Often engaged in RMBS work, Clifford Chance’s diverse global financial markets team advises across RMBS, CMBS and CLO transactions. Co‑leading the team from New York, Lee Askenazi brings broad experience in RMBS, lines of credit mortgage‑backed securities and REMIC securitizations, while fellow co‑head Robert Villani focuses on CLOs. Jim Cotins concentrates on CRE CLOs and single‑borrower securitizations, and James Gouwar advises on the tax aspects of structured finance. Alistair Dunlop handles residential mortgages, consumer loans and receivables, including credit‑risk transfer matters. In Washington DC, Robert Hagan is active in residential mortgage‑backed loans. Matt Lyons focuses on commercial real estate CLOs, while Rebecca O’Brien and Gareth Old advise on structured debt and private credit transactions. Peter Manno and Washington DC-based Leah Willmore are active in RMBS and credit‑risk transfer securitizations. Joanna Nicholas joined the team from Mayer Brown in March 2025, bringing expertise in CLOs. All individuals mentioned are in New York, unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Key clients
- Bayview Asset Management, LLC (Oceanview and Lakeview)
- Chimera Investment Corporation
- TPG Angelo Gordon
- PR Mortgage Investment, LLC
- Schroders plc
- American International Group, Inc (AIG)
- Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC
- Citadel Servicing Corporation (ACRA Lending)
- Nuveen Asset Management
- RREEF America LLC/DWS Asset Management
- NYL Investors LLC
- Generate Advisors, LLC
- Symphony Alternative Asset Management LLC
- Waterfall Asset Management (Ready Capital and Sutherland)
- FirstKey Mortgage (Cerberus)
- Global Net Lease, Inc.
- Blue Owl Capital Inc.
- CCS Partners
- Guild Mortgage Company LLC
- Deutsche Bank
Work highlights
Advised TPG Angelo Gordon as co-sponsor, retaining sponsor and asset manager on a number of transactions, including the issuance of US$301.329 million open-ended home equity lines of credit mortgage-backed notes by FIGRE Trust 2025-HE4.
Advised Chimera Investment Corporation, as sponsor, on a number of transactions, including the US$391.790 million residential mortgage-backed securitization by CIM Trust 2025-R11.
Advised Waterfall Asset Management, as asset manager, and Cascade Funding, LP – Series 12, as sponsor, in the CFMT 2024-NR1 transaction, which included the securitization of performing and re-performing mortgage loans, including E-Notes, FHA, VA and USDA Loans.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Robert Villani; Lee Askenazi
Other key lawyers
Jim Cotins; James Gouwar; Alistair Dunlop; Robert Hagan; Matt Lyons; Rebecca O'Brien; Gareth Old; Peter Manno; Leah Willmore; Joanna Nicholas