Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP > New York, United States > Firm Profile

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP
200 LIBERTY STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10281
NEW YORK
United States

Finance > Structured finance: derivatives and structured products Tier 1

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s derivatives and structured products practice is a key point of contact for banks, investors, hedge funds, commodity pools, private equity funds, issuers and many other actors for expertise in the full range of asset classes and product types. The team fields heteregenous OTC derivative experience, having previously operated in caps, floors, forwards, swaps, and other options linked to equity, currency, interest rate, income, and other underlying asset classes. Ivan Loncar is a fields a strong track record in unfunded derivatives, such as interest rate and total return swaps, along with funded derivatives such as credit linked notes. He co-heads the team with Lary Stromfeld , who has extensive experience in credit derivatives, swaps and other transactions, along with a strong track record in ISDA and Dodd-Frank regulatory queries. Jed Miller is turned to by clients for his risk transfer expertise. Brian Foster’s practice encompasses OTC trades, forwards, swaps and equity derivatives, while Peter Malyshev is highly active in the cross-border OTC derivative transaction space, including including those involving fintech and digital assets. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Practice head(s):

James Frazier; Ivan Loncar

Other key lawyers:

Jed Miller; Brian Foster; Peter Malyshev

Key clients

Alternative Reference Rates Committee (ARRC) and Numerous Global Banks

Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

A number of regional banks and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs)

A number of the largest internationally active financial institutions

Nearwater Capital

A G-SIB

Global alternative investment manager

A U.S. G-SIB

A fintech bank

Work highlights

  • Represented Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (“Assured”) in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73 billion of outstanding bond debt, the largest-ever U.S. municipal debt restructuring and the first bankruptcy of any U.S. territory.
  • Advised a leading alternative investment manager in connection with the first investor-sponsored, SPV-issued CLN referencing corporate loans – $687 million of CLNs referencing a $5.5 billion portfolio of corporate loans owned by one of the 10 largest U.S. banks.

Finance > Structured finance: securitization Tier 1

The securitisation offering at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is well established in the market, being frequently sought after by a portfolio of clients that includes BNP Paribas, JP Morgan, Wells Fargo and others for CLO, ABS, CMBS, RMBS and various other transactions. Based out of New York, Mike Gambro is particularly well-versed in CMBS transactions, and co-heads the team with the Charlotte-based Stuart Goldstein, who is often sought after by clients for his expertise in CRE CLOs and any ancillary commercial real estate securitization matters. Neil Weidner is adept in securitisation of conventional and unconventional credit assets, alongside his experience in CLO transactions. Ryan McNaughton is a key member of the team for ABS transactions, lending to the team his expertise in esoteric asset-backed securities, including media royalties, whole business and digital infrastructure. Sophie Cuthbertson and Joseph Beach are also cornerstones of the team, with Beach’s experience in syndicated and middle market CLOs complementing Cuthbertson’s work on alternative securities structures and assets including solar and student loans. Lisa Pauquette advises financial actors in various CMBS securitisations, alongside Jeffrey Rotblat. Adam Risell has departed the team. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Practice head(s):

Michael Gambro; Stuart Goldstein

Key clients

BNP Paribas

Morgan Stanley, ATLAS SP Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities, Goldman Sachs, Santander US Capital Markets and Performance Trust Capital Partners, as Placement Agents (MF1 2024-FL15 LLC)

CIBC Bank (Trinitas CLO XXV)

Cantor Fitzgerald and ING (Alterna Funding 2024-1)

JPMorgan and Freddie Mac

Goldman Sachs (GS Mortgage Securities Corporation Trust 2024-MARK)

JP Morgan, Citi and Deutsche Bank (BX 2024-BIO)

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC., as Placement Agent (LMREC 2024-CRE5)

Värde Partners

Société Générale

GreensLedge Capital Markets LLC (Deerpath CLO 2018-1 reset)

Morgan Stanley

Benefit Street Partners L.L.C. (BSPRT 2024-FL11)

AXA Investment Managers

Voya Alternative Asset Management (Voya 2024-5)

Truist Securities, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities, LLC and ING Financial Markets LLC

Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Bank of Montreal; Barclays, 3650 REIT, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, Benefit Street

Wells Fargo (VCC Varagon CLO 1)

Goldman Sachs (ELM Trust 2024-ELM)

Deutsche Bank Securities (Golub Capital Partners CLO 8)

