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Mike is a partner in Reed Smith’s Energy and Natural Resources Group. He concentrates his practice in trade finance, structured finance, and commercial lending.
Experience
Representative matters
Representative matters
Represented a biodiesel developer in connection with formation, equity and debt offerings and negotiation of licensing and construction contracts.
Represented a biodiesel developer in connection with the negotiation of a biodiesel off-taker contract.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company with the renegotiation of a credit facility to finance a biodiesel plant.
Alternative Energy Transactions
Represented a biodiesel developer in connection with formation, equity and debt offerings and negotiation of licensing and construction contracts.
Represented a biodiesel developer in connection with the negotiation of a biodiesel off-taker contract.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company with the renegotiation of a credit facility to finance a biodiesel plant.
Represented a multi-national commodities trading company with the negotiation of a credit facility to finance a biodiesel plant.
Credit Facilities
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in a $4.5 billion borrowing base credit facility to finance its crude oil, petroleum products, renewable fuels and power businesses in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Canada and St. Eustatius.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in a cross-border syndicated $100 million borrowing base credit facility to finance the borrower’s trading activities in rice, coffee, grains, pulses, and other agricultural products located in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, the Netherlands, Belgium, the UK and Germany, as well as the accounts receivable resulting from the sale of such products. The transaction required the negotiation of 8 separate intercreditor agreements.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in a cross-border syndicated $70 million borrowing base credit facility to finance the borrower’s trading activities in coffee beans located in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, Peru, Malaysia, Germany, the UK and Peru, as well as the accounts receivable resulting from the sale of such coffee beans.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in a $100 million borrowing base credit facility to finance borrower’s crude oil, refined products and other petroleum product trading activities in the U.S. and Mexico.
Represented the trading business of a Brazilian bank in a $200 million borrowing base credit facility to finance its global cotton, coffee, oilseeds and grains trading activities.
Represented the trading business of a Brazilian bank in a $100 million borrowing base credit facility to finance its power and gas trading activities.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in a $1 billion borrowing base credit facility to finance its crude oil, petroleum products, metals, power and steel trading activities.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a $1.02 billion borrowing base credit facility to finance its petrochemical trading activities in the United States and Mexico
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a $965 million borrowing base credit facility to finance its polymers trading activities in the United States, UAE, England, Africa, The Netherlands and Italy.
Represented a commercial solar developer in connection with a $50 million borrowing base facility in the United States.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a $750 million borrowing base credit facility to finance its petrochemical trading activities in the United States.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a $500 million borrowing base credit facility to finance its petrochemical trading activities in Europe.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several syndicated revolving credit facilities totaling more than $10 billion.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with a $865 million syndicated revolving credit facility syndicated in the farm credit system.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with a $400 million multi-currency term loan facility syndicated in the Japanese bank market.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with a $900 million syndicated term loan facility.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several bilateral credit facilities totaling more than $2.5 billion.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in several secured bilateral credit facilities to finance crude oil, petroleum products and metals.
Represented an oil trading company in connection with several secured bilateral credit facilities to finance crude oil.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several syndicated term loan facilities totaling more than $2.5 billion.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several syndicated multi-currency European credit facilities totaling more than $5.5 billion.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company regarding several European bilateral facilities totaling $100 million.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company regarding a ¥10 billion syndicated term loan facility.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several syndicated liquidity facilities supporting its commercial paper program totaling more than $1.5 billion.
Represented an agricultural joint venture regarding syndicated revolving credit facilities totaling $125 million.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with a $2 billion syndicated term loan facility to finance an acquisition.
Represented one of the largest multi-national quick service restaurant companies regarding syndicated revolving credit facilities totaling $600 million.
Represented a Canadian restaurant company in a $200 million Canadian revolving credit facility.
Represented a Canadian restaurant company regarding a $100 million U.S. revolving credit facility.
Represented a Canadian restaurant company in a $300 million Canadian term loan facility.
Represented a Canadian restaurant company regarding a $200 million bridge facility.
Represented a multinational pork processor regarding syndicated revolving multicurrency credit facilities totaling €600 million.
Represented one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies regarding a $1.15 billion liquidity facility supporting its commercial paper program.
