Overview
Calfee’s Commercial Finance practice represents clients in all aspects of domestic and international transactions, financings, and debt structures.
The firm’s commercial attorneys counsel financial institutions and borrowers in analyzing, structuring, documenting, and negotiating all aspects of finance in private, public, syndicated, international, and governmental settings.
We also assist companies in developing and structuring the commercial aspects of domestic and international business relationships including development projects, sales, distribution arrangements, and multinational ventures. We are among those select firms having established an independent practice dedicated solely to commercial business and finance – a practice now setting high standards of excellence for other commercial finance practices.
Noteworthy
Chambers USA, Band 2 Ranking in Banking & Finance (Ohio)
For more than a decade, Calfee's Commercial Finance group has been recognized by Chambers USA. In 2020, Chambers USA researchers noted that the team is "esteemed for its experience in advising major financial institutions and corporate borrowers across a host of banking and finance-related issues, with particular expertise in the manufacturing and industrials sectors. Areas of significant strength include financing corporate transactions, capital markets work, bankruptcy and workout matters and counseling on regulatory compliance."
Chambers USA researchers further reported that a client commented: "They really do offer a one-stop shop – they could handle the finance work as well as the day-to-day commercial issues. Their expertise is wide and far-reaching; they give us everything we need and more." Another client is quoted as saying, "The firm has surprised me in an extremely positive way, and it competes on a global scale in finance matters."
Karl S. Beus, Chair of the practice, has been ranked in Chambers USA 2020 in Banking & Finance (Band 2), and has been recognized for his "strong knowledge of the law and vast experience in negotiating deals and financing," with sources commenting on his abilities to bring "very complex matters to their practical essence." – Chambers USA 2020
Laura L. Hult, Partner with the Commercial and Public Finance practice, has been ranked in Chambers USA 2020 (Band 3), and has been noted as offering "strengths in handling financial aspects of complex transactional work, including public M&A and private equity deals. Clients describe her as 'attentive and thoughtful' and note her skills as a 'confident negotiator.'" – Chambers USA 2020
U.S. News – Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms” Rankings
Calfee was selected for inclusion in the 2021 "Best Law Firms" rankings by U.S. News – Best Lawyers in Banking and Finance Law (National Tier 3, Metropolitan Tier 1 Cleveland) and Commercial Finance Law (Metropolitan Tier 3 Columbus).
IFLR1000 (United States), Guide to the World's Leading Financial and Corporate Law Firms and Lawyers
Calfee was selected for inclusion in IFLR1000 – Guide to the World's Leading Financial and Corporate Law Firms 2021 nationally in Banking and Finance as Other Notable – United States and for 2019-2020 in Tier 1 – Ohio. IFLR1000 2019 researchers quoted a Calfee client describing Calfee's Banking Group in the following way: "Everything they did seemed a level above all my prior dealing with a law firm."
Services
Services
Financing
- Revolving, term, asset-based
- Multi-currency and international
- ESOP financings
- Multi-lender syndications and participations
- Debt offerings; note purchase arrangements
Commercial Finance
- Asset-backed structured finance securitizations
- SBIC equity and debt placements
- Mezzanine financings
- Derivatives transactions
- Interest rate protection
- Letters of credits and guarantees
Domestic and International Business
- Sales, distribution and agency
- Commercial aspects of joint ventures
- Computer developments and servicing
- Electronic data interchange
Workouts and Restructurings
- Secured party sales
- Troubled debt purchases
- Facility restructurings
- Standstill and forbearance arrangements
- Debtor-in-possession financings
- Inter-creditor and subordination arrangements
Specialized Banking Services
- Lender liability audits
- Special opinion counsel
- Regulatory compliance; FIRREA
- Thrift and bank holding companies
Specialized Business Transactions
- Equipment leasing; sale-leasebacks
- Project financings
- Asset acquisitions
- Bankruptcy acquisitions