Work highlights

  • Represented BNP Paribas in its $5 billion strategic financing and capital markets collaboration with ATLAS SP Partners (ATLAS), the warehouse finance and securitized products business majority owned by Apollo (NYSE: APO) funds.
  • Represented JP Morgan, Citi and Deutsche Bank as lenders in a $1.2 billion loan in connection with three life sciences properties in San Francisco and Cambridge, owned by Blackstone.
  • Closed two CMBS conduit securitizations that collectively included more than $1.975 billion of commercial mortgage loans, where Cadwalader represented each issuer as well as 10 of the 16 loan sellers

M&A/corporate and commercial > M&A: middle-market ($500m-999m) Tier 1

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP’s prominent market reputation is evidenced by its frequent involvement in complex and cross-border M&A, often representing leading financial institutions and investment banks. Clients praise the New York-based group’s ‘outstanding business acumen’, where co-heads William Mills and Richard Brand are jointly skilled in public and private M&A, divestitures, takeover defense, joint ventures, and spin-offs. Stephen Fraidin represents bidders and targets in high-profile M&A, Gregory Patti counsels clients on negotiated acquisitions and advises special purpose acquisition companies on various transactions, and Nick Ramphal adeptly handles leveraged buyouts and M&A in the tech and insurance sectors. Daniel Raglan showcases transactional expertise in the data and analytics fields.

Practice head(s):

William Mills; Richard Brand

Testimonials

‘Legal expertise combined with outstanding business acumen and exceptional responsiveness.’

‘We recommend Richard Brand and Greg Patti.’

Key clients

AlTi Tiedemann Global (“AlTi”)

AngioDynamics

Mason Capital Management

Pershing Square SPARC Holdings

TSD Mobility Solutions

Work highlights

  • Advised Pershing Square SPARC Holdings in the successful registration of a first-of-its-kind Special Purpose Acquisitions Rights Company (SPARC), led by investor Bill Ackman.
  • Advised the investment vehicle of an ultra-high-net-worth Saudi Arabian family on an investment more than $1bn in a global children’s clothing retailer.
  • Advising the world’s leading steel and mining company in its acquisition of a substantial stake in a South American renewable energy provider.

Tax > Financial products Tier 1

The New York based team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is prominent for its transactional work, in which the the firm has employed a variety of spin-offs, inversions, Reverse Morris Trusts and a number of sophisticated securitization vehicles. The team is also capable in handling the restructuring of foreign debt or new money investments by foreign entities, as well as ERISA issues and REMIC tax issues. Linda Swartz leads the practice and focuses her practice on structuring global mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures and restructurings. Jon Brose assists managers, underwriters, issuers and placement agents on tax issues relating to structured finance and securitization vehicles. Based in Washington DC, Mark Howe focuses his practice is concentrated in partnerships, financial products, securitization, the tax aspects of capital markets, general corporate finance, securities, and commodities. William Walsh is a key conatct.

Practice head(s):

Linda Swartz

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

BNP Paribas

AlTi Tiedemann Global (“AlTi”)

Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

A number of regional banks and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs)

A leading global alternative investment manager

AXA Investment Managers

Bank of America

Goldman Sachs, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Bank of Montreal; Barclays, 3650 REIT, UBS, Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, Benefit Street

Deutsche Bank Securities, Inc. and Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A.

Work highlights

  • Representing BNP Paribas, in its $5 billion strategic financing and capital markets collaboration with ATLAS SP Partners.
  • Advised Morgan Stanley as underwriter in a $947.8 million commercial mortgage-backed security multi-borrower transaction issued by Freddie Mac.
  • Representing Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73 billion of outstanding bond debt.

Finance > Commercial lending: Advice to bank lenders Tier 2

Noted for its strength in secured and unsecured direct lending, as well as single-bank transactions, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is a key contact for hedge funds and private credit funds. In Charlotte, Ronald Lovelace is often engaged in debt financing, leveraged financing, and restructuring distressed credits. Lovelace’s recent caseload encompasses advising Citizens Bank as the lead arranger on a $350m term loan facility. Christopher McDermott is proficient in syndicated bank financings, leveraged buy-outs, and exit financings, while Wesley Misson is vastly experienced in advising financial institutions in subscription credit facilities, hybrid facilities, and NAV facilities. Jeffrey Nagle is noted for his strength in distressed debt trading, asset-based lending, and energy project financing. Nagle recently advised MUFG Bank Ltd as the administrative agent in a $1.9bn secured borrowing base facility. Other key members of the team include Joey Polonsky and Patrick Yingling .