Represented a marketplace lender in a $100 million borrowing base facility secured by small and medium size business loans and customer receivables.
Represented the senior lenders in structuring senior and mezzanine borrowing base financing facilities to provide funding to a fintech company that acquires and makes consumer loans in conjunction with consumer counseling activities.
Represented the senior lenders in structuring senior and mezzanine borrowing base financing facilities to provide funding to a fintech company that makes loans to other legal entities that acquires pools of distressed consumer credit card receivables.
Represented an investment manager in connection with a social impact credit facility provided by charitable organizations acting as lenders.
Represented a financial services company in connection with a $35 million secured term loan facility provided by private equity to fund an acquisition of a debt resolution business.
Represented a financial services company in connection with a $70 million secured term loan facility provided yby private equity to fund its consumer lending business.
Represented a clearinghouse in connection with a $7 billion secured credit facility to finance margin calls.
Represented an exchange in connection with a $7 billion unsecured credit facility for general working capital purposes.
Represented a commodity trading company as lender in connection with a $100 million committed delayed draw credit facility extended to an oil and natural gas exploration and production partnership and long-term off take contracts.
Letter of Credit Facilities
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in a $341 million syndication of its letter of credit facility supporting its commercial paper program.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in several standby letter of credit facilities totaling more than $1 billion.
Represented a global hotel operator in a $120 million standby letter of credit facility.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with multiple standby and documentary letter of credit facilities.
Represented a bank in connection with a documentary letter of credit facility provided to a trading company to finance uranium
Represented a financial institution in connection with letter of credit discounting facilities provided by China Construction Bank.
Bond Issuances
Advised a multinational commodities grain trading company on senior note bond issuances totaling more than $4 billion.
Advised a multinational commodities grain trading company on a $250 million Canadian senior note bond issuance.
Advised a multinational commodities grain trading company on a $250 million convertible note bond issuance.
Advised a multinational commodities grain trading company on a $486 million private placement note issuance.
Medium Term Notes
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies regarding the issuance of $600 million in medium-term notes.
Advised an arranger bank and a trustee regarding the issuance by a multinational oil trading company of more than $700 million in medium-term notes.
Commercial Paper Facilities
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in a $750 million asset-backed commercial paper facility.
Represented one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies in a $200 million corporate commercial paper facility.
Represented a technology company in a $1.5 billion corporate commercial paper facility.
Represented an agriculture trading company in connection with a $1 billion corporate commercial paper facility.
Mergers and Sale of Assets
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies on its merger with another quick service restaurant company.
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies on the purchase of a large franchisee.
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies on the sale-leaseback of 600 restaurant properties.
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies on the sale of a $780 million franchisee loan portfolio.
Advised one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies on the sale of an equipment and building loan portfolio.
Cash Pooling Arrangements
Advised a medical device company on the structuring of a cash pooling arrangement in the UK, Ireland, Malaysia and France.
Corporate Reorganizations
Represented a medical device company in a corporate reorganization of its subsidiaries located in the U.S., UK, Switzerland and France.
Represented a global agribusiness and food products company in connection with the redomiciliation of its parent from Bermuda to Switzerland and related amendments to financing facilities totaling more than $12 billion.
Represented a chemical trading company in connection with amendments to its borrowing base facilities in connection with a parent reorganization and reorganization of multiple subsidiaries.
Review of Bank Securitization Portfolios
Reviewed more than 40 transactions in a bank's securitization portfolio.
Reviewed more than 50 transactions in bank's securitization portfolio.
Securitizations
Represented one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies in the structuring of a whole business securitization.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in the structuring of a $800 million global trade receivables securitization involving receivables originated in the U.S., Canada, Spain, Portugal, France, Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Hungary and Germany.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring and negotiation of a $340 million global trade receivables securitization of receivables originated from the sale of chemical products by a chemical company in the United States, Belgium, German, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a $400 million securitization of customer receivables related to the provision of IT services in the U.S.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a €200 million securitization of customer receivables related to the provision of IT services in Germany.
Represented the arrangers and the trustee in the structuring of securitizations by a multinational oil trading company totaling more than $1 billion in trade receivables.
Represented a construction company in the structuring of a $30 million securitization of energy services contracts.
