North America - United States • Finance

Katten

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Katten advises clients on traditional and non-traditional securitizations transactions, including mortgage loan facilities, warehouse facilities and auto loans. The firm is strong in regulatory matters, supporting captive finance companies, independents and banks. Anna-Liza Harris, who heads the practice out of Washington DC, concentrates on tax matters surrounding a swathe of securitizations, including ABS, RMBS and multi-family mortgage-backed securitizations at a domestic and international level. Fellow practice head Howard Schickler sits in New York and is expert in numerous types of asset-backed transactions, from mortgages, credit card receivables and small business loans to auto loans, equipment leases, medical receivables and royalties. Strengthening the New York practice, Chris DiAngelo advises banks, government entities and financial institutions on novel transactions across industries. In June 2023, Claudine Chen-Young left the firm, whilst in August 2023, Dallas-based Emmanuel Mevs was made partner.

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Key clients

  • Aspen Capital
  • Great Ajax
  • Driveway Finance
  • Fannie Mae
  • Fat Brands
  • Ford
  • GM
  • Marathon Asset Management
  • Westlake

Work highlights

  • Serving as issuer counsel to Fannie Mae on its benchmark credit risk transfer program, Connecticut Avenue Securities.
  • Representing Aspen Capital and its affiliated public REIT, Great Ajax, in the securitization of re-performing and non-performing mortgage loans as well as multiple repurchase facilities and servicing advance facilities with various banks and broker-dealers.
  • Represent Marathon’s mortgage real estate group in origination, warehousing and securitization of mortgage loans as well as providing advice in joint ventures and preferred equity investments in real estate-related matters.

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.

Chris DiAngelo

Chris DiAngelo

Hall of fameKatten

Chris DiAngelo offers clients a comprehensive understanding of wholesale finance, the critical process through which banks and finance companies fund their lending activities. His intimate knowledge of the industry's business, legal and policymaking arenas have allowed him to execute some of its most innovative deals. For large banks, finance companies and government entities, Chris offers decades of experience in structured finance and securitizations, particularly in the area of mortgage financing. From banks to finance companies to government entities, institutions have turned to Chris to solve complex funding puzzles and manage the risk of holding financial assets. Chris's depth of knowledge and experience enable him to quickly assess a client's financing goals and advise on the best options. Clients also benefit from his deep contacts throughout the industry and in the government. He acts as a lead counsel to the Structured Finance Association, chairman of its political action committee and co-chair of its legal counsel committee. He also serves as outside counsel to a Washington, DC, lobbying firm focused on the financial services industry. The legal and industry knowledge that Chris brings to the table has allowed him to complete landmark financing deals. For an agency lender, he assisted with a $922 million credit risk transfer transaction that marked an evolution in financing techniques. The first credit risk transfer transaction using the structure of a real estate mortgage investment conduit, it opened the US residential mortgage credit market to an increased number of sources of private capital. Chris's policy knowledge includes a detailed familiarity with the impact of the Dodd-Frank Act on structured finance. He is also deeply informed about housing and mortgage policy reform and its impact on Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Before entering private practice, he served on the staff of the New York State Housing Finance Agency.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Anna-Liza Harris, Howard Schickler

Other key lawyers

Chris DiAngelo, Emmanuel Mevs