Practice head(s):

Ronald Lovelace; Christopher McDermott; Wesley Misson; Jeffrey Nagle

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

JPMorgan

BNP Paribas

Citizens Bank

MUFG Bank

Sound Point Capital Management

Work highlights

  • Advised BNP Paribas on its $5 billion strategic financing and capital markets collaboration with ATLAS SP Partners (ATLAS), the warehouse finance and securitized products business majority owned by Apollo funds.
  • Advised a major U.S. bank as the lead arranger, structuring agent, and administrative agent on a broadly syndicated and cross-border multicurrency $1.3 billion subscription-secured credit facility for a top global private equity fund as borrower, which was one of the largest subscription line transactions closed in 2024.
  • Advised various lenders in closing of two credit facilities totaling $2.1 billion by Castleton Commodities International LLC (CCI), a global energy commodity merchant.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): municipal Tier 2

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has strong senior bench of experienced municipal finance and municipal restructuring specialists. The firm operates on the creditor side and is further recognised for its expertise in municipal credit and securitization, along with distressed municipal credit risk. It has landed major roles in a series of significant municipal restructurings, including Jefferson County (Alabama), Detroit (Michigan), and Puerto Rico. It represented bond insurer Assured Guaranty in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73bn of bond debt. Lary Stromfeld is a hugely experienced practitioner with wide-ranging experience in derivatives, through to public finance and municipal restructurings. Ivan Loncar is another prominent figure in municipal finance, including distressed municipal finance. Ingrid Bagby and Casey Servais are also noted for municipal bankruptcies. All named individuals are based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Ivan Loncar; Casey Servais

Other key lawyers:

Lary Stromfeld; Ingrid Bagby

Key clients

Assured Guaranty Corp and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Goldman Sachs

MBIA

Work highlights

  • Advised bond insurers Assured Guaranty Corp and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73bn of bond debt.
  • Advised the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in the development, documentation and implementation of the $600bn Main Street Lending Program, a key component of the Federal Reserve Board’s historic actions to provide up to $2.3tr in loans to support the US economy in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

M&A/corporate and commercial > Shareholder activism Tier 2

A full-service firm with a dedicated shareholder activism team, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s practice has an experienced and deep bench with a track record of success working with prominent activist investors on market-shaping deals. The practice is led by corporate group co-chair William Mills, whose range of expertise covers shareholder activist campaigns, proxy contests, tender offers and fiduciary governance issues for clients ranging from large funds and investment banks to distressed companies and assets. Stephen Fraidin is a leading specialist in the context of hostile M&A, hedge fund activism and SPACs, and Gregory Patti works on governance and securities matters as well as in cross-border corporate transactions, representing SPACs as well as public and private acquirors. Daniel Raglan is a prominent transactional lawyer in the software, data, and analytics industries. Richard Brand left the firm in February 2025. All attorneys based in New York.

Practice head(s):

William Mills

Work highlights

Real estate > Real estate finance Tier 2

Lauded for its expertise in CMBS transactions, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s practice places an emphasis on the origination of mortgage and mezzanine loans. Beyond the practice’s focus on commercial real estate loan originations, the team also advises on a growing stream of refinancing mandates. Among its clientele are financial institutions JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, who turn for their most complex lending work, including syndicated lending matters. In Charlotte, Holly Chamberlain‘s impressive track record extends to SASB securitised deals and refinancing existing CMBS loans. Also in Charlotte, both Molly Lovedale and Christopher Dickson have experience with multi-state, multi-property pooled transactions and are noted for capabilities in the servicing and sale of mortgage loans, mezzanine loans, and participation interests. Working with Neuman in New York, real estate finance lawyer Nicholas Brandfon acts on loan sales, restructurings, and bankruptcy-related matters. Former practice head Bonnie Neuman moved to Sidley Austin LLP in April 2025.  

Key clients

Kayne Anderson

Deutsche Bank and Bank of Montreal

JP Morgan, Citibank and Deutsche Bank

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

Deutsche Bank Securities

UBS AG

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.

JPMorgan and Freddie Mac

Wells Fargo Bank, Bank of America and JPMorgan

SMBC

Work highlights

  • Represented the real estate investment arm of Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors, L.P. in the acquisition of a $1.3 billion medical office loan portfolio from regional bank Synovus Bank.
  • Represented JP Morgan, Citi and Deutsche Bank as lenders in a $1.2 billion loan in connection with three life sciences properties in San Francisco and Cambridge, owned by Blackstone.
  • Represented Wells Fargo in the origination of a floating rate financing secured by 10 garden style and mid-rise luxury apartment properties in Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas.

