Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s direct lending practice has a broad capacity in credit-related financial structures, with New York-based co-head Victor Okasmaa frequently sought after by hedge funds, credit providers and direct lenders. Fellow co-heads Andres Mena and Joshua Deason, also based in New York, are retained to advise on a number of first and second lien loans, mezzanine facilities, asset-based loans and other financial instruments. Najeh Baharun, operating from Los Angeles, is sought after by clients for his expertise in unitranche, bridge and various credit facilities. New York-based Daniel Durschlag handles domestic and cross-border credit facilities, while Sarah Kessler, based in Chicago, is a port of call for asset-based loans, NAV and credit facilities and refinancing. Melainie Mansfield is also a notable member of the Chicago office.
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Key clients
- BMO Sponsor Finance
- Blue Torch Capital
- Blue Owl Capital
- Invesco Senior Secured Management
- Magnetar Capital LLC
- Antares Capital
- Comvest Credit Partners
- Golub Capital
- HPS Investment Partners, LLC
Work highlights
Represented Comvest Credit Partners in connection with debt financing for Thoma Bravo’s majority investments in OPEXUS.
Represented BMO Sponsor Finance in its support of Abry Partners’s add-on acquisition by Better Protection of DFS Fire Systems and the refinancing of the platform’s senior facilities.
Represented BMO Sponsor Finance on the financing of TA Associates Management, LP’s strategic investment in Nous Infosystems Inc.
Practice head
Viktor Okasmaa; Andres Mena; Joshua Deason
Other key lawyers
Najeh Baharun; Daniel Durschlag; Sarah Kessler; Melainie Mansfield