Global law firm Reed Smith announced today that Jeffrey Stern has joined as a partner in its Financial Industry Group, based in the firm’s New York office. Stern, previously co-head of the structured finance practice at Winston & Strawn LLP, has represented a diverse range of clients, including financial institutions, corporations, and private equity firms, in matters involving asset-backed securities (ABS), collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), and other sophisticated financial instruments and esoteric asset classes.
With more than 30 years’ experience in structured finance and derivatives, Stern brings a deep commercial sensibility to his practice. He has completed securitizations, structured credit facilities, and derivatives/structured products transactions involving an exceptionally wide range of esoteric (and mature) asset types. His practice includes CLOs and CFOs (including private CLOs), litigation pre-settlement funding, consumer loan finance, equipment lease finance, music royalty finance, financing and securitization of insurance-related assets (including life settlements and broker commissions), and specialty finance. Additionally, Stern has worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for nearly 20 years, focusing on cross-border assets and cash flow financings.
“We have been searching for topflight talent with CLO and ABS experience to complement our existing global structured finance capabilities. Given his roster of clients, including those that operate in industries of strategic growth for the firm, as well the depth of his experience advising clients on structured products and derivatives transactions, which are attractive to our bank and private equity clients, Jeff fills that need and then some.” said Jodi Schwimmer, global co-chair of Reed Smith Financial Industry Group. “We are thrilled to welcome Jeff to Reed Smith.”
Reed Smith’s global structured finance team features one of the broadest and most dynamic practices in the industry. The firm’s structured finance lawyers advise on a wide variety of structured products, taking into account significant cross-border and cross-jurisdictional issues, including bonds, commercial paper and medium-term notes, securitizations involving a wide variety of assets (including commercial and residential mortgage backed securities, , whole-business, CLOs, collateralized debt obligations), intercreditor arrangements and operating advisory issues, project bonds, Islamic bonds, high-yield debt products, convertible and exchangeable securities, and structured note programs.
“I am excited to join Reed Smith and collaborate with such a talented and dynamic team,” said Stern. “The firm’s commitment to excellence and its forward-thinking approach to legal services align perfectly with my professional values. I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the firm’s structured finance practice and helping our clients navigate the complexities of the financial markets.”
Jeff’s arrival comes several weeks after the firm announced that former GE Capital deputy general counsel Josephine Chang joined its finance practice, also in New York.
“We’re growing our New York finance team with a focus on broadening our existing capabilities and expanding our offerings into new geographies and market sectors,” said John Scalzo, Reed Smith’s New York office managing partner. “With the additions of Jeff and Josephine, we’ve added top-tier talent to an already deep bench of excellent and experienced finance lawyers.”
