Jeffrey Stern
Partner
With more than 30 years’ experience in structured finance and derivatives, Jeffrey Stern brings a deep commercial sensibility to his practice, and is recognized as a leader and innovator in a broad range of asset classes, including CLOs/CDOs, cross-border LatAm and Caribbean finance, insurance-related assets and risk transfer, warehouse facilities and structured credit, and esoteric asset/specialty finance.
Jeffrey's career path has led him in many different directions, from a jazz pianist in New York to a student of the Old Testament in Jerusalem, which ultimately led him to the practice of law. He draws from his creative instincts to architect and craft innovative and practical solutions to serve clients long-term goals, as their businesses and markets evolve.
Jeffrey has completed asset-based financings, securitizations, structured credit transactions, and derivatives/structured products transactions involving an exceptionally wide range of asset types. His practice includes esoteric asset finance and securitization, derivatives documentation, CLOs and warehouse/leverage facilities, FinTech platforms, structured funds, cross-border trade receivables and commodity financings, structured insurance financings, and funding/advising specialty finance companies.
He has played a leading role in developing and refining new and emerging forms of domestic and cross-border structured financings, derivative structures and structured products, asset-based lending, and structured credit facilities and alternate risk transfer transactions, representing asset managers, non-bank lenders, investment and commercial banks, insurance companies, and private funds, among others. Additionally, Jeffrey regularly represents clients in structuring and documenting deals involving unusual, complex, and/or distressed assets. He also has worked in Latin America and the Caribbean for nearly 20 years, focusing on cross-border asset and cash flow financings.
In the specialty finance and direct lending industries, Jeffrey crafts documentation for, and provides transaction-specific and strategic finance, structuring, and corporate counsel to, an array of established and formative finance companies and niche-market lenders, helping young companies to obtain efficient and flexible capital to grow and flourish, and mature companies to operate and expand their businesses.
Recent Experience
- Expert Guides, Best of the Best USA: Structured Finance and Securitisation (2019 and 2021)
- The Legal 500 U.S., Structured Finance: Securitization—USA (2016-2021, 2023)
- Chambers Global, Capital Markets: Structured Products—USA (2015 & 2016)
- Chambers USA, Capital Markets: Structured Products—Nationwide (2016)
- Chambers Global, Capital Markets: Securitization—USA (2011 & 2013)
- Chambers USA, Capital Markets: Securitization—Nationwide (2010-2012 & 2014)
- Co-Chair, Structured Finance Association (SFA) Alternative and Emerging Markets Committee
- Chair, Structured Finance Committee, New York City Bar Association (2011-2014)
- Member, Structured Finance Association (SFA) Derivatives in Securitizations Task Force and Risk Retention Task Force
- Member, Steering Committee, Marketplace Lending “Best Practices” Initiative, Structured Finance Association (SFA)
- Co-Chair, Marketplace Lending Best Practices Workstream (Operational Considerations), Structured Finance Association (SFA)
- Member, Loan Syndication and Trading Association (LSTA) CLO Committee
Credentials
Education
Jeffrey received a B.A., cum laude, from Harvard College in 1983, and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law in 1990.
Admissions
- New York
Clerkships
- USDC - Eastern District of NY for the Honorable Edward R. Korman
Languages
- French
- Spanish
- Hebrew
Related Insights & News
Recent Presentations
- Speaker, "Lateral Success: The Importance of Due Diligence and Relationship Building," The Lawyer’s Edge Podcast, January 2021
- Moderator, “The New Esoteric: Exploring the Potential for New Asset Classes Using Securitization as a Tool,” 25th Annual IMN ABS East Conference, Miami, September 2019
- Panelist, "Investor Panel," SCI Middle Market CLO Seminar, New York, June 2019
- Moderator, “Risk Retention Financing for CLOs: A Primer and Update on Market Developments,” 23rd Annual IMN ABS East Conference, Miami, September 2017
- Moderator, “The Commercial and Residential PACE Market Overview,” SFIG Vegas, Las Vegas, February 2017
- Panelist, “Establishing Long Term Funding for Marketplace Lending: Re-Booting a Primary ABS and Secondary Loan Market,” 22nd Annual IMN ABS East Conference, Miami, September 2016
- Speaker, "Current Issues in Structured Finance: Risk Retention Issues in CLOs," New York City Bar Association, New York, July 2016
- Moderator, "The Realities of Risk Retention," The 5th Annual Investors' Conference on CLOs & Leveraged Loans, New York, May 2016
- Panelist, "CLOs—Current Issues," New York City Bar's Current Issues in Securitization, New York, April 2015
- Speaker, “Issues in Crowdfunding of Complex Assets,” Pillsbury CLE Marathon, New York, February 2015
- Speaker, "CDOs and CLOs: Attila the Hun or Joan of Arc?," Pillsbury CLE Marathon, New York, February 2013
- Panelist, "U.S. Structured Credit Roundtable: Longevity Securitization Shows Growing Potential In The U.S.," Standard & Poor’s RatingsDirect on the Global Credit Portal, New York, January 9, 2012
- Panelist, "Esoteric ABS," PLI's New Developments in Securitization 2011, New York, December 2011
- Moderator, "Risk Management," SCI's 2nd Annual CDS Seminar: "Getting Ready To Go Live," New York, October 6, 2011
- Panelist, "Longevity Securitization Is Poised for Growth As New Investors Step Into The Market," Standard & Poor’s U.S. Structured Credit Roundtable, December 22, 2010
Recent Publications
- Guest Editor’s Letter, The Journal of Structured Finance, Fall 2019 (CLO edition)
- “The CLO Market Surprises Us Once Again: An Overview of the Current U.S. CLO Market,” The Journal of Structured Finance, Spring 2018
- “Expert Q&A on Marketplace Lending,” Practical Law, February 2017
- “H.R. 4166—Too Hot, Too Cold or Just Right?” The Journal of Structured Finance, May 2016
- “Expanding Proven Financing for American Employers Act,” securitizationflash -The Structured Finance Committee of the New York City Bar Association, December 18, 2015
- Chapter on "Structured Insurance Finance,” Securitizations: Legal and Regulatory Issues, 2014 (co-author)
- “Do Capital Markets Need Financial Guaranty Insurers?” Law360, October 6, 2014
- “Tips for the Occasional Swap Counterplay: Learn to Navigate the Regulatory Web,” JD Supra, November 6, 2012
September 18, 2023
January 14, 2022
February 23, 2021