Montclair, New Jersey, United States
Handling consumer finance regulatory and enforcement matters for New York’s banking and financial services regulator. Prior law firm practice focused on international transport finance, especially in shipping & maritime, as well as private credit.
Advising the Consumer Protection and Financial Enforcement Division and the Research and Innovation Division: - Draft, research and review proposed legislation, regulations and administrative rulemaking documents in connection with current issues in consumer finance, payments and fintech. - Assist Civil Investigations Unit on enforcements concerning financial frauds and other violations, and on issues presented including civil money penalties, interagency relations, subpoenas, etc. - Advise internal stakeholders on legal and market risks of proposed courses of action and recommend alternatives where appropriate. - Negotiate with industry, consumer advocates, NY Legislature, and other state and federal agencies. Regulatory drafting & policy work received specific and high praise from a ranking US Senator.
Led cross-border syndicated secured asset financings as counsel to US and international financial institutions, private equity funds and publicly traded shipping and offshore support companies. Negotiated, documented and closed market-leading transactions up to $1bn, several of which received “Deal of the Year” awards. Deals structured as credit agreements, corporate bonds and securitizations. As a part of NRF’s globally renowned transport finance practice, I focused on the maritime and offshore sectors, with some cross-selling in aviation, rail and containers. Acted as lead New York/US counsel and also as correspondent Marshall Islands, Liberian and Vanuatu counsel, with fluency in both LSTA (New York) and LMA (English) forms of loan documentation. Ranked in The Legal 500 as a rising star and recommended lawyer in Transport: Shipping Finance for 2020-2023. Led successful affirmative asylum application for Jamaican HIV+ LGBTQ pro bono client. Extensively analyzed and documented evidence of homophobic persecution and assault in submissions to USCIS. Nominated for pro bono award as a result of these and other efforts.
Counsel to private equity sponsors, nonbank lenders and portfolio companies on a variety of private credit/direct lending debt finance transactions (e.g., secured and unsecured, senior and mezzanine, syndicated and bilateral, credit agreements and note purchase agreements, with PIK interest toggle and convertible features among others) in connection with mid-market acquisitions.
Was thrilled to intern here as a law student in the exciting period following US-based Fulbright & Jaworski’s combination with London-based Norton Rose, creating the third-biggest law firm in the world at that time by headcount.
Led investigation of a global charity underdelivering on Superstorm Sandy aid, resulting in reliance losses to victims. Drafted and filed a report that clinched the charity’s $6m agreement with the NY Attorney General to allocate additional funds. Met with and distributed the report to Hill staffers, prompting bipartisan advocacy by members of the NYC Congressional Delegation. Yes indeed, it was a wild ride of a summer internship