Jaisohn Im leads the debt finance offering at Akin, which advises companies, investors and PE sponsors on real estate financing, corporate lending, syndicated facilities, maturity extensions, upsizing amendments, fund finance and more. Dallas-based Alan Laves handles various credit arrangements, and Matthew Bivona acts for investors in fund financing and also advises corporates.

Emphasising the verticals of energy, technology and digital infrastructure, the outfit at Baker Botts L.L.P. handles financing deals, liability management transactions, workouts, refinancing, amendments and more. The team works under the leadership of Dallas-based Luke Weedon, who advises public companies and other borrowers on an array of financing arrangements. In New York, Jonathan Goldstein tackles aviation finance, structured finance vehicles, and deals for transport sector clients. Dallas-based Shad Sumrow focuses on oil and gas asset-based transactions, and Austin partner Clint Culpepper is a key contact for private equity sponsors and companies on deals in the fields of digital infrastructure and energy. ‘Superb attorney’ Alex Kamel assists borrowers with cross-border lending deals, high-yield debt offerings and structured financing in Houston.

The Houston-based energy-focused outfit at Bracewell LLP works under the direction of seasoned practitioner Dewey Gonsoulin, who handles credit facilities in the upstream energy sector, from reserve-based loans to mezzanine and development financing deals. Also leading the team is Heather Brown, whose broad skill set spans big-ticket cross-border financing arrangements, from syndicated and bilateral deals to dividend recapitalizations and restructurings. A variety of international energy clients, from those in upstream, midstream and downstream to renewable energy players, turn to the team, which includes Kate Day, who assists PE sponsors and companies with everything from first and second lien financing, leveraged and investment-grade financing to workout loans. In Houston, Andrew Bueso advises oil and gas clients on financing matters.

Handling numerous private equity acquisition finance transactions, navigating fund finance and assisting large-scale corporate borrowers, the ‘very responsible’ team at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton is familiar with negotiating the terms of debt financing arrangements involving banks, private credit providers and other alternative lenders. Highly experienced leveraged and high-yield bonds lawyer Meme Peponis co-heads the team alongside Duane McLaughlin, a key name in major M&A financing and syndicated lending. Other figures central to the operation include Amy Shapiro, who works with private equity firms and portfolio companies, handles management company financings, bridge loans and more. Matthew Mao advises portfolio companies and PE sponsors, as well as public and private companies, and Anna Kogan is a key name for fund finance. Victor Chiu comes recommended for various debt finance matters, including bridge loans, refinancings, and debtor-in-possession loans. Nicholas Pokas and Ani Sivaram are additional names to note.

The New York-based team at Clifford Chance assists real estate funds, PE sponsors, their portfolio companies and corporate borrowers hailing from myriad sectors with various debt financing arrangements, from PE acquisition and roll-up financing to repricings. Leveraged finance-focused Andrew Young heads the team, joined by Jason Ewart, whose experience spans unitranche deals, preferred equity and holding company PIK financings, private second lien financings and more. Thomas Critchley is a key name for leveraged, acquisition and infrastructure finance, and Daniel Winick‘s focuses include big-ticket acquisition financing. Steven Starr concentrates on subscription credit facilities.

The tech and life sciences-focused practice at Cooley LLP is led by Washington DC partner Michael Tollini, whose expertise includes syndicated lending, private credit, and structured and royalty-based financings. San Francisco-based Mischi a Marca is well-versed in structured finance, convertible debt and royalty monetisation, and Jason Savich advises on debt finance arrangements in the healthcare and technology sectors, also in San Francisco. In Santa Monica, Ellie Seber focuses on derivatives and other private and public debt offerings. June 2025 arrival from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Adam Longenbach assists private companies with leveraged finance deals in New York.

George Zobitz jointly heads the group alongside leveraged and investment-grade financing practitioner Tatiana Lapushchik and Stephen Kessing, who advises borrowers in a wide spectrum of industries, from aerospace and industrials to tech, media and healthcare. The New York-based practice handles general corporate credit facilities and acquisition financing for sponsors and companies, from syndicated loans to private credit deals. Matthew Kelly is sought out for assistance with high-value M&A financing, and Christopher Kelly's areas of experience include syndicated lending, from acquisition financing to restructuring and distressed financings. Sarah Rosen assists with a variety of financing transactions.