Represented one of the largest multinational quick service restaurant companies in the structuring of a $500 million securitization of franchisee receivables.
Represented a retailer in the structuring of a $125 million securitization of franchisee receivables.
Represented a bank in the structuring of a $100 million securitization of trade receivables.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring by a multinational commodities trading company of a $1.2 billion securitization of inventory and trade receivables.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of a securitization of intercompany notes.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $100 million securitization of rights to receive related to restaurant receipts.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $170 million securitization of trade receivables.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $100 million securitization of in-transit auto receivables.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $120 million securitization of steel inventory.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $50 million securitization of charged-off credit card receivables.
Represented an arranger bank in the structuring of a $250 million securitization of steel inventory.
Represented a global hotel operator in the structuring of a $120 million securitization of hotel franchisee loan receivables.
Represented an issuer in the structuring of multiple revolving and term lottery receivables securitizations.
Represented an issuer in the structuring of multiple revolving and term securitizations of structured settlements and annuities.
Represented a structured settlement company in multiple repo financings of credit risk retention assets.
Receivables Discounting Facilities
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of multiple receivables discounting facilities and a secured bilateral facility to finance government obligor trade receivables and petroleum products oil stored in Puerto Rico.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance receivables originated from the sale of fuel oil to The Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of multiple receivables discounting facilities provided by U.S. and Singapore banks, as well as a receivables trading platform, to finance receivables related to their global oil and gas trading activities.
Represented a bank in connection with the structuring of multiple receivables discounting facilities to finance trade receivables originated by a chemical trading company.
Represented a bank in connection with the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance trade receivables.
Represented a bank in connection with its participation in a trade receivables discounting facility involving receivables originated in connection with the sale of petroleum products.
Represented a trade finance fund in the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance trade receivables.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance U.S. federal government obligor receivables.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance receivables under a Swedish software solutions contract.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance receivables under an Australia software solutions contract with a government agency.
Represented an IT services company in connection with the structuring of a receivables discounting facility to finance receivables under a Malaysia software solutions contract.
Represented a software developer in connection with the structured financing of an IT services company’s commitments to purchase software.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the sale of receivables on a digital receivables platform.
Represented multiple sponsors of digital receivables platforms in the documentation and roll out of their programs in the U.S. and Europe.
Represented multiple commodity trading companies and banks in connection with a receivables platform provided by a fintech company utilizing blockchain technology.
Represented a fund in the purchase of a stream of fees related to the distribution of films.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in connection with a syndicated trade receivables discounting facility provided to a food products company.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in connection with a trade receivables monetization facility provided to a Bermuda spirits company.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in connection with a trade receivables monetization facility provided to the manufacturer of equipment for the infrastructure and agricultural industries.
Represented a commodities trading company in connection with a receivables purchase facility provided in connection with a term off-take contract.
Supplier Finance Programs
Represented an IT services company in connection with a supplier financing program.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in connection with the establishment of a supplier finance program to finance the purchase of wind turbines for a private equity owned developer of wind farms.
Represented the New York branch of a global bank in connection with multiple participations in supplier finance programs established by other banks.
Represented a U.S. regional bank in connection with a participation in a supplier finance program established by another bank.
Inventory Financing
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with the structuring of a soybeans repo.
Represented a bank in connection with a corn repo.
Represented a bank in connection with regulatory diligence related to a refinery marketing arrangement.
Represented a financial institution in connection with a metals repo.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with multiple secured bilateral facilities a borrowing base facility and the intercreditor agreement related to such facilities for the financing of crude oil, biofuels and petroleum products.
Represented a financial institution in connection with multiple secured bilateral facilities and the intercreditor agreement related to such facilities for the financing of crude oil, petroleum products, metals and grains.
Represented a crude oil trading company in connection with multiple secured bilateral facilities and a related intercreditor agreement for the financing of crude oil.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of an inventory financing arrangement whereby our client financed $100 million of receivables and gasoline sold by our client to a Canadian petroleum company.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in structuring a bill of exchange discounting facility related to their trading activities of physical grains.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in structuring a letter of credit discounting facility related to their trading activities of physical grains.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a coal prepayment and bailment arrangement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with an aluminum consignment arrangement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with an aluminum bailment arrangement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a biodiesel bailment arrangement.
