Commended for its ‘level of dedication to client service and attention to detail,’ McDermott Will & Schulte is well‑positioned to advise on the full range of CLO transactions, representing a client base that includes leading investment and asset‑management firms. Craig Stein, who co‑leads the group, brings extensive experience across syndicated CLOs, arbitrage cash‑flow CLOs and warehouse financing facilities. Fellow co‑head Boris Ziser is regarded for his work on forward‑flow arrangements and warehouse credit facilities, and offers additional expertise in alternative‑asset structures. Stephen Schauder advises on complex financings and cross‑border transactions, while Phillip Azzollini focuses on refinancings and warehouse facilities. Daniel Oshinsky is experienced in private‑credit CLOs and asset‑based credit facilities. Other key individuals include Vera Quagliato, who supports the team across a broad range of transactions. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team at MWS who represents my firm on CLO transactions is second to none. Their standout quality is the level of dedication to client service and their attention to detail.’
‘Phil Azzollini is the most conscientious attorney in the CLO business. He has an elephant's memory of our platform and transactions, and is always thinking a couple steps ahead in terms of risks.'
Key clients
- Allstate Investment Management Company
- Aristotle Pacific Capital
- AS Birch Grove
- Blackstone, Inc.
- Brightwood Capital Advisors
- Cerberus Capital Management
- Fortress Investment Group
- GoldenTree Loan Management
- Gramercy Funds Management
- Marathon Asset Management
- Mizuho Securities
- MUFG Securities Americas
Work highlights
Represented Cerberus Business Finance, LLC, an affiliate of Cerberus, as the servicer, and a fund managed by an affiliate of Cerberus, as transferor and retention holder, in the structuring and negotiation of a series of new-issue CLO transactions, secured primarily by US middle-market commercial loans.
Represented various affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC, as sponsor, collateral manager, equity investor and retention holder, in connection with multiple broadly syndicated loan CLOs, middle market/private credit CLOs and collateralized bond obligation (CBO) transactions during the past year.
Represented AS Birch Grove LP, as the portfolio manager, on a number of broadly syndicated CLOs during the past year.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Craig Stein; Boris Ziser
Other key lawyers
Stephen Schauder; Phillip Azzollini; Daniel Oshinsky; Vera Quagliato