Ms Laura Swihart > Dechert LLP > New York, United States > Lawyer Profile

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.

With national coverage, Dechert LLP is highly reputed for its expertise in origination of commercial real estate loans including mortgage and mezzanine loans, purchase and sale of participations and B-pieces seeking leverage through repo and other technologies, including CRE CLOs and other securitization solutions. The firm routinely acts for issuers, underwriters and asset sellers in CMBS and standalone securitizations of loans, often advising banks as lender’s counsel. Co-chair of the global practice, David Forti in Philadelphia works alongside New York’s Laura Swihart on complex commercial mortgage-backed securitization transactions, work-outs and foreclosures. Also in New York, Richard Jones is recommended for capital markets and mortgage finance, and Laura Ciabarra for on construction and transitional lending. Stewart McQueen in Charlotte heads the commercial mortgage-backed securities practice. In Philadelphia, Kenneth Hackman is noted for origination and securitization of single-family rental (SFR) loans, repurchase facilities and warehouse facilities. Nitya Kumar Goyal and counsel Victoria Boland are likewise noted for credit tenant lease financing, and mezzanine financings and subordinate debt.

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.