Based in New York, the team at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP counts major PE firms and large multinationals as clients, equipped to advise on the full spectrum of cross-border debt financing transactions, from structured finance to hybrid capital and lending in distressed contexts. Seasoned co-head James Florack advises household names across a variety of sectors on large-scale financing transactions, and J.W. Perry specializes in assisting sponsors through the entire LBO life cycle, handles exit financing, and helps companies negotiate myriad deal types, from syndicated to direct, unitranche to bridge and asset-based financings. Meyer Dworkin handles a vast selection of transactions for corporate borrowers across industries, including retail, technology, oil and gas and healthcare. Scott Herrig focuses on leveraged acquisition financing, debt restructurings and asset-based credit facilities, and Hilary Dengel is a key resource for sponsor clients in high-value acquisition financings. Nikolaus Caro advises family offices and private wealth funds as well as PE firms and companies, and Jack Orford handles an array of transactions, from LBOs to restructuring transactions and high-yield debt securities. Vanessa Jackson is also recommended.

Handling big-ticket acquisition financing, refinancing, corporate loans and more, the team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is trusted by some of the world’s top private equity firms and corporate borrowers to advise in complex leveraged debt financing scenarios, from mezzanine capital investments and second-lien transactions to high-yield arrangements. Scott Selinger specializes in syndicated bank loans and high-yield bond transactions, and Ryan Rafferty, a key contact for PE funds and their portfolio companies as well as corporate clients, as is Brett Novick, who assists with the group’s busy sponsor-focused offering. Ramya Tiller is engaged for high-value leveraged, fund finance and alternative capital transactions.

Focused on alternative finance, the New York-based team at Dechert is co-led by Jay Alicandri, who advises asset managers and other financial institutions on various debt finance arrangements, and Edward Newlands, a partner well-regarded for asset-based, rated and unrated structured financing. Angelina Liang navigates leveraged finance and fund finance transactions involving business development companies, and Lindsay Flora's practice encompasses high-yield financings, including bridging loans and syndicated debt facilities. Soo-ah Nah is a key contact for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies.

The Atlanta-bound practice at Eversheds Sutherland is highly focused on energy sector borrowers, adept at handling various transactions including asset-based lending, revolving credit facilities, securitizations and leveraged acquisition financing. Equipped to advise on an array of debt financing products, Christina Rissler leads the group, supported by Steve Park, a key contact for deals involving South Korean investors. Cindy Upchurch is well-versed in energy project financing and corporate lending and specialises in Rural Utilities Service regulatory and loan program requirements, and Peter Fozzard works closely with electric cooperatives.

At Freshfields, the ‘resourceful’ team works with private capital and corporate clients on deals including cross-border acquisition financing and carve-outs, workouts, fund financing and bridge loans. Team head Kyle Lakin assists well-known private and listed companies in various debt financing contexts. Final co-head Damian Ridealgh specialises in private credit and private equity transactions. Allison Liff departed the team in March 2026.

Best known for fund finance work, the New York-based team at Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP also advises well-known multinational corporates and private equity sponsors in relation to myriad types of financing products and deals. Monica Thurmond, a key contact for private equity funds and their portfolio companies, and Mark Hayek, who focuses on corporate borrowers seeking leveraged loans, co-lead the group. They are supported by seasoned securities and leveraged finance partner Daniel Bursky. Another key resource is Adam Summers, whose practice spans fund finance matters such as NAV loans and asset financing, and syndicated facilities and high-yield bond financings for LBOs and other acquisitions.

The practice at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP advises public and private borrowers in sectors including life sciences, tech, manufacturing and energy on an array of debt financing and refinancing transactions. New York-based Douglas Horowitz, whose experience spans leveraged finance and syndicated facilities, sponsor-backed and corporate-led deals, co-leads the group alongside Aaron Adams, who handles complex debt structuring work and senior credit facilities. Also in the New York office, Jin Hee Kim comes highly recommended for refinancing, bridge facilities and more, and Houston-based Shalla Prichard focuses on assisting borrowers in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Also in Houston, Andy Chen advises on corporate lending and leveraged finance transactions in the oil and gas exploration, production, midstream and oilfield services spaces in addition to the renewable energy sector.

From New York, Jennifer Bralower leads the sponsor-focused team at Goodwin, tackling everything from acquisition finance, syndicated credit facilities and junior capital. The team also works with corporate borrowers hailing from tech, life sciences, fintech, healthcare and industrial manufacturing, capable of advising clients regarding acquisition financings, recapitalizations, growth credit facilities, refinancing transactions and fund finance. San Francisco-based Dylan Brown navigates various deals from LBOs and recapitalizations to refinancings, and in Boston, Anna Dodson concentrates on private capital, and Reid Bagwell's broad practice encompasses data centre financing, asset-based fund finance, syndicated and private deals. In Santa Monica, Kristopher Ring assists private capital players and corporates with special situation facilities, synthetic royalty financings and subscription facilities. Christopher Steinroeder comes recommended for direct lending transactions.