Represented a financial institution in connection with a coal prepayment, coal inventory financing facility, receivables financing facility and coal marketing arrangement.
Represented a financial institution in connection with providing advice related to bailment arrangements.
Represented a bank in connection with regulatory due diligence related to base metal repo and prepayment arrangements.
Represented a bank in connection with an oil repo.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a repo involving ethanol stored and in transit on rail cars and in storage facilities.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a repo involving steel in transit on ocean-going vessels and at ports.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a repo involving steel in transit on ocean-going vessels and ports and in storage and processing facilities located in Mexico.
Advising a multinational commodities trading company in connection with an in tank repo involving crude oil.
Advising a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a repo involving base metals located in warehouses.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a repo involving wheat stored in warehouses.
Represented a financial institution in connection with an exchange of futures for physicals (EFP) repo involving the in warehouse transfer of grains using electronic warehouse receipts.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a prepayment of crude oil purchased from a producer.
Represented a bank in connection with the preparation of template documentation for base metals and grain repos.
Represented a bank in connection with the preparation of template documentation for consignments of precious metals.
Represented a bank in connection with the sublease of precious metals.
Represented a bank in connection with repos of precious metals.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a structured financing of crude oil while in transit and during transloading from trucks to railcars.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a supply and storage arrangement involving crude oil.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in numerous profit sharing and marketing arrangements involving the purchase, transit and sale of crude oil throughput pipelines and terminals in the Permian Basin for export internationally.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in a structured profit sharing arrangement involving the purchase of crude oil from producers located in Western Texas and the transport of such oil through multiple pipelines and terminals to Corpus Christi, Texas for export.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with its secured financing of feedstock, work-in-process and finished products at multiple biomass power plants located in the U.S.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in the structuring of an inventory financing facility to finance gasoline, fuel oil, diesel and jet stored at five Puerto Rico storage facilities.
Securities Repos
Represented a clearinghouse in connection with multiple securities repos to finance margin calls.
Represented a global bank in connection with a $125 million securities repo transaction involving the purchase and sale of limited partnership interests in a limited partnership that owned bitcoin.
Equipment Financings
Represented a multinational metals trading company in connection with the financing of equipment to be used in a copper mine.
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with multiple railcar leasing facilities related to railcars located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Represented a bank in connection with fuel cell equipment leasing transactions.
Represented an IT services company in the creation of hardware leasing programs in the U.S., England, Ireland and Australia.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the financing of equipment used in a copper mine.
Tolling, Pipeline Capacity and Storage Arrangements
Represented a multinational commodities grain trading company in connection with the tolling and bailment documents and an inventory rights agreement for alumina and finished aluminum products.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the financing of alumina and work-in-process under a tolling arrangement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the preparation of multiple storage agreements for metals, crude oil and fuel oil.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a scrap metal processing agreement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with preparing LME warehouse operating agreements.
Represented a multi-national commodities trading company in connection with a terminaling services agreement for petroleum products
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a tolling agreement for a petroleum products splitter and the related pipeline connection and pipeline revenue commitment agreements.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the preparation of a storage and throughput agreement for a refinery located in El Salvador and the related partnership interest purchase agreement, dispute settlement agreement and debt assignment and assumption agreement.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with the negotiation of long-term commercial agreements for the use of a splitter, storage facilities, gathering stations and terminal located in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Represented a crude oil trading company in connection with escrow agreements related to petroleum product storage arrangements.
Represented a steel trading company in connection with storage and bailment documents related to warehouses located in Mexico.
Represented a crude oil trading company in connection with a transloading agreement related to crude oil in transit on trucks and railcars.
Represented a crude oil trading company in connection with multiple pipeline transportation agreements and terminal throughput agreements, along with the review and revision of the applicable tariffs related thereto.
Represented a multinational commodities trading company in connection with a terminaling services agreement for petroleum products.
Recognitions
Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® (Banking and Finance Law), 2026–2027
Credentials
Education
Education
- Northwestern University, 1995, J.D., cum laude; Order of the Coif
- University of Notre Dame, 1992, B.B.A., magna cum laude
Professional admissions & qualifications
Professional admissions & qualifications
- Illinois
News
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