Global law firm Shearman & Sterling has bolstered its structured finance practice with the addition of Charles Thompson, who joins the firm as counsel in the New York office. Mr. Thompson comes to the firm from Cleary Gottlieb and previously worked as primary coverage lawyer for the structured products group at Morgan Stanley.

Mr. Thompson focuses his practice on corporate and financial matters, with a particular emphasis on structured finance and capital markets derivatives products. He has experience representing a broad range of industry participants, including issuers, lenders, underwriters, bond insurers, investors and derivative counterparties in connection with cash and synthetic CLOs, structured note programs, securitizations and credit-linked securities. He also regularly advises clients on regulatory and compliance issues relating to Dodd-Frank, particularly with respect to the derivatives legislation contained in Title VII. In addition, Mr. Thompson has published on various aspects of derivatives regulation and municipal finance.

“Chuck has a great background in the banking and legal industries, and we’re delighted that he has joined our firm,” said Bjorn Bjerke, a Shearman & Sterling partner and one of the leaders of the firm’s Structured Finance Group. “He has an outstanding reputation as a leading lawyer in structured finance and derivatives, and he is highly regarded by his clients for his ability to anticipate and meet their needs.”

Shearman & Sterling’s Structured Finance Group, with lawyers in New York, Washington, DC, London and Frankfurt, assists clients in developing, structuring and executing a broad range of complex financings involving securitization, structured products and other sophisticated financing techniques. The group has in-depth experience in all aspects of the public and private distribution of structured finance securities. Highly regarded by major corporations and financial institutions, Shearman & Sterling represents the entire range of global market participants, including issuers, underwriters, investors, trustees, servicers, credit enhancement providers, lenders, rating agencies and conduits.