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Winston Taylor

Winston Taylor

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United States • Finance

2

Structured finance: securitization

With a focus on representing sponsors and issuers, the securitization practice at Winston Taylor is regarded for its work across RMBS, ABS and CLO transactions. The team is praised for its 'diligent attention to detail and creative thinking,' and is particularly strong in residential transition loans, closed‑end second‑lien products and mortgage‑servicing‑rights matters. Chris Gavin leads the residential asset finance and securitization offering, frequently advising underwriters and investors on REMIC structures, MSR transactions and RMBS‑related work. Heading the esoteric finance group, Pete Morgan brings expertise in residential and commercial PACE transactions, as well as lease‑back securitizations. In Chicago, Michael Mullins focuses on CLO transactions, with Russell Casper also active in this space. The practice has expanded with the arrival of Aaron Benjamin in Charlotte in July 2025 from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, adding further depth in RMBS, CMBS and CLOs, and New York-based Reuben Levavi, who joined from financial tech startup Theorem LP in January 2025. Michael Lyon regularly advises on RMBS matters. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York unless otherwise noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team's knowledge is unmatched in their ability to identify potential future issues and suggest different outcomes to better serve our needs as clients. The team is available day or night for questions and is prepared with specific solutions.' 

  • ‘The individuals we work with are fully dedicated to meeting our needs and make us feel prioritized each step of the way.'

  • ‘Winston & Strawn's Structured Finance team's deep industry expertise along with their diligent attention to detail and creative thinking have made them one of our top choices for legal advice and documentation for lender finance transactions.’

  • ‘Pete Morgan and his team have been exceptional.'

Key clients

  • Center Street Lending Corporation
  • Rain City Capital, LLC
  • Ascent Developer Solutions LLC
  • Barclays Bank PLC
  • Colchis Capital Management, L.P.
  • EverBank N.A.
  • Kiavi Funding, Inc.
  • PennyMac Loan Services, LLC
  • Performance Trust Capital Partners, LLC
  • TempleView Capital Funding, LP
  • Enel Generación Chile S.A.
  • OWN Equipment Fund I and II LLC

Work highlights

Represented Kiavi Funding, Inc., as sponsor, in connection with a series of four REMIC structured and rated 144A/Reg S RTL securitizations, totalling a combined value of over $1.4 billion.
Represented Center Street Lending Corporation, as sponsor, in connection with their first ever 144A/Regulation S private placement securitization.
Represented OWN Equipment Fund I LLC, a special-purpose vehicle, in connection with a $797 million leaseback securitization of construction equipment from Equipmentshare.
Practice head

Chris Gavin; Pete Morgan

Other key lawyers

Michael Mullins; Russell Casper; Aaron Benjamin; Reuben Levavi; Michael Lyon