advises on the securitization of nonqualified mortgage loans, non-performing and re-performing mortgage loans, in addition to triple-net lease commercial real estate and residential mortgage-backed securities. The New York-based practice, which sits within the firm’s capital markets group, has recently been advising on warehouse liquidity securitizations backed by a range of asset types, including consumer loans, student loans, whole business loans and early buy-out loans. Stephen Kudenholdt, who focuses on residential mortgage loan securitizations and re-securitizations of mortgage-backed securities, jointly leads the team alongside Erik Klingenberg, who advises on commercial and residential mortgage-backed securities, in addition to CLOs. Scott Swerdloff has experience in the single-family rental market, while Robert Olin represents issuers and underwriters in residential mortgage-backed and asset-backed securitizations. Ryan Zucchetto, who advises on tax aspects of residential mortgage-backed securities transactions, is another key contact in the group.

Praised for its ‘depth of bench and market experience’, DLA Piper LLP (US) stands out for its capability in the CLO arena, with demonstrable experience advising on whole-business securitizations, insurance-linked securities, credit tenant lease financings and esoteric ABS. The team counts Goldman Sachs, Ares Management and BlackRock among its key roster of clients. In the firm’s New York office, practice leader Richard Reilly has experience acting as counsel to arrangers, collateral managers and investors on US and European CLOs, while Grant Buerstetta, who joined the team from Blank Rome LLP in June 2022, and Jay Williams are commended as ‘phenomenal professionals’. Clients have ‘a lot of trust in’ Los Angeles-based Claire Hall, whose practice covers a range of traditional and non-traditional assets classes, while Boston’s Andrew Sroka advises on commercial asset-backed loans. Based in New York, John Murphy is another key contact in the team.

‘With deep experience across a myriad of asset classes and structures’, Katten’s workload includes consumer and commercial finance mandates, in addition to esoteric and one-off transactions, including electric vehicle lease securitizations, capital market-based carbon offset credits and agricultural receivables. Housing a ‘deep bench of experienced partners and diligent associates’, the team is well-placed to advise on the regulatory and tax aspects of structured finance transactions. In the firm’s New York office, Chris DiAngelo acts as principal counsel to the Structured Finance Association (SFA) and is noted for his expertise in ABS and residential mortgage-backed securities. Washington DC’s Anna-Liza Harris, who focuses on the tax aspects of asset- and mortgage-backed securitizations, jointly leads the team alongside New York-based Howard Schickler, whose practice covers a range of asset classes, including esoteric assets. The New York office is also home to John Keiserman, who handles transactions involving motor vehicle collateral, while Washington DC-based Seth Messner is praised as ‘knowledgeable, practical and commercial’.

King & Spalding LLP has considerable experience advising on esoteric asset securitizations, non-traditional real estate ABS transactions, healthcare and trade receivables securitizations, in addition to mortgage repurchase transactions. The New York-based practice continues to consolidate its expertise in hybrid leveraged finance and securitization products, whole-business securitization and digital infrastructure securitization. Team leader Michael Urschel focuses on the securitization of restaurant concepts, digital infrastructure, cellular tower and distributed antenna operators, as well as solar and renewable energy assets. Jeff Misher handles structured transactions involving trade, loan and leasing receivables, while Jonathan Arkins, who advises on diverse asset types such as data centers and intellectual property license streams, is another key contact in the group. In January 2022, both Kathryn Weiss and Martin Eid were promoted to partner, and Washington DC-based David Ridenour joined the firm from DLA Piper LLP (US). Ryan McNaughton left the firm in April 2023.

Counting private equity firms and portfolio companies among its key roster of clients, Kirkland & Ellis LLP advises on asset-backed securitizations involving auto and equipment assets, in addition to oil and gas receivables, floorplan loans and healthcare receivables, among others. Noted for its expertise in whole-business securitizations, the team has demonstrable capability in handling a broad range of transactions involving mainstream assets. In the firm’s Chicago office, Jeffrey O’Connor, who focuses on auto and equipment, oil and gas, credit card and healthcare securitizations, jointly leads the team alongside New York-based Janette McMahan, who specializes in auto loan, auto lease, marketplace loan and trade receivables transactions. In Dallas, Rudgee Charles was promoted to partner in October 2022 and advises on a broad range of asset-backed securitizations. Joel Weinberger, who operates from the firm’s office in Chicago, is another key contact in the group.