Buffalo-based Hodgson Russ LLP focuses on handling lending transactions involving New York State-based and Canadian borrowers and lenders, with an emphasis on manufacturing, energy, construction, hospitality and more. Focused on cross-border lending and commercial real estate financing, Christofer Fattey leads the group, which is equipped to advise on syndicated loans, securitized and mezzanine loans, as well as public finance transactions, including tax-exempt bonds. Another key team member is Danijel Augustinovic, who handles various lending and restructuring deals.

NYC-based duo Carolyn Alford and Todd Holleman lead the team at King & Spalding, which advises global companies in tech, food and beverage, life sciences, energy, private equity sponsors and other borrowers on a range of debt financing deals. Best known for its leveraged finance work, the group is also familiar with alternative lending and syndicated bank lending. Key pillars in the group include New York partner Marisa Sotomayor, who acts on large and mid-cap transactions as well as restructurings and distressed credits, and Atlanta-based Shane Dornburg‘s experience spans cash flow and asset-based credit facilities, syndicated lending, hybrid structures and more. Mae Rogers joined the firm in January 2026 from Mayer Brown.

With an immense sponsor-side practice, the debt finance offering at Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a favourite among private equity funds, their portfolio companies, and public and private corporate borrowers. The team advises on virtually all types of debt financing transactions, including LBOs, restructurings, liability management transactions, capital call and subscription facilities, as well as fund-level finance and acquisition finance. In New York, Melissa Hutson focuses on syndicated loans, leveraged PE acquisition financing, recapitalizations and debt restructurings, and Jay Ptashek possesses a vast array of debt financing arrangements and capital structure matters. Chicago-based Michelle Kilkenney acts for sponsors and companies in DIP, workout and restructuring negotiations, mezzanine and subordinated financing transactions. New York-based Jason Kanner‘s experience spans bulge-bracket and middle-market secured and unsecured finance transactions, from ABL facilities to bank/bridge commitments, as well as liability management transactions. Also in New York, Judson Oswald handles refinancings, amendments, acquisition and take-private financings for private equity firms and their portfolio companies. LA-based Paul Rezvani and Houston-based Lucas Spivey are additional key names in the group.

Advising private equity sponsors as well as corporate borrowers, the debt financing team at Latham & Watkins covers the full gamut of distressed and non-distressed transactions, handling major sponsored acquisition financing to repricing and refinancing transactions, first lien notes offerings, liability management exercises and more. Practice head Jason Licht splits his time between Washington DC and New York, Mark Morris has notable experience with distressed debtor situations, and Jason Bosworth is brought on to advise on corporate finance and finance products at the fund level in Los Angeles. In New York, Daniel Seale is a key name for private credit loans and large-cap syndicated deals, and Alfred Xue focuses on cross-border leveraged finance transactions. Manu Gayatrinath is well-acquainted with huge acquisitions, carve-out financings, ABLs, bridge loan facilities and debt restructurings, and Joshua Tinkelman assists with LMEs, LBOs and other debt financing deals. Washington DC’s Jeffrey Chenard works on syndicated loans, cross-border financings, private credit deals and mezzanine financing transactions. In New York, Kendra Kocovsky specializes in advising private equity firms sponsoring large-cap acquisition financings, and Washington DC-based Katherine Putnam is familiar with syndicated and alternative capital deals.

Representing borrowers in construction, energy, venture capital and asset management, the team at Linklaters LLP is co-led by Danielle Le Cren in New York. The group is experienced across general corporate lending, real estate and acquisition finance, routinely navigating secured and unsecured credit facilities, ABL, fund finance, syndicated loans and more. Michael Bassett specializes in energy and infrastructure project financing. Philip Lee is another key name in the practice who focuses on everything from ship, fund and acquisition financing, syndicated and bilateral credit lines and debt restructurings.

New York-based Jared Bryant and Dallas-based Matthew Berde co-lead the team at Massumi + Consoli LLP,  handling leveraged and sponsored acquisition financings, restructurings and refinancings, and other debt finance matters. The group assists PE funds and corporate borrowers in sectors including technology, energy, telecoms and more, and is well-versed in direct lending and private capital arrangements, as well as distressed situations.