Tax > International tax Tier 2

The New York based team at Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is prominent for its transactional work, focused on tax-free and tax-efficient M&A structures, which the firm has employed to international mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, inversions, and Reverse Morris Trusts. The team is also well-regarded for its restructuring practice which assists debtors and creditors, as well as investors, committees, and other creditor groups, in cross-border restructurings, bankruptcy proceedings, workouts, and other distressed situations. The team is capable in handling the restructuring of foreign debt or new money investments by foreign entities, as well as ERISA issues and REMIC tax issues. Linda Swartz leads the practice and focuses her practice on structuring global mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, joint ventures, and restructurings. Jon Brose assists managers, underwriters, issuers, and placement agents on tax issues relating to CLOs, CRTs, SRTs, and other structured finance and securitization vehicles. William Walsh is also a key contact.

Practice head(s):

Linda Swartz

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

BNP Paribas

AlTi Tiedemann Global (“AlTi”)

A number of regional banks and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs)

A leading global alternative investment manager

Integrated Whale Media Investments (“IWM”)

Multinational drink and brewing company

Barings

ATLAS SP Partners

Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

AXA Investment Managers

Nearwater Capital

Work highlights

  • Represented AlTi Tiedemann Global, a publicly traded international wealth management and alternative investments corporation with approximately $68 billion in assets, in securing a strategic investment of up to $450 million in growth capital from Allianz X and Constellation Wealth Capital.
  • Assisted BNP Paribas in its $5 billion strategic financing and capital markets collaboration with ATLAS SP Partners.
  • Integrated Whale Media Investments on both the proposed $800 million sale of majority ownership in Forbes Global Media Holdings to an investor group led by Austin Russell.

Antitrust > Civil litigation/class actions: plaintiff Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP continues to represent a wide range of publicly and privately owned food and beverage companies in high-stakes antitrust litigation across federal and state courts. The team frequently handles major opt-out cases, including ongoing antitrust litigation in the broiler chicken, pork, and beef industries. Co-chair Philip Iovieno has built a strong reputation for recovering funds on behalf of corporate clients affected by cartels and other antitrust violations. Nicholas Gravante brings extensive trial experience in civil and criminal antitrust litigation and appeals. Lawrence Brandman strengthens the team with his deep understanding of the antitrust implications of bankruptcy and restructuring. All mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Philip Iovieno; Brian Wallach

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

McDonald’s Corporation

Costco Wholesale Corporation

Panda Restaurant Group

BJ’s Wholesale Club

Rumble

Kraft Heinz Foods Company

Work highlights

  • Representing more than a dozen opt-out plaintiffs in an ongoing antitrust lawsuit alleging that broiler chicken producers colluded to fix prices.  
  • Representing Rumble as a plaintiff in an ongoing antitrust litigation alleging that Google monopolized the market for online video sharing and viewing services.
  • Representing all opt-out plaintiffs in ongoing antitrust litigation alleging that the leading suppliers of Beef participated in a price-fixing conspiracy.

Dispute resolution > Securities litigation: defense Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP‘s New York-based team is well-versed at handling securities class action matters and shareholder derivative litigation for public companies, and their directors and officers, in courts throughout the country. In this context, the team is also able to advise on parallel regulatory investigations, as well as being adept at providing risk management advice. Another strength is its ability to work closely with other practice groups, most notably capital markets, derivatives and financial services regulatory, of particular benefit to clients engaged in securities matters involving complex financial products. Ellen Holloman is pivotal to many of the highest-profile cases the team handles, including for Nikola Motors on securities litigation following a de-SPAC procedure. Jonathan Watkins, who splits his time between New York and Charlotte, co-heads the team alongside Holloman and excels in representing public and private businesses and financial institutions in complex litigation and regulatory and white-collar investigations. White-collar defense and investigations specialist Kenneth Breen and seasoned trial lawyer Phara Guberman are also pivotal to the team’s success, as is Philip Khinda, who heads up the firm’s SEC enforcement and crisis management practices.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Watkins; Ellen Holloman

Other key lawyers:

Kenneth Breen; Phara Guberman; Philip Khinda; Nick Gravante; Jared Stanisci; Matthew Karlan; Adam Magid; Jayshree Balakrishnan; Zack Schrieber

Key clients

Nikola Motors

Morgan Stanley & Co.

Endurance U.S. Holding Corp.

Janus Henderson

Sphinx Investment Corp.

Cavco Industries, Inc.

Work highlights

  • Representing Nikola Motors and its former SPAC directors in all proceedings and investigations.
  • Representing Sphinx Investment Corp., a company owned by George Economou, in the Sphinx v. Seanergy litigation filed in March 2024 in The High Court of the Republic of the Marshall Islands against Seanergy Maritime Holdings Corp.
  • Representing Morgan Stanley in an internal employment investigation of improper device usage for off-channel communications related to its bank business.

