Sidley has bolstered its Global Finance and Tax practices in New York and Washington, D.C., with the addition of finance partners Lee Askenazi, Alistair Dunlop, Robert Hagan, and Rebecca O’Brien, alongside tax partner James Gouwar. The team arrives from Clifford Chance, where Askenazi co-chaired the U.S. Global Financial Markets practice and holds a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA 2026 for Capital Markets: Securitization: RMBS.
The four finance partners possess deep expertise in structured capital markets and structured finance. They counsel sponsors, issuers, investors, asset managers, arrangers, sellers, purchasers, and other market participants on complex securitization and asset-backed financing transactions, including:
- Asset-backed securities and residential mortgage-backed securities.
- Collateralized loan and fund obligations and rated note feeders.
- Warehouse and other secured financing facilities, new issuances, refinancings, and restructurings across a broad range of asset classes.
Their practices span U.S. and international markets, encompassing private credit and asset-backed financing, as well as regulatory and transactional guidance related to evolving structured finance frameworks and asset-backed lending.
Gouwar specializes in the tax dimensions of structured finance, covering mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations, and real estate mortgage investment conduits. He has played a key role in developing innovative securitization structures across diverse financial assets and holds a Band 1 ranking in Chambers USA 2026 for Capital Markets: Securitization: Tax. His background also includes work with private equity funds, hedge funds, regulated investment companies, and other pooled vehicles.
These hires extend Sidley’s momentum in 2026, following the addition of eight other Global Finance and Tax partners earlier in the year. Sidley’s Global Finance group now comprises more than 200 lawyers advising on high-value financings across platforms, industries, and asset types, while its Tax practice includes over 60 lawyers across the U.S. and Europe who assist clients with complex cross-border tax matters.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are building a fully integrated platform that enables us to advise clients across every facet of the most sophisticated financing transactions. Lee, Alistair, Becky, Rob, and Jim deepen our capabilities across Global Finance and Tax while creating opportunities to collaborate with our private equity, investment funds, insurance, and real estate teams. Their complementary practices and strong client relationships will enhance the value we deliver to existing clients and position us to win new mandates across the private capital markets.”
Brian Fahrney, Chair of Sidley’s Executive Committee
“Lee, Alistair, Becky, Rob, and Jim are outstanding additions whose practices further strengthen Sidley’s leadership in structured finance, private credit, and securitization. Their arrival reflects our continued investment in premier teams and practice areas that are strategically important to our clients and to our firm’s long-term growth.”
Yvette Ostolaza, Chair of Sidley’s Management Committee
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