Baker & McKenzie
Baker & McKenzie has been called the "go-to firm" for developing legal innovations in various areas of the securitization markets--including complex and cross-border deals. The team at Baker & McKenzie was cited for thought leadership, "groundbreaking" legal opinions, and work in trademark licensing, time share loans, Japanese CMBS, defeased commercial real estate loans, cross-border DPRs, residential development lot opinions, and CDOs (synthetic and cash-flow funded).
Thacher Proffitt & Wood
Thacher Proffitt & Wood was cited for its "year-after-year performance" in the capital markets and its role as lead counsel on various sophisticated first-time transactions. One such transaction was the unique Metrofinanciera Trust 2005-1 and 2005-2, a cross-border deal backed by bridge loans for construction. Backed by Mexican assets, the deal exemplified the growing trend seen in Mexico's domestic market for foreign investment opportunities and structured finance business in Mexico's real estate market.
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft
Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft was recognized for the number of high-profile deals on which it worked in 2006--including the whole business securitization of Dunkin' Donuts, the financing of landmark New York City housing developments Stuyvesant Town and Peter Cooper Village for future securitization, its ongoing securitization program with RBS Greenwich Capital and Goldman Sachs, and the first-ever CRE CDO for the European market. The firm specializes in CMBS, RMBS, ABS, CDOs, and structured products.
McKee Nelson
McKee Nelson was cited for the work its securitization practice did in, both the ABS and MBS markets. The firm represented KeyBanc Capital Markets in the securitization of church receivables by faith-based Foundation Capital Resources, acted as counsel to ABN Amro in the Washington Mutual covered bond program (the first deal of its kind by a U.S. issuer), represented Bayview Financial in the first securitization in the United States of a pool consisting entirely of Canadian commercial mortgage loans, and continued to play an active role in the securitization of reverse mortgage loans.