
- Profile
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Experience is unrivaled in the rail industry’
‘Work ethic and technical experience’
‘The team at Vedder Price has extensive experience in all aspects of rail finance work. They have worked on virtually every rail-related ABS or bank financing deal in the past decade-plus and are at the forefront of developments in this area. ’
‘I have worked extensively with Jack Bycraft, Clay Thomas, and Jillian Musa for several years. They are, without exception, responsive, thorough, and thoughtful. They strike the right balance between zealous advocacy of a client's position and flexibility to complete a transaction.’
Key clients
- Chicago Freight Car Leasing Co.
- Atlas SP
- Export Development Canada
- Greenbrier
- ITE Management
- J.P. Morgan Asset Management
- National Steel Car Limited
- PNW Railcars, Inc.
- Stonebriar Commercial Finance
- Trinity Industries, Inc.
Work highlights
- Represented ITE Management in connection with its acquisition of SMBC Rail Services LLC and related financing arrangements, a transaction involving over 50,000 railcars and resulting in one of the largest railcar leasing platforms in North America.
- Represented Greenbrier in connection with the $179 million GBXL Series 2023 – 1 railcar asset-backed securitization, Greenbrier’s second ABS issuance.
- Represented Trinity Rail Leasing Warehouse Trust in an extension and renewal of its bankruptcy remote secured warehouse loan financing of a revolving portfolio of railcars and related leases.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Joel Thielen
Clay Thomas
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Geoffrey R. Kass
Other key lawyers
Michael E. Draz; Jeffrey T. Veber; Clay C. Thomas; Joel R. Thielen; Jack Bycraft; Jillian Musa