Tax > US taxes: non-contentious Tier 3

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has a strong financial services focus, advising domestic and multinational corporations, private equity firms, and investment banks on complex transactions, including M&A, spin-offs, and joint ventures. The firm also has vast experience with bankruptcy tax matters, ERISA issues, and REMIC taxation. Practice lead Linda Swartz is ‘knowledgeable, practical, and personable,’ specializing in corporate reorganizations, debt restructurings, and distressed M&A. Andrew Carlon focuses on corporate transactions such as cross-border restructurings and a variety of spin-offs, including pro-rata spin-offs and IPO-spin combinations. Jon Brose advises on commercial transactions and capital market activities and has experience with a variety of investment strategies. William Walsh is also a key figure within the group. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Linda Swartz

Other key lawyers:

Andrew Carlon; Jon Brose; Gary Silverstein; Mark Howe; William Walsh

Testimonials

‘Linda Swartz — knowledgeable, practical, personable.’

 

Key clients

BNP Paribas

AlTi Tiedemann Global (“AlTi”)

AngioDynamics

Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp.

Integrated Whale Media Investments (“IWM”)

Multinational drink and brewing company

Integrated Whale Media Investments (“IWM”)

A number of regional banks and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs)

A leading global alternative investment manager

Multinational drink and brewing company

AXA Investment Managers

TSD Rental

Bank of America

Work highlights

  • Representing Assured Guaranty Corp. and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp. (“Assured”) in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73 billion of outstanding bond debt, the largest-ever U.S. municipal debt restructuring and the first bankruptcy of any U.S. territory.
  • Representing AlTi Tiedemann Global, a publicly traded, international wealth management and alternative investments corporation with approximately $68 billion in assets, in securing a strategic investment of up to $450 million in growth capital from Allianz X and Constellation Wealth Capital (CWC).
  • Representing BNP Paribas in its $5 billion strategic financing and capital markets collaboration with ATLAS SP Partners.

Dispute resolution > Corporate investigations and white-collar criminal defense

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP boasts a strong practice in white-collar criminal defense and corporate investigations, specializing in FCPA investigations and enforcement with the DOJ and SEC. The firm handles complex matters, including financial fraud, money laundering, healthcare fraud, cybersecurity, economic sanctions, and more. Martin Weinstein , based in Washington, D.C., focuses on financial fraud, compliance investigations, and enforcement. Anne Tompkins , based in Charlotte, and Douglas Gansler in Washington DC, represent clients in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Kenneth Breen, based in New York, handles high-profile criminal and regulatory matters. Jonathan Watkins, in New York and Charlotte, provides expert counsel on government and internal investigations, particularly in technology. New additions Laura Perkins and Tom Grodecki  further strengthen the firm’s white-collar defense and cross-border compliance capabilities.

Practice head(s):

Key clients

A children’s not-for-profit organization

Morgan Stanley & Co.

Government Agency

An activist investment fund

Boston Consulting Group

Snap Finance LLC

Tesla, Inc.

Red Ventures, LLC and MYMOVE, LLC

Global Financial Services Firm

Former CEO of SCANA Corporation

Work highlights

  • Represented Boston Consulting Group (BCG) in an investigation by the DOJ’s FCPA Unit and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York concerning potential corruption in Angola.
  • Represented Morgan Stanley, an investment bank, in an internal employment investigation regarding unauthorized device usage for off-channel communications related to bank business.
  • Representing the former SCANA Corporation CEO in litigation stemming from the abandonment of an $11 billion South Carolina nuclear reactor construction project.
  • Represented Georgia K. Angelos in a series of cases in which her son sought control of the Baltimore Orioles, MASN, and other assets of Peter G. Angelos.

Finance > Financial services regulation

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP provides regulatory compliance and transactional advice to a wide range of financial institutions, including banks and non-bank lenders. The firm’s banking practice is led by Andrew Karp, who is based in New York, and offers guidance on various regulatory requirements, including capital requirements, the Volcker Rule, and structured finance regulations. In June 2024, Christopher Horn joined the team, bringing significant experience in advising on the regulatory aspects of securitization and structured finance. The firm’s consumer finance practice is led by Mercedes Tunstall in Washington DC, and focuses on helping clients comply with both federal and state consumer finance laws. Tunstall has particular expertise in payment and deposit regulations, as well as matters involving enforcement actions by the CFPB. The team regularly works with mortgage providers, auto lenders, and fintech companies to address complex regulatory challenges.

Practice head(s):

Andrew Karp; Mercedes Kelley Tunstall

Other key lawyers:

Jeff Nagle

Testimonials

‘Very deep knowledge of fund finance market – market leader in the field. Great coverage of leading sponsors and lenders in the market.’

