Robert A Willner

Practice Areas

Commercial Finance

Equipment Leasing

Leveraged ESOP Finance

Fund Finance

Alternative Lenders

Sports Industry Law

Non-Profit Organization Law

Career

Robert A. Willner is a Partner in the firm’s Commercial Finance Practice Group and Chair of the Leveraged ESOP Finance Practice Group. Robert provides practical, business oriented, legal advice to his clients on how to best structure, document, and manage their commercial lending transactions. Robert’s practice covers a broad spectrum of middle-market, senior and second lien lending, in both bilateral and agented or club deals, including:

asset-based lending

cash flow lending

leveraged ESOP finance

lender finance

fund finance (including capital call and subscription facilities, and NAV and hybrid loans)

unitranche finance

acquisition finance

dividend recaps

equipment leasing

floor finance

aircraft and ship finance

tech finance

healthcare finance

cross-border transactions (Mexico, Canada, Europe, Asia)

FCC license finance

debtor-in-possession financing

trade finance

factoring

problem loan workouts and restructurings, liquidations and foreclosures

Robert’s clients include commercial banks, alternative lenders, commercial finance companies, equipment leasing companies, factors, and other financial institutions.

He is recognized by Chambers USA as a leader in the field of Banking & Finance, and is a frequent lecturer on issues related to commercial finance. Robert was also named one of The Best Lawyers in America®, for Commercial Finance Law in 2025 and 2026.

Professional Memberships

Member, National Center for Employee Ownership (NCEO)

Member, Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Association

Past Chair, Commercial Law Committee of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association

Past Member of Board of Trustees, University Synagogue in Brentwood, California

Past Member of Board of Directors, Santa Monica Pier Restoration Corporation, a non-profit corporation charged with overseeing the operations of the landmark Santa Monica Pier.