Latham & Watkins LLP advises its roster of clients on transactions involving commercial and esoteric assets, including aircraft leases, cell and broadcast towers, and rental car fleets, with demonstrable experience in whole-business securitizations. The team is also noted for its expertise advising collateral managers and arrangers on CLO transactions, loan warehouses, financing of CLO equity and risk retention funds, as well as related regulatory issues. In the firm’s New York office, Loren Finegold serves as global vice chair of the structured finance and securitization practice, acting on the securitization of cellular towers and other telecoms assets, in addition to CLOs and CMBS transactions, among others. The New York office is also home to Kevin Fingeret, who focuses on esoteric and operating assets, while Graeme Smyth advises on music royalty securitizations. Based in Chicago, Matthew Hays has experience in the automotive finance, banking, technology and manufacturing sectors, while Los Angeles’ Douglas Burnaford advises on ABS and CLO transactions. Dominic Yoong and Vicki Marmorstein also operate from the firm’s Los Angeles office.

Counting arrangers, collateral managers, lenders, borrowers and investors among its key roster of clients, Paul Hastings LLP’s structured credit practice frequently collaborates with the firm’s finance, tax, regulatory and restructuring groups to advise on CLO transactions. In the firm’s New York office, Eugene Ferrer leads the team and advises on cash and synthetic CLOs, credit-linked notes and securities repackagings, while Washington DC-based Scott Faga acts for underwriters and collateral managers in CLO transactions, in addition to handling regulatory mandates. Other key contacts in the group, who have demonstrable experience in the CLO arena, include Nicole Skalla and Mary Kathryn Lee, who operate from the firm’s offices in New York and Washington DC respectively. The New York office is also home to senior associate Nicole Bright, who acts for investment banks, investment advisors and issuers on a broad range of CLO transactions. Nick Robinson and Tracy Feng have joined from Allen & Overy LLP.

The ‘incredible’ structured finance team at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has an ‘encyclopedic knowledge’ of a broad range of securitizations, counselling clients on innovative and complex transactions that involve a wide array of asset classes, including franchises, trade receivables and patent royalties. Jordan Yarett leads the predominantly New York-based team on whole business and asset-backed securitizations as well as being active advising state utility commission boards on utility stranded bonds and energy recovery bonds. The group shows skill in finance issues relating to the media and entertainment industry, with Robert Zochowski providing a key contact for clients concerned with film, television and sport financing deals. Charles Pesant is a standout figure for his experience in the securitization of diamond assets, recently advising Pluczenik Diamond Company in their inaugural cross-border inventory-based securitization, as well as having a broad knowledge of various esoteric assets. Claudine Meredith-Goujon is intimately familiar with securitizations concerning intellectual property as well as internet law issues, while Lawrence G. Wee focuses on high-debt deals and advising companies on their ongoing securities law and corporate governance matters.

The ‘practical’ and ‘impressive’ team at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP advises hedge funds, global investments managers and financial services on the structuring of a range of asset class transactions, especially CLOs. The practice also competently handles transactions that involve esoteric assets, including diamond sales, music royalties and receivables relating to oil and gas. Team head Frank Nocco regularly leads these esoteric matters, as well as ABS transactions, single seller and multi-seller commercial paper vehicles, and both offshore and domestic special purpose vehicles. Nocco’s team includes the experienced Shawn Kodes, who acts on a variety of issues including auto loans and leases, credit card receivables, unsecured consumer loans and healthcare receivables, as well as providing clients with advice on recent reform legislation and the impact it may have on their business and structured products. Jason Smith is also active in the practice, with expertise in rental car fleet financings, vehicle and equipment fleet lease securitization, and collateralized bond and loan obligation transactions.