‘Jeff Nagle is very knowledgeable and experienced, a stand out advisor in the space. ’

‘Their teams as able to coordinate complex cross-border transactions very well and tend to be very pragmatic and commercial to get the deal done, including in difficult circumstances. This is consistent across all offices and teams we worked with. ’

‘We have had the opportunity to work with a great number of lawyers at this firm. Amongst the partners with whom we worked with recently, Wesley Misson, Joe Zeidner, Kurt Oosterhouse, Skyler Walker, Leah Edelboim stand out as very knowledgeable, very responsive, very supportive of their local counsel and easy to work with. ’

‘The CWT consumer finance team is unique in its combination of thorough knowledge of core CFPB and FTC consumer finance provisions, along with its strong understanding of the interplay with Fintech and Crypto currency providers. In many ther firms, those groups are more separate.’

‘Mercedes Tunstall is a stand out partner, as she has deep knowledge of consumer finance regulation, along with state lending and money transmitter provisions. She has built on that knowledge to have a firm grasp of the burgeoning crypto currency space. ’

‘Mercedes is an excellent attorney. ’

‘Mercedes Kelly is very smart and has an incredible background. She has a deep tech background which means she can review some bank systems to see if they operate the way the bank says they operate. She was also with the FTC. She has a great depth in lending and many banking laws as well, and privacy too.

Work highlights

  • Advising a number of regional banks and Global Systemically Important Banks (GSIBs) in connection with advising them on capital relief trades (CRTs).
  • Advising BNY Mellon and IntraFI Network in connection with their involvement in a significant regulatory and transactional matter.
  • Advising BNY Mellon in structuring several billion dollar custody solutions for Futures Commission Merchants (FCMs) and Derivatives Clearing Organizations (DCOs) to collect and hold regulatory margin.
  • Advising one of the largest banking institutions in the United States, on an ongoing basis to provide regulatory expertise related to consumer financial services issues.
  • Advised a global leader in money transfer services, in connection with an investigation by the FTC, regarding potential violations of consumer protection laws.

Labor and employment > Employee benefits, executive compensation and retirement plans: transactional Tier 4

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP handles pension plan investments, structuring innovative investment vehicles, and regulatory ERISA matters. The firm represents financial services firms, hedge funds, private equity sponsors, and corporate boards, advising on compliance and transactional issues. James Frazier specialises in ERISA fiduciary standards and prohibited transaction provisions, representing clients in complex regulatory matters and before the Department of Labor. Andrew O’Brien focuses on M&A, leveraged buyouts, and executive compensation, advising public and private companies, management teams, and senior executives on employment and separation agreements, incentive compensation structures, and non-qualified retirement programs. All lawyers mentioned are in New York.

Practice head(s):

James Frazier; Andrew O’Brien

Testimonials

‘James Frazier is an expert in his field and very knowledgeable and responsive and has strong colleagues he can turn to for additional expertise and assistance.’

 

Key clients

BlackRock

Bank of America

JPMorgan

Morgan Stanley

TSD Rental

UBS

Work highlights

  • Advising multiple financial services firms and an important financial services firm trade association regarding issues associated with the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposed amendments to Prohibited Transaction Class Exemption 84-14 (the so-called “QPAM Exemption”).
  • Represented Bank of America in connection with the closing of its purchase of approximately $2.8 billion in multifamily loans from Washington Federal.
  • Represented various lenders on a series of financing transactions involving Hartree Partners, LP, Sprague Operating Resources LLC and various subsidiaries and affiliates.

Finance > Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate Tier 6

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP has an illustrious history in restructurings and bankruptcies on both sides of the Atlantic. It is particularly known for creditor and investor representations in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings. It frequently represents UK and European funds and creditors on chapter 11 cases and other aspects of US bankruptcy law. It is also widely rated for its expertise in bankruptcy issues relating to structured finance products and the structuring of transactions for bankruptcy risk. The immensely experienced Gregory Petrick chairs the financial restructuring group, splitting his time between New York and London; he is co-chair of the London office. Ingrid Bagby and Michele Maman are also integral members of the team with extensive backgrounds in bankruptcy and financial restructuring. Casey Servais is also noted for bankruptcy litigation and financial restructuring. All named individuals are based or partially based in New York.

