The group at Mayer Brown is equipped to handle the full spectrum of regulatory, transactional and litigation matters, and is regularly engaged in structured products issuances, tax reviews and equity derivatives work, with a client base that primarily comprises global banks. Leading the offering from New York, Anna Pinedo advises major financial institutions on structuring and regulatory issues, as well as equity, credit and other structured derivatives transactions. Lauded as an ‘outstanding lawyer in the field of structured notes,’ Pinedo is adept at cross‑border mandates, with a diverse practice spanning market‑linked CD programs, US tax reviews and commodity‑linked notes. Marla Matusic is skilled in structured notes issuances, advising on bespoke strategies for institutional and sophisticated investors, and is also knowledgeable in ISDA and credit derivatives matters. Pamela Sackmann focuses on credit risk transfer transactions, credit default swaps, total return swaps and a range of derivatives products. Jakarri Hamlin, who joined from Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in April 2025, brings expertise in ISDA documentation, prime brokerage arrangements, repurchase agreements and other trading documentation. Other noteworthy individuals include Marc Leong, who supports clients on structured notes and debt securities matters. All individuals mentioned are based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Ana Pinedo is an outstanding lawyer in the field of structured notes. She has been of great help.'
Key clients
- Goldman Sachs
- Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC)
- National Bank of Canada (NBC)
- Credit Agricole CIB
- Société Générale
- Toronto Dominion
- Bank of Montreal/BMO Capital Markets
- UBS Securities
- Nomura
- BNP Paribas
- Axio/iCapital
- Santander
- Halo Investing
- Mizuho
- BBVA
- ING Group
- Ally Bank
- Huntington Bank
- U.S. Bank
- Goldman Sachs
Work highlights
Advising iCapital on highlighting a new product, the m+Funds, which is a structured UIT that mimics in its returns a derivatives-based ETF or an SMA of structured notes accomplished by providing investors with the opportunity to invest in trust certificates of a registered fund that holds a diversified pool of structured notes—issued by different issuers, providing different credit exposures, all subject to 40 Act regulation.
Program counsel for both of Goldman Sachs’ 144A structured notes issuance programs, which include both their US onshore issuer and their UK-based offshore issuer. These programs focus on complex structures for institutional clients.
Representing Nevada in its litigation with several prediction markets regarding online event contracts, an area of growing interest and controversy. The state alleges that the contracts offered to retail users are sports betting subject to state regulation. The prediction markets allege that state regulation is preempted by the fact that the contracts are swaps subject to exclusive federal regulation under the Commodity Exchange Act.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Anna Pinedo
Other key lawyers
Marla Matusic; Pamela Sackmann; Jakarri Hamlin; Marc Leong