Finance

Having been involved in many of the largest and most complex financing transactions completed internationally, Shearman & Sterling's Finance Group is acknowledged as a world leader.  Our practice includes experienced financing lawyers in New York, San Francisco, London, Paris and Frankfurt who can execute transactions under English, French, German and US law. 

Our worldwide presence facilitates even the largest and most complex financings in both international bank financing and capital markets.  Such transactions often involve multiple facilities, currencies and jurisdictions, the contemporaneous issuance of publicly offered or privately placed senior or subordinated debt and the refinancing of existing debt.

Additionally, we are noted for our skill in structuring a wide variety of acquisition financings of public and private companies, including tender offer financings, merger financings, leveraged recapitalization financings and stock and asset purchase financings.  We also have a significant practice in investment grade financing.

Leveraged Lending 

We represent commercial banks, investment banks and borrowers in the leveraged syndicated lending market.  Our lawyers have excellent structuring, financing and deal management skills, as well as significant international experience.  In particular, our lawyers are well known for innovative and creative approaches to complex financing transactions.

In order to deliver "one stop" service to clients who require complex financings, such as those that consist of senior bank, bridge and high yield financings, the Leveraged Finance team frequently works with our Capital Markets lawyers, particularly those focused on the high yield area.

Our practice in the leveraged lending area consists primarily of representing senior institutional lenders and borrowers in the following types of transactions:

• Leveraged buyouts
• First and second lien loan structures
• Leveraged recapitalization financings
• Complex debt restructurings
• Senior and subordinated bridge financings
• Asset-based loan financings
• Mezzanine financings
• Secured lending

Investment Grade Financing

We represent lead lenders and borrowers in the investment grade syndicated lending marketplace.  We have extensive experience in structuring and documenting (both domestically and internationally) commercial paper backstop facilities, working capital and term loan credit agreements, and syndicated letter of credit facilities.  With regard to investment grade financing, our experience includes:

• "Jumbo" acquisition financings
• Complex debt restructurings
• Investment grade loans
• Senior bridge financings
• Asset sale bridge financings