Clifford Chance handles the full range of matters in the structured products space, with a particular focus on structured real estate transactions. Its transactional expertise includes advising on synthetic credit risk transfer transactions, repo-linked note issuance programs and insured, royalty-backed, fintech transactions. In addition, the firm is experienced in assisting clients with the establishment of ABCP programs. The global head of practice, Gareth Old, advises on complex structured products, capital relief transactions and derivatives with particular skill regarding regulatory issues. Lee Askenazi supports a broad range of clients, including sponsors, issuers investors, sellers and purchasers, in residential and commercial real estate financing transaction at the domestic and international level. In May 2023, Becky O’Brien was promoted to partner. All lawyers mentioned work in New York.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Clifford Chance is a broad practice of talented individuals who successfully handle unusual and novel challenges. They have people who are expert in very specific niches as well as generalists and are good at collaborating across teams.’
‘Darren Littlejohn is an excellent structured finance and derivatives lawyer with extensive experience, impressive efficiency, and an eye for figuring out the cleanest and most durable solution to a problem.'
- 'James Gouwar is a talented tax lawyer who asks precise questions and delivers tailored, comprehensive, advice.’
‘Great team and appropriate use of other partners with expertise and associates.’
‘Darren Littlejohn is an excellent combination of high-end legal expertise, experience and practical approach to solutions. Darren has been in-house counsel and external counsel which he uses to develop more nuanced and better solutions to the problems his clients are trying to solve, rather than just a strictly legal answer.’
Key clients
- Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC
- Angelo Gordon
- PIMCO
- Waterfall Asset Management
- Chimera Investment Corporation
- Bayview Asset Management
- Atalaya
- New York Life
Work highlights
- Advised Nuveen Alternatives Advisors LLC on the formation, fundraising and closing of Nuveen CPACE Lending Fund I.
- Advised Angelo Gordon & Co. L.P. on a US$200 million mortgage loan repurchase facility for investor and non-qualified residential mortgage loans with Bank of Montreal.
- Advised Waterfall Asset Management on a US$500 million multi-asset residential loan master repurchase facility for client for its Victoria Master Fund with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gareth Old, Lee Askenazi