Global law firm Shearman & Sterling today announces the appointment of Stephen Gruendel as a Leveraged Finance partner in the Finance group, based in New York. His arrival adds to the firm’s expanding global and transatlantic leveraged finance offering. This follows the appointment of Heather Waters Borthwick in New York, Daniel Tristan in Houston, a four-partner team with leveraged finance expertise in Paris as well as Sanjeev Dhuna, Gary Hamp and Rahul Chatterji in London over the past year. Prior to joining Shearman & Sterling, Stephen was a counsel at Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP.
Stephen has led financings in both the acquisition and general corporate context. He brings significant expertise in leveraged finance and high yield bonds, including acquisition financing for both public and private mergers and acquisitions, transactions for domestic and cross-border financings, corporate and investment grade leveraged financings, liability management transactions and direct and special situations lending.
“With vast experience as a leveraged finance lawyer in the U.S. market representing underwriters and issuers on a range of complex financings, Stephen will bolster our leveraged finance practice as we continue to grow our transatlantic offering,” said David Beveridge, Senior Partner at Shearman & Sterling. “Stephen’s addition is part of our ongoing strategy to build our core practices in key geographies, aligning with market opportunities.”
Commenting on Stephen’s appointment, Alan Rockwell, Global Bank Finance Practice Group Leader added, “Stephen’s strong technical expertise, energy and significant experience, will enhance our existing leveraged finance practice in the U.S. and globally. He will be an integral part of our ongoing commitment to expand the firm’s global leveraged finance platform, while advising clients on their most complex and challenging transactions.”
Stephen Gruendel commented, “It is an honor to join Shearman & Sterling’s reputable finance practice and growing leveraged finance team. I am delighted by the opportunity to work alongside this preeminent team known in the industry for its high caliber of work, and I am excited to help build on the group’s success.”
Stephen’s appointment brings the total number of Shearman & Sterling lateral partner hires globally in the last year to 24. Last month, the firm welcomed Thad Behrens and Dan Gold to its litigation team, based in Dallas, as well as a four-partner team to its Paris office.
