(December 20, 2007, San Francisco) – Reed Smith LLP, one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, today announced the addition of Colleen McDonald as a partner in the Financial Services Group in the firm’s San Francisco office.
Ms. McDonald joins Reed Smith from Sidley Austin LLP, where she was a partner in the San Francisco office. Her current practice focuses on structured finance, securitization and commercial finance transactions. In the structured finance area, she has significant experience in cash-flow based lending arrangements, such as charged-off receivables and intellectual property royalties, as well as asset-based facilities.
“Colleen brings solid know-how in a broad range of commercial finance transactions including senior/secured and subordinated debt facilities, syndicated loan facilities, and commercial paper and medium-term note programs, as well as bank credit agreements,” said Frank Guadagnino, firmwide head of Reed Smith’s Financial Services Practice. “Working with members of the Financial Services group, as well as colleagues in the private equity arena, Colleen’s experience in structured finance will help us meet the needs of our clients for more sophisticated transactions in the banking, brokerage and financial services industries.”
In addition, her experience in securitization includes motor vehicle loans and leases, equipment leases, credit card receivables and trade receivables, as well as the sale and acquisition of securitization facilities including credit card master trusts, titling trusts and various other securitization vehicles.
Reed Smith’s San Francisco Office Managing Partner David Thompson said, “We welcome Colleen to the firm and to the San Francisco office. She joins colleagues who work closely with leading banks and securities firms in the Bay Area and nationally, and she will provide additional strength to our west coast financial services practice.”
“I am delighted to join Reed Smith and build my practice, working with my traditional clients and also bringing my expertise in structured finance to colleagues in the private equity group, whose clients will benefit from my skills and experience,” said Ms. McDonald. “Reed Smith is a recognized advisor to the top-tier financial players, and the prospect of working with these clients is very exciting. I look forward to contributing to the continued success and growth of the firm’s Financial Services practice.”
Ms. McDonald received a LL.B. from the University of New Brunswick in 1988, where she finished number three in her graduating class. She graduated with a B.B.A., also from New Brunswick, in 1985 and received her LL.M. from the University of Illinois in 1989.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is one of the 15 largest law firms in the world, with more than 1,500 lawyers in 21 offices throughout the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Founded in 1877, the firm represents leading international businesses from Fortune 100 corporations to mid-market and emerging enterprises. Its attorneys provide litigation services in multi-jurisdictional matters and other high stake disputes, deliver regulatory counsel, and execute the full range of strategic domestic and cross-border transactions. Reed Smith is a preeminent advisor to industries including financial services, life sciences, health care, advertising and media, shipping, international trade and commodities, real estate, manufacturing, and education. For more information, visit reedsmith.com
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