New York-based Scott Zemser co-leads the group at Mayer Brown alongside Fred Fisher, Matt O’Meara and Andrew Vouziers, all based in Chicago. With sizeable footprints in energy, infrastructure and manufacturing, the group advises on leveraged buyouts, project finance, credit upsizing, and general corporate loans provided by banks and alternative lenders. In New York, Adam Wolk advises clients on domestic and cross-border lending, from first and second-lien financings to acquisition finance and exit facilities, and Sydni Eibschutz supports borrowers from a broad selection of sectors. Mae Rogers departed the team in January 2026.

Morrison Foerster's private equity-focused team is led by Los Angeles partner Dario Avram, whose expertise also extends to debt restructuring. Michael Vernace is well-versed in advising PE sponsors and portfolio companies, as is Eric Min, who is also works closely with fintech borrowers. Geoffrey Peck focuses on large-cap, middle-market and mezzanine financing and restructuring.

Big-ticket private equity acquisition financing is the core specialism at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP which is also adept at navigating syndicated, leveraged and private credit deals for major corporate borrowers in energy, technology, construction, manufacturing and other industries. Prominent private equity houses and global asset managers turn to the team to handle LBOs, sponsored finance, recapitalizations, refinancings and more, benefiting from the experience of New York-based Gregory Ezring, a key contact for alternative asset managers and PE players in leveraged loans and high yield bonds transactions, and Danielle Penhall, who handles portfolio company financings, LBOs, LMEs and debt restructurings, also in New York. Thomas de la Bastide is another pillar of the New York offering, drafted for advice on various debt financing matters, from acquisition financing to restructurings, DIP and exit facilities. In Los Angeles, Eric Wedel advises PE funds on acquisition financing, and New York practitioner David Tarr is sought out for assistance with refinancing and acquisition finance for tech clients, among other leveraged and acquisition finance deals. Also in New York, Suhan Shim advises clients on LMEs, restructurings, fund level NAV facilities and bridge loans.

Dallas-based Angela Fontana and New York-based Leslie Plaskon jointly oversee the practice at Sidley Austin LLP, which focuses on acquisition finance and complex debt financing work for PE sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as for investment and non-investment-grade public and private companies. Handling leveraged acquisitions and dividend recapitalizations, carve-out acquisitions and fund finance issues, the team on staff includes Dallas-based Kelly Dybala, who advises PE acquisition sponsors and works with companies to complete various debt financing deals, from mezzanine structures to subscription financing and restructurings. In New York, Joshua Thompson handles leveraged lending, liability management deals and structured finance, and Houston-based Daniel Allison focuses on clients in the energy and infrastructure sectors. Steven Rutkovsky is another key contact for private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers alike.

With an emphasis on sponsor-side work, the New York-based team at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is led by Alexandra Kaplan and Brian Steinhardt, and is trusted by major PE funds, corporate borrowers and portfolio companies to handle large acquisition finance, infrastructure and project finance. With a strong track record handling debt financing arrangements in sectors like real estate, manufacturing, technology, healthcare and hospitality, the group includes David Teh, who leads on alternative capital deals, and Brian Gluck, who comes recommended for sponsored acquisition financing deals and is well-versed in fund level financing, refinancing and liability management transactions and more. Eli Isak tackles bank and bridge loan financing as well as restructuring, recapitalizations and LMEs. Katherine Reaves joined from Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton in November 2024, focusing on acquisition financing for corporate borrowers and sponsors, an area where Christopher Brown is also a key contact.

Serving large corporates, private equity firms and their portfolio companies, the group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is co-led by Steven Messina and Janine Jjingo. Its caseload includes large-cap acquisitions and corporate credit facilities, handling syndicated and alternative, leveraged and investment-grade financings, navigating bridge financings, private credit deals, asset-based financings and green financings for major corporates in industries such as healthcare, transportation and cosmetics. Chicago-based David Wagener advises on various debt financing matters, from leveraged acquisition deals to exit financings, and in New York, Sean Francis Cornely focuses on LBOs, bridge loans and more. In Los Angeles, Leila Sayegh advises corporate and private equity clients on various arrangements, from LBOs and bridge loans to first and second lien financings. In New York, Christian Nahr is sought out for guidance on dividend recapitalizations, restructurings, private credit and direct lending, and Danielle Li tackles acquisition financing, bridge and margin loans, LBOs and more. Two further key New York office figures are David Passes, whose experience encompasses high-profile acquisition and REIT financing, and Andrew Alvarez, who helps arrange various acquisition financing deals for heavyweights in food and beverage, travel and tourism, infrastructure and more. Tracey Chenoweth left in October 2025.