The structured finance team at White & Case LLP works closely with the firm’s capital markets team in order to offer clients expert market knowledge alongside a comprehensive service full of technical expertise. The group is able to tackle both traditional and esoteric asset type transactions involving blue-chip and Fortune 500 multinational corporations and financial services. Furthermore, the practice demonstrates notable skill in rental car securitizations and financings, as well as asset-backed notes offerings and CLOs. David Thatch heads the team and is highly experienced in esoteric securitizations, leveraged investment funds and CLOs. Jim Fogarty covers the full range of financing issues and provides trusted counsel to clients wishing to navigate the current regulatory environment in regard to the Dodd-Frank Act, the Volcker Rule and risk retention. Elizabeth Devine is a key contact for US and cross-border receivables transactions, investment funds and structured credit facilities, while Carla Moore has been active in CLO issuances and whole business securitizations transactions. All lawyers are based in New York.

Winston & Strawn LLP‘s structured finance practice has strength in a number of niche market fields, resulting in the team being a key point of contact for many clients looking for focused, experienced expertise. The group demonstrate expertise in Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) bonds and residential and commercial projects, and also provide counsel to market lending platforms regarding formation, regulatory compliance and portfolio securitization. Furthermore, the practice is extremely knowledgeable of transportation finance issues and assets, including aircraft engines, railroad rolling stock and land-based fleets. Francisco Flores and Jeffrey Stern co-head the practice from Los Angeles and New York respectively, with the former focusing on automobile leases, commercial and residential mortgages and solar energy receivables, and the latter on CLOs and esoteric asset finance and securitization. Chicago’s Nolan Bolduc is active in matters regarding secured and unsecured credit facilities and works alongside Michael Mullins who regularly counsels alternative asset managers, captive finance companies and hedge funds. Eunice Chay is active on a range of matters from the Los Angeles office, including the firm’s leading PACE financing work.

Eversheds Sutherland has a diverse and experienced structured finance team that advises on whole business loan securitizations as well as public and private commercial mortgage-backed securities. The practice is particularly skilled in CMBS and CLO deals, regularly working with large master and special servicers both domestically and abroad. John Benson heads the team from New York and advises on securitized commercial real estate loans and affiliated debt products, while co-head and Washington DC-based Lisa Rosen is highly adept at counselling clients on compliance issues regarding securitization in addition to novel deal structuring issues. Atlanta’s Brennan Posner works with fintech, investment management firms and business development companies on asset-backed securitization and CLO transactions, whereas Thomas Dugan is a key contact in the Washington DC office for real estate matters including conduit securitizations, SASB securitizations and commercial mortgage-backed securities.

Norton Rose Fulbright serves as a go-to for complex and sophisticated structured finance transactions and counsel, representing issuers, warehouse lenders, servicers and investors on a range of asset types. Niche areas of expertise in the market include solar loans, property assessed clean energy bonds, pharmaceutical royalties, and aircraft leases. Team head and New York-based Patrick Dolan  regularly takes the lead on matters regarding these esoteric assets, as well as competently handling more traditional asset-backed and mortgage-backed securitizations. Co-head Andrew Coronios , also based in New York, is intimately familiar with both domestic and cross-border syndicated credit facilities and lease financing structures, while third practice head Eric Tashman, operating from the firm’s San Francisco office, has expertise in structuring and implementing utility securitization for investor-owned utilities and State-sponsored issuers.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is highly active in the digital infrastructure, energy and transportation industries, representing clients in a range of asset-backed transactions involving commercial paper, aircraft leases, bank credit card receivables and dark fiber revenue. Standout recent work for the team includes counselling the initial purchasers in a series of asset-backed note offerings from both Enterprise Fleet Management and Avis Budget Group, in addition to work with the Railroad commission of Texas regarding the issuance of a financing order. John Schueller fronts the practice and has extensive expertise on auto loans and leases, timeshare loans and fleet leases, also regularly providing advising executives and managers regarding CLOs.