Orrick today announced the addition of a 37-lawyer team — including 10 partners — from Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft, further strengthening its position as a global leader in structured finance and credit markets. The team, ranked No. 1 CLO arranger counsel by volume in the UK and No. 2 in the U.S. (9fin), is Band 1-ranked by Chambers Global in both jurisdictions. The group’s arrival marks a significant expansion of Orrick’s debt finance capabilities and coincides with the launch of the firm’s new office in Charlotte, North Carolina, adding 15 lawyers to the firm’s East Coast presence. The team also brings six lawyers to Washington, D.C., three to New York, and 14 (plus two trainees) to London — bringing Orrick’s Finance team to more than 250 lawyers across 17 offices worldwide.
A World-Class Team of Structured Finance Innovators
Joining Orrick are partners David Quirolo, Daniel Tobias, Claire Puddicombe, and Alex Collins in London; Joe Beach, Nate Spanheimer, Skyler Walker, and Doug Arborio in Charlotte; and Gregg Jubin and Mike Gonzalez in Washington, D.C.
The team is internationally recognized for pioneering work in collateralized loan obligations (CLOs) and structured finance innovation, including the first European CLO 2.0 transactions. Their experience includes advising on industry-defining deals such as the inaugural European middle-market private credit CLO, the BlackRock DLF-VIII-L CLO Trust, and the Ares XXX CLO transaction — all of which have earned GlobalCapital’s “Deal of the Year” honors.
They also counsel on emerging financial regulation in the U.S. and UK and serve as counsel to the Loan Market Association, the leading voice of the loan market across EMEA.
Advancing Orrick’s Global Finance Strategy
“The addition of this world-class team positions our firm uniquely to advise our private credit and banking clients as they innovate on private debt solutions,” said Mitch Zuklie, Orrick Chair. “It advances multiple strategic priorities — growing our London office, entering the Charlotte market, and scaling our Finance practice with a team of remarkable quality. We will look back on this move as a game-changer for our clients and our firm.”
“This addition brings together creative and experienced securitization practitioners across every asset class, strengthening our ability to innovate on today’s structured products and help our clients develop new, market-driven solutions,” said Leah Sanzari, Global Structured Finance Group Leader.
“The synergies across our practices will enable us to offer something truly unique to the market,” added B.J. Rosen, Orrick Global Finance Sector Co-Leader. “We’re combining two teams that have a long history of innovating on financial products at a moment when we believe the private structured products market is about to grow exponentially.”
A Strengthened Global Platform
The move solidifies Orrick’s comprehensive debt finance platform, combining one of the world’s most active CLO practices with the firm’s U.S. private credit and leading securitization practices across esoterics, ABS, RMBS, and CMBS. Together, these teams now hold seven Chambers Band 1 or Band 2 rankings across securitization disciplines.
Orrick’s leadership in structured finance and restructuring spans multiple jurisdictions, including Band 1 Chambers rankings in CMBS (U.S.), Esoterics/PACE (U.S.), Structured Finance (France), and now CLOs globally.
Building in London and Charlotte
“This is an exceptionally dynamic moment for financial market regulation,” said David Quirolo. “Orrick’s reputation for innovation aligns perfectly with our team’s vision to build a top-tier, globally integrated structured finance practice.”
Added Nate Spanheimer, “The convergence of banks and private credit funds is one of the most significant market shifts in U.S. finance. Our combined platform is uniquely positioned to help clients navigate this evolution.”
This announcement follows Orrick’s addition last month of Anna Howell as head of the firm’s global Oil & Gas practice, marking eight partner additions in London this year. The Charlotte office is the firm’s fifth East Coast location and second new office launch in 2025, following the opening of Miami earlier this year with a three-partner M&A and private equity team.
Source: www.orrick.com
