DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Blank Rome LLP

Banking & Finance

7 ranked lawyers

Band 1

Pennsylvania

USA 2022 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Blank Rome LLP is a preeminent banking and finance practice that represents leading banks and lenders from across the region and country. Particularly well versed in complex financings in the mid- and upper mid-market, and excels in asset-based finance, leveraged lease transactions and securitizations. A go-to practice for equipment financing and also highly regarded for its capabilities in bankruptcy and restructuring matters. Has a strong international outlook, representing clients in the technological, construction, healthcare and energy sectors.

Strengths

"It has a deep bench of lawyers who are knowledgeable about the market."

Notable practitioners

Bruce Lesser offers significant experience handling sophisticated banking transactions. He works with clients such as lenders and borrowers.
"He knows the law inside-out."

Harvey Forman offers notable experience representing lenders in various financing transactions.
"He is terrific, a consummate business lawyer and one of the deans of the Philadelphia banking Bar."

Heather Sonnenberg is noted for her skills in handling a range of banking and finance matters.

Kevin Baum is cochair of the firm's finance, restructuring and bankruptcy group. He maintains a broad practice encompassing financings and restructurings for a variety of institutional investors.

Lawrence Flick heads the firm's financial services industry group. He draws praise for his sophisticated work in complex financing transactions on behalf of leading banks.
"He is a rock star in the ABL field and is an incredibly skilled lawyer." "Lawrence Flick is a business adviser who provides effective strategy."

Mark Rabinowitz maintains a broad finance practice involving restructurings and workouts in addition to complex transactions on behalf of banks.
"He is pragmatic and a good listener. He really looks out for commercial reasons and the market issues. He is constructive and communicates well to clients."

Michael Graziano offers expertise acting for institutional lenders in a wide array of financing matters. He is noted for his experience in acting in syndicated financings and for his expertise on asset-based lending.
"He is commercial, as well as flexible and constructive."

Department Information

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Overview

We are the preferred destination for most of the prolific banks and lenders, and we structure, negotiate, and document financings including asset-based finance, leveraged cash-flow loans, unitranche facilities, second-lien and mezzanine loans, equipment finance, leveraged lease transactions, securitizations, and structured finance.

We frequently represent secured creditors and debtor-in-possession lenders in Chapter 11 cases, and have a strong name in ship financings, healthcare and technology finance. We are primary finance counsel for several private equity firms for their acquisition financings.

Internationally, we handle transactions in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, among others.

Our “sweet spot” (and most of our work) is the middle- and upper-middle market, in the $50 million to $500 million range. Our key clients support lending to companies in this market.

Several of our attorneys are trained in finance and in bankruptcy/restructuring—distinguishing us from competitors. We frequently represent long-standing clients, including first- and second-lien secured creditors and debtor-in-possession lenders in Chapter 11 cases.

In our consumer finance work, we often analyze regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and other agencies, and advise consumer mortgage lenders and servicers in regard to regulatory issues.

Our Pennsylvania-based banking and finance lawyers are concentrated in Philadelphia, with further capability in Pittsburgh.