Practice head(s):

Gregory Petrick

Other key lawyers:

Key clients

Amynta Surety Solutions

Assured Guaranty Corp and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp

Cooperative Rabobank

Federal Reserve Bank of Boston

Goldman Sachs

J Aron & Company

MBIA

Work highlights

  • Advised Assured Guaranty Corp and Assured Guaranty Municipal Corp in connection with the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico’s restructuring of approximately $73bn of outstanding bond debt.
  • Advised a consortium of the world’s largest financial institutions in connection with bankruptcy-remote commercial mortgage loan originations and commercial mortgaged-backed securitizations.
  • Advised Goldman Sachs on the issuance of $300m in bonds backed by a floating-rate loan to the Alexico Group.

Firm overview: Established in New York in 1792, Cadwalader is a trusted advisor to many of the world’s leading financial institutions, corporations and investment funds, with more than 225 years of experience crafting innovative solutions for our clients’ most complex legal issues.

Main areas of practice
Capital markets: The team is widely recognized as a premier global legal advisor in securitization and structured finance. It represents investment banks, issuers, funds and private equity sponsors in structuring and executing transactions across a broad array of structured products and asset classes, including ABS, CLOs, CMBS, CRE CLOs, RMBS, structured workout financings and whole loan sales.

Corporate: Cadwalader represents companies, financial institutions, private equity firms and other investors across the full spectrum of complex negotiated and hostile corporate transactions, including mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures, divestitures and spinoffs, as well as public and private debt and equity securities offerings, both shareholder activism and takeover preparedness, and related corporate governance and securities law matters.

Finance: Cadwalader advises financial institutions, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers in a wide variety of financing transactions, including acquisition, leveraged and other syndicated financings; senior secured, second lien and mezzanine loans; asset-based lending transactions; commodities financings; the financing of financial assets; and rescue financing, workouts, debtor-in-possession financings and exit financings.

Financial restructuring: Cadwalader regularly advises agents, noteholders, official creditor committees, ad hoc creditor committees and various other creditor constituencies, as well as debtors, in bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings in the US and abroad. It also counsels strategic investors and market participants on bankruptcy issues related to financings and acquisitions involving distressed entities.

Financial services: The firm advises clients on statutory and regulatory requirements, including those governing broker-dealers, securities and futures exchanges, banks, investment advisers and funds. It advises hedge funds and asset managers on structuring funds and raising capital. It also represents issuers, dealers and end-users on complex derivatives and structured products transactions.

Fund finance: The firm’s market-leading team represents financial institutions as lenders and lead agents on the full range of fund finance products, including subscription credit facilities, hybrid facilities, leverage facilities, management fee and GP lines of credit, equity commitment facilities and credit-enhanced corporate loans, for private equity funds sponsored by many of the world’s preeminent fund sponsors.

Litigation: Cadwalader’s full-service, transatlantic litigation team handles all aspects of dispute resolution, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Its trial practice helps clients successfully navigate enterprise-threatening litigation with confidence. It protects and defend our clients in a broad range of strategic areas, including antitrust, corporate and financial services litigation and regulation, and intellectual property.

Private wealth: Cadwalader is a leading authority on international and domestic private wealth matters, with a long history of advising US and multinational high net-worth individuals and families regarding tax efficient structures for their US and global holdings, with emphasis on governance, the minimization of taxation, the management of holdings, and their transfer to family members, entities, trusts and charities.

Real estate: Our premier real estate finance team represents financial institutions and investors in the origination of securitized and balance sheet mortgage and mezzanine loans, syndicated loans and construction loans secured by virtually all property types, including hotel, office, retail, healthcare, multi-family and industrial properties, ranging from single, trophy assets to multi-asset, multi-state and whole-company transactions, as well as the sale of mortgage and mezzanine loans in the secondary market, co-lender and intercreditor agreements, servicing and loan workouts, and restructurings.

Tax: Cadwalader’s tax practice is notable for its sophistication and expertise in complex, tax-advantaged transaction structures that have been employed in the most complex public and private mergers and acquisitions, spin-offs, Reverse Morris Trusts (RMTs), divestitures, joint ventures, restructurings and foreign tax planning strategies. It is a leader in structuring sophisticated securitization vehicles and have had a primary role in virtually every type of mortgage-backed and asset-backed securitization in the market.

White-collar defense and investigations: The team has extensive experience in white-collar defense and investigations, cybersecurity and data protection, FCPA enforcement, pharmaceutical regulation, securities enforcement, and the full spectrum of related compliance issues.

