Steven M. Ellis is the former Chair of Proskauer. He is a partner in Proskauer’s market-leading Private Credit Practice, a practice that Steve proudly founded and led to its dominant position in the market today, serving as head of that practice for over 15 years. During his tenure as Chair of Proskauer, the Firm achieved record financial results and dramatically expanded its transactional platform and private capital offering. With a client roster boasting over 75 asset managers, he has represented an array of secured lenders, second lien lenders, debt funds and private equity funds in all types of transactions from recapitalizations to acquisitions. He specializes in private credit financing transactions, including innovative, first-in-kind structures. Steve serves as an active board member for Team IMPACT, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of kids battling diseases. A network of volunteers, coaches and players, Team IMPACT matches children facing serious or chronic illnesses with college athletic teams to form relationships that have life-changing outcomes.
North America - United States • Finance
Proskauer Rose LLP
With a firm foothold in the private credit sector, Proskauer Rose LLP boasts an impressive roster of lender clients, including The Carlyle Group, Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley. The team fields expertise in a range of credit financings, including senior-stretch, unitranche, second-lien and secured mezzanine loans. Justin Breen is a prominent figure in the private credit lending space and leads the firm’s global finance group. Gary Creem heads the firm’s private credit practice from Boston, alongside Michael Mezzacappa, who plays a lead role in financing and credit arrangement deals. Stephen Boyko focuses his practice on finance transactions, including leveraged buyouts and acquisition financings. Marc Freiss advises a diverse list of hedge funds, private equity funds, commercial finance companies and investment banks. In Los Angeles, Sandra Lee Montgomery represents first- and second-lien senior lenders, mezzanine investors and equity sponsors in financing and restructuring transactions. Former firm chair Steven Ellis is an experienced figure, based between New York and Boston. All attorneys mentioned are based in New York, unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Exceptional law practice, significant depth, partnership approach, subject matter expertise.'
- 'Gary Creem in particular is exceptional.'
Key clients
- Antares Capital
- Apollo Global Management
- Ares Capital Corporation
- Bain Capital
- Benefit Street Partners
- Blue Owl Capital/Owl Rock Capital Partners
- Blue Torch Capital
- The Carlyle Group
- The Firmament Group
- Fortress Credit Co LLC
- Goldman Sachs
- Golub Capital
- HarbourVest Partners
- HPS Investment Partners
- Jefferies
- MGG Investment Group
- Midcap Financial Trust
- Morgan Stanley
- Neuberger Berman
- Sixth Street Partners
- TCW Asset Management Company
Lawyers
Leading lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gary J. Creem, Michael M. Mezzacappa