Advising on LBOs, acquisition financing and other debt arrangements, the outfit at Troutman Pepper Locke LLP places an emphasis on middle-market deals and counts well-known corporate borrowers as clients. Philadelphia-based Bradley Boericke specialises in leveraged and structured financing, and Berwyn lawyer Deborah Enea acts for PE funds and their portfolio companies as borrowers.

Vinson & Elkins LLP's debt finance practice is built around the energy sector, advising clients in upstream oil and gas, refining, renewables, storage and energy infrastructure, transport and logistics in relation to a range of lending products. David Wicklund leads the team from New York, focusing on striking asset-based and high-yield deals and acquisition and leveraged finance for private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies, as well as energy companies. In Houston, Mark Holmes handles hybrid, bridge, acquisition, loan B financing and more, and Darin Schultz is well-acquainted with syndicated energy sector loans. Caitlin Lawrence joined in July 2025 from Baker Botts L.L.P.

Several of the world’s most influential MNCs turn to Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz to handle the financing for high-value, multi-jurisdictional acquisitions, LBOs, divestitures, spin-offs, huge leveraged recapitalizations and distressed financing situations. With major clients in pharmaceuticals, technology, media and entertainment, and retail and consumer, the group is also well-versed in delayed draw term loan features and liability management matters, an area where Joshua Feltman leads. The team is co-led by Emily Johnson, a key name in devising complex capital structures, bank and direct lending transactions and distressed acquisitions and deals, and Gregory Pessin, who focuses on acting for borrowers in merger and acquisition financing arrangements, including the sale of distressed entities and debt financing-related disputes. Michael Benn is equipped to advise on bankruptcy, restructuring and liability management transactions in addition to various other corporate financing deals, as is Benjamin Arfa.

Assisting PE sponsors and corporate borrowers of various sectors with big-ticket bank and non-bank lending, from leveraged and investment-grade acquisition finance work and fund finance to distressed credits, the group at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is based primarily in New York. Private equity finance specialist Andrew Colao jointly steers the team alongside Justin Lee, who specializes in liability management structures, liquidity issues and capital solutions for distressed borrowers. Third co-head Courtney Marcus is based in Dallas, and assists sponsors and corporate borrowers with leveraged acquisition and recapitalization deals, bridge and mezzanine financing, workouts, debtor-in-possession financing and more. Back in New York, Benton Lewis comes recommended for private equity-backed acquisition financing, and Jessie Chiang‘s competencies include acquisition financing, bridge loans, debt restructuring, subordinated and second lien financings. Meredith Mackey navigates leveraged and high-yield transactions, and Andrew Yoon‘s experience spans a broad selection of products and financing transactions.

The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ New York partner Justin Wagstaff leads the team at White & Case, which advises corporate borrowers in sectors like data centres, energy and X in addition to assisting private equity sponsors on various debt financing matters, from first and second-lien deals to amendments and repricings. The lawyer lineup features Binoy Dharia, who has notable experience with liability management transactions in addition to debtor-in-possession and exit financings. Sherri Snelson comes recommended for fund and portfolio finance transactions and leveraged finance deals, and Brett Pallin focuses on distressed situations and various cross-border and domestic transactions, from asset-based financings to acquisition finance and dividend recapitalizations. Also integral to the offering is Yehuda Rubel, whose broad skill set spans everything from mezzanine financing to syndicated loans and exit financing.

New York-based Viktor Okasmaa leads the practice at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP, which handles private equity-sponsored acquisitions, negotiates, amends and upsizes revolving credit facilities, and handles an array of other debt financing transactions. In New York, Joshua Deason works with domestic and international borrowers, private equity sponsors in relation to various financing arrangements, and Andres Mena‘s expertise spans LBOs, acquisition financings, restructurings and energy transactions. Also in New York, Daniel Durschlag specializes in fund-level finance including NAV facilities and leveraged finance transactions, and Jason Pearl advises sponsors on deals including bank and bridge commitments, ABL facilities and mezzanine financing. In Chicago, Bradley Laken is a key name for LBOs in a vast selection of industries, and Jacob Schtevie tackles a wide range of facilities as well as sponsor-backed LBOs and recapitalizations.