Michelle Raftery is Counsel in the Debt Finance and Capital Markets Group at Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP, resident in the Boston and New York offices.
Michelle has substantial experience in a wide range of complex structured finance and real estate finance capital markets transactions. Michelle has particular expertise representing commercial and investment banks, financial institutions and GSE's in connection with structuring both bankruptcy-remote commercial mortgage loan originations and in mezzanine loan financings related to real property as well as in legal isolation opinions under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. Michelle's transactional experience includes acquisition finance, syndicated corporate loans, real estate finance, and corporate restructuring. Michelle also counsels clients on the financing aspects of private equity and other M&A transactions.
Notable Experience
ˇ Represented NYSE-listed telecommunications company in financing the acquisition of a $500 million portfolio of more than 1,800 communication sites.
ˇ Represented a GSE in structuring and closing a $531 million affordable housing loan.
ˇ Represented a Bermuda-domiciled monoline insurance company in the out-of-court restructuring and commutation of $12 billion in ABS CDO's.
ˇ Extensive experience in complex, multi-jurisdictional and cross-border real estate finance transactions.
ˇ Represented lenders in asset-based lending, syndicated lending, second lien financings, secured lending and project finance transactions.
ˇ Advise clients on rating agency criteria and regulatory trends for securitized commercial real estate loans.
ˇ Advise holders of problem loans in dealing with insolvent or potentially insolvent entities in out-of-court restructurings and in bankruptcy proceedings.
ˇ Structured or securitized finance transactions include credit tenant lease securitizations, bondable lease-backed debt financings and equipment lease receivable financings.
Recent Speaking Engagements and Publications
ˇ "New Structured Finance Developments: An Overview of Islamic Loans," Journal of Real Estate Finance, June 2005.
ˇ "True Lease or Secured Financing: Recovering Meaningful Residual Value," Equipment Leasing Newsletter, April 2004.
Before Edwards Wildman
Prior to joining the Firm, Michelle was a Special Counsel in the Financial Restructuring Department of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. She also served as a Law Clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge Lisa Hill Fenning in the Central District of Los Angeles.
Besides Edwards Wildman
Michelle is a member of the Board of Trustees of Ursuline Academy, Dedham, Massachusetts.
Memberships
ˇ Women's Association of Venture & Equity