John J. Oberdorf III Joins Fried Frank’s Leading Fund Finance Practice

Global law firm Fried Frank announced today that John J. Oberdorf III has joined the firm as a fund finance partner in New York. He brings a comprehensive finance background and deep experience in fund finance to the firm's market-leading Fund Finance Practice.

"John is an excellent addition to our leading Fund Finance Practice, which advises our clients on some of the market's most innovative and cutting-edge transactions," said Steven Epstein, Fried Frank's managing partner. "As we continue to grow in our core practice areas, this group helps us achieve our clients' complex financing needs."

"We are excited to welcome John to our fund finance team," said Ariel Zell, partner and co-head of the firm's Fund Finance Practice. "As the global fund finance environment continues to rapidly evolve, John's talent and skill set will enhance our ability to create tailored financing solutions for our clients."

At his previous firm, John served as US chair of the banking and finance group. He represents banks, non-bank lenders and other financial institutions and investment funds in a wide range of finance and fund finance matters, including subscription credit facilities, NAV financings, hybrid facilities, GP facilities, management company facilities and back-leverage facilities. John also advises clients on acquisition financing, asset-backed financing, working capital credit, cash flow/asset-based lending, venture and technology lending, commercial real estate financing, securities lending, private bank lending, and a variety of other bespoke liquidity arrangements involving debt and often including esoteric assets as collateral.

John is a regular speaker at the Fund Finance Association's annual Global Fund Finance Symposium and at other prestigious industry events. He also contributes articles on fund finance to publications including Global Legal Insights' Fund Finance (commonly known as the 'Pink Book').

"With his broad-based finance background and strong understanding of sophisticated issues in the fund finance space, John is a versatile addition to our team," said Adam D. Summers, partner and co-head of the firm's Fund Finance Practice. "He is a respected practitioner in the market and we are delighted to have him join us."

Including John, to date this year, Fried Frank has added 12 partners, boosting the firm's transactional and contentious practices.

Fried Frank's market-leading Fund Finance Practice is comprised of 50+ lawyers, globally. The firm is a leading advisor on a wide range of fund finance transactions, including commitments-based and NAV-based facilities, rated note feeders, collateralized fund obligations, securitizations and other bespoke secured and structured financings. The firm's experience spans transaction sizes, jurisdictions and asset classes, from debt assets and secondaries to renewable energy projects and real estate, making it a trusted partner for global asset managers. Since the beginning of 2019, Fried Frank has advised on 200+ fund finance transactions, representing nearly $45 billion in lending commitments.

This communication is for general information only. It is not intended, nor should it be relied upon, as legal advice. In some jurisdictions, this may be considered attorney advertising. Please refer to the firm's data policy page for further information.