Primarily working within fintech and financial services, the broad securitization offering at Dechert straddles CMBS, ABS, CLO and ESG securitizations, with a client roster that includes Citigroup Global Markets, Wells Fargo Securities, and JPMorgan Chase Bank. The global finance group is led by a capable quartet: New York‑based Andrew Pontano and Matthew Fischer, alongside Christopher Duerden and Stewart McQueen, who operate out of Charlotte. Pontano is skilled at handling consumer loan transactions and auto-loan transactions, while Fischer specializes in real estate securitization matters. Duerden is highly experienced in CLOs and structured credit, and McQueen focuses on CMBS securitizations. In New York, Laura Swihart represents loan sellers in mortgage loan matters and multifamily CMBS securitizations. Splitting his time between New York and Philadelphia, Ralph Mazzeo is well-placed to handle RMBS transactions, together with Philadelphia-based Linda Bartosch. Also in New York, other notable practitioners include William Luciani, noted for his work in auto-loan securitization and RMBS matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Lawyer & team quality
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Key clients
- Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”)
- Pagaya Structured Products LLC - PAID transactions
- Global Lending Services LLC
- Citigroup Global Markets Inc.; Citibank NA
- Golub Capital Partners
- Wells Fargo Securities, LLC
- Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
- Citi Real Estate Funding Inc.
- JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.
- Pretium Partners
- Bank of America Merrill Lynch
- ACRE
Work highlights
Represented Golub Partners in its CLO 65(M)-R, where Morgan Stanley & Co. acted as underwriter. The CLO issued US$2.319 billion in notes, making it the largest CLO transaction ever in the history of the CLO market, according to Creditflux data.
Represented Freddie Mac in many securitizations totalling approximately US$645 billion since 2009, including advising on approximately 57 deals in 2024 with the cumulative issuance of more than US$32 billion.
Represented Pagaya since 2018 including advising on the following transactions over the past 12 months: Twelve unsecured consumer loan transactions, three forward flow transactions, a new asset-backed securitization program for point-of-sale (POS) loans, as well as four auto loan transactions (the RPM platform) and two related lending facilities.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Andrew Pontano; Christopher Duerden; Stewart McQueen; Matthew Fischer
Other key lawyers
Laura Swihart; Ralph Mazzeo; Linda Bartosch; William Luciani