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Willkie represents some of the world’s largest companies and financial institutions in asset-backed commercial paper conduit programs, asset-backed securitizations, commercial mortgage securitizations and over-the-counter derivatives.

We represent issuers, underwriters and institutional investors in public, Rule 144A and negotiated private placement securitizations in the United States and abroad. We have experience in virtually every structure and related issue including REMICs, grantor trusts, owner trusts, debt-for-tax, use of swaps and other hedges, synthetic transactions, true sale, and non-consolidation treatment and accounting treatment of transactions.  We represent issuers, purchasers and institutional investors in connection with the workout of distressed securitization transactions. We also counsel clients in developing and reviewing over-the-counter derivative instruments, credit default swaps, total rate of return swaps as well as interest rate, equity and currency swaps and other hybrid instruments. 

Commercial Paper Conduits

We represent sponsors in the creation and operation of domestic and foreign asset-backed commercial paper (ABCP) conduit programs and ABCP programs in connection with the acquisition of assets. We have experience in structuring multi-seller conduits, multi-currency conduits (domestic and offshore), secured liquidity notes and conduits for Fin. 46 compliance. We also regularly represent borrowers that acquire funding from ABCP programs.

Asset-Backed Securities

We represent issuers, underwriters and institutional investors in over $20 billion of asset-backed securities transactions across every major asset class and many unique asset classes. Our attorneys have significant experience assisting clients with innovative transactions and emerging asset classes and have structured and documented many unique transactions including ones related to music royalties and other intellectual property, taxi medallion loans, telecommunications equipment receivables, life insurance policies, tobacco settlements, CLO, CBO and CDOs, and other assets.

Commercial Mortgage Securities

We have represented borrowers, issuers, underwriters and subordinated debt investors in over $29 billion of commercial mortgage securitizations in the United States and Canada. We served as issuer’s counsel in the $3 billion groundbreaking First Union-Lehman Brothers-Bank of America commercial mortgage securitization. We helped establish the first Canadian commercial mortgage conduit, represented the issuer in the first Canadian commercial mortgage securitization and regularly serve as special U.S. counsel to Canadian commercial mortgage securitizations. In conjunction with our Real Estate Department, we represent issuers, borrowers and subordinated investors in large loan securitizations.

  • U.S. Conduit Programs
  • Canadian Conduit Programs
  • Single Property Transactions
  • Single Borrower Transactions

Securitization Workouts

In conjunction with our Business Reorganization & Restructuring Department, we have represented issuers, purchasers and institutional investors in the workout of distressed securitization transactions including distressed CDOs, a multi-billion dollar consumer finance company, a rental car master trust, leveraged aircraft lease financings and franchise loans.

OTC Derivatives

We have represented hedge funds, operating companies and other institutional investors in the negotiation of over-the-counter derivative instruments, total rate of return swaps as well as interest rate, equity and currency swaps and other hybrid instruments. We have also advised clients that are protection sellers or buyers in credit default swaps with respect to their rights and obligations under such contracts and the ISDA Determination Committee Rules.

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