The ‘knowledgeable and attentive’ team at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe is well placed to cover the full spectrum of ABS, CMBS, RMBS and CLO transactions within its securitization practice. The group is led by New York-based Leah Sanzari, who is particularly skilled at C-PACE securitizations and brings expertise in esoteric ABS. Janet Barbiere and William Cullen focus on CMBS matters, representing issuers and underwriters in these transactions. In Los Angeles, Martin Howard handles RMBS transactions, primarily advising banks, mortgage servicers and mortgage-focused investment firms. Bringing strength in consumer securitization, Chris Min is adept at handling ABS, recently being involved in high-profile credit card ABS matters. Orion Mountainspring maintains a broad ABS practice, with his caseload spanning esoteric financings, auto loans, solar loans, and fintech-related matters. Elizabeth Elias provides assistance on ABS transactions, including whole business and C-PACE securitizations. Recent additions to the structured finance team, all joining from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP in October 2025 as partners, include Doug Arborio, Joe Beach, Nate Spanheimer and Skyler Walker in Charlotte, as well as Gregg Jubin in Washington DC. All of the individuals mentioned are based in New York, unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team was knowledgeable and attentive.'
‘Chris Min and Robert Moyle were both knowledgeable and practical, able to balance risk with the need to be commercial.'
Key clients
- Centerline Logistics Corporation
- New Hampshire Business Finance Authority
- American Express
- Nuveen Green Capital (a.k.a. Greenworks Lending LLC)
- PACE Equity LLC
- Stonehill Capital Management
- Nissan Auto ABS Underwriters
- Ally Financial Auto ABS Underwriters
- Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC
- Upstart Network Inc.
- Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and Affiliates (“Citigroup”)
- Morgan Stanley & Co.
- Bank of Montreal
- Bank of America
- Invictus Capital Partners
- PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust
Work highlights
Advised Centerline Logistics, a Washington-based provider of marine transportation services, in its acquisition by a fund managed by Maritime Partners, a Louisiana-based privately held company leading the way in maritime assets, vessel leasing solutions, and construction financing.
Advising New Hampshire’s Business Finance Authority on a $100 million conduit bond, the nation’s first-ever municipal bond backed by Bitcoin, marking a historic milestone that opens the door for digital assets to enter the $140 trillion global debt market.
Serving as transaction counsel on all of American Express’s registered and unregistered securitization transactions and has served in that capacity for nearly 30 years.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Leah Sanzari
Other key lawyers
Janet Barbiere; William Cullen; Martin Howard; Chris Min; Robert Moyle; Orion Mountainspring; Elizabeth Elias; Doug Arborio; Joe Beach; Gregg Jubin; Nate Spanheimer; Skyler Walker