Wade Kennedy, a highly regarded lawyer who focuses on asset-based lending and syndicated financings, has joined Holland & Knight as a partner in the firm’s Chicago office. He will be co-chair of the firm’s Asset-Based Lending Team along with Christopher Dillon in Atlanta. Mr. Kennedy was previously the head of the asset-based lending group at McGuireWoods LLP.
“Wade has a national reputation as a leading commercial finance lawyer, assisting many of the country’s largest and most active asset-based lenders,” said Jose Sirven, leader of Holland & Knight’s Business Section. “His experience structuring and closing some of the most complex credit facilities sets him apart from his peers and makes him a terrific addition to our finance practices in Chicago and the firm.”
“In addition to his extensive experience with sophisticated finance transactions, Wade has an impressive record of leadership and team-building,” said Cindy Brazell, who co-chairs the firm’s Financial Services Practice Group. “We are extremely pleased to have such a multitalented lawyer join our team.”
Mr. Kennedy primarily represents large financial institutions in single lender, club and syndicated asset-based credit facilities, with a focus on larger sponsor-related acquisition transactions, as well as multicurrency and cross-border financings. He has been involved in asset-based lending transactions ranging in size from $40 million to $5 billion and spanning various industries, including manufacturing, trucking, food products, lender finance, retail, beverage and energy.
In addition to traditional asset-based lending financings, Mr. Kennedy regularly documents complex intercreditor arrangements, unitranche facilities, pooled receivables financings, lender finance facilities and reserve-based and midstream energy credit facilities.
Mr. Kennedy served on the board of directors of the Secured Finance Foundation for many years and was chairman of the Development Committee from 2017-2019. He is currently a member of the Nominating Committee for the Foundation.
“Holland & Knight’s expansive asset-based lending capabilities and relationships with some of the most sophisticated lenders across the country make it the ideal place for my practice to thrive,” said Mr. Kennedy. “Over the years, I’ve worked with several Holland & Knight finance attorneys, and I know that they share my strong commitment to client service and enthusiasm for innovative legal counsel.”
Mr. Kennedy earned a J.D. degree from the University of Michigan Law School and a B.A. degree from St. Lawrence University. He is admitted to practice law in Illinois and North Carolina.