Department Name Email Telephone
Capital Markets Michael Gambro [email protected] +1 212 504 6825
Capital Markets Stuart Goldstein [email protected] +1 704 348 5258
Corporate William Mills [email protected] +1 212 504 6436
Corporate Richard Brand [email protected] +1 212 504 5757
Fund Finance Wesley Misson [email protected] +1 704 348 5355
Financial Restructuring Gregory Petrick [email protected] +1 212 504 6373
Financial Services James Frazier [email protected] +1 212 504 6963
Financial Services Ivan Loncar [email protected] +1 212 504 6339
Litigation Jason Halper [email protected] +1 212 504 6300
Litigation Nicholas Gravante [email protected] +1 212 504 6500
Private Wealth Dean Berry [email protected] +1 212 504 6944
Real Estate Bonnie Neuman [email protected] +1 212 504 5625
Tax Linda Swartz [email protected] +1 212 504 6062
White Collar Defense and Investigations Jodi Avergun [email protected] +1 202 862 2456
Photo Name Position Profile
Lawrence Brandman photo Mr Lawrence Brandman Larry has practiced for over 35 years with a focus on bankruptcy,…
Jon Brose photo Mr Jon Brose Jon P. Brose is a partner in Cadwalader’s Tax Group. Jon advises…
Andrew Carlon photo Mr Andrew Carlon Andrew Carlon is a partner in Cadwalader’s Tax Department. His practice focuses…
Holly Chamberlain photo Ms Holly Chamberlain Holly Chamberlain is head of Cadwalader’s Real Estate Finance practice and a…
Brian Foster photo Mr Brian Foster Brian Foster is a partner in Cadwalader’s Finance Practice and a member…
Stephen Fraidin photo Mr Stephen Fraidin Stephen Fraidin is a partner in Cadwalader’s Corporate Group. Stephen is one…
James Frazier photo Mr James Frazier Jamie Frazier, co-chair of the Financial Services Group, focuses his practice in…
Mike Gambro photo Mr Mike Gambro Michael Gambro is co-chair of Cadwalader’s Capital Markets Group. Michael concentrates his…
Nicholas Gravante photo Mr Nicholas Gravante Nick Gravante is the co-chair of Cadwalader’s Global Litigation Group and head…
Mark Howe photo Mr Mark Howe Mark Howe is a partner in Cadwalader’s Tax Group.  Mark’s practice is…
Philip Iovieno photo Mr Philip Iovieno Phil Iovieno is the Co-Chair of Cadwalader’s Antitrust Litigation Group, with a…
Philip Khinda photo Mr Philip Khinda Philip Khinda is a partner in Cadwalader’s Global Litigation – White Collar…
Ivan Loncar photo Mr Ivan Loncar Ivan Loncar, co-chair of the Financial Services Group, focuses his practice on…
Peter Malyshev photo Mr Peter Malyshev Peter Y. Malyshev is a partner in the Financial Services Group. His…
Jed Miller photo Mr Jed Miller Jed Miller is a partner Cadwalader’s Financial Services Group.  With over 15…
William Mills photo Mr William Mills William Mills is co-chair of Cadwalader’s Corporate Group and a member of…
Andrew O’Brien photo Mr Andrew O’Brien Andrew J. O’Brien is a partner in Cadwalader’s Corporate group.  Andrew focuses…
Gregory Patti photo Mr Gregory Patti Greg Patti is a partner in Cadwalader’s Corporate group.  Greg represents clients…
Lisa Pauquette photo Ms Lisa Pauquette Lisa Pauquette is a partner in Cadwalader’s Capital Markets Group.  Lisa’s practice…
Daniel Raglan photo Mr Daniel Raglan Daniel Raglan is a partner in the Corporate Group at Cadwalader, Wickersham…
Nick Ramphal photo Mr Nick Ramphal Nick Ramphal is a partner in Cadwalader’s Corporate Group.  Nick’s practice focuses…
Jeffrey Rotblat photo Mr Jeffrey Rotblat Jeffrey Rotblat is a partner in Cadwalader’s Capital Markets group.  Jeffrey practices…
Casey Servais photo Mr Casey Servais Casey Servais is a partner in Cadwalader’s Financial Restructuring Group. He has represented creditors…
Lary Stromfeld photo Mr Lary Stromfeld Lary Stromfeld is a partner in Cadwalader’s Financial Services Group. With over…
Linda Swartz photo Ms Linda Swartz As the longtime chair of Cadwalader’s Tax Group and the International Tax Review 2024…
William Walsh photo Mr William Walsh William Walsh is an associate in Cadwalader’s Tax Group.
Neil Weidner photo Mr Neil Weidner Neil Weidner is a partner in Cadwalader’s Capital Markets Group.  Neil’s practice…
Number of Partners : 113
Number of Other Lawyers : 345
Managing Partner : Patrick Quinn
Other Offices : Charlotte, Washington, D.C. and London