Shearman & Sterling has increased its capabilities in the capital markets and leveraged finance practice areas with the addition of partnerJonathan DeSantis in New York.
DeSantis arrives from Dewey & LeBoeuf, where he was a partner and focused on capital markets transactions, including high-yield bond and bank financings and refinancings, debt and equity offerings and debt restructurings. He started his law practice at Cahill Gordon and later was an investment banker at Bank of America.
“JD comes to us with an excellent reputation in capital markets and in leveraged finance and is a very welcome addition as we continue to build our capabilities in those very important practice areas,” said Creighton Condon, Shearman & Sterling’s Senior Partner.
“We expect JD to make an immediate impact in serving our clients, especially in financial services,” added Antonia Stolper, a Shearman & Sterling partner and leader of the firm’s Capital Markets-Americas practice. “A real strength of JD’s is that he handles both bank and bond financings, as well as commitment papers.”
DeSantis has represented the underwriters and initial purchasers in connection with several public and private high yield debt offerings, including offerings for The New York Times and Toys ‘R’ Us.
“Shearman & Sterling enjoys an exceptional reputation in capital markets and leveraged finance here in the US and worldwide,” DeSantis said. “This is a great opportunity for me to continue to serve my US clients and to now offer them increased global capabilities.”
Shearman & Sterling’s leveraged finance practice represents commercial banks, investment banks and borrowers in the leveraged syndicated lending market. The firm’s lawyers have demonstrated structuring, financing and deal management skills, as well as significant international experience. In particular, they are well known for innovative and creative approaches to complex financing transactions. In order to deliver “one stop” service to clients who require complex financings, such as those that consist of senior bank, bridge and high yield financings, the leveraged finance team frequently works with the firm’s capital markets lawyers, particularly those focused on the high yield area.
