Morris, Manning & Martin has a broad Commercial Finance practice (including non-traditional credit areas) representing banks, investment funds and other financial institutions.  We assist our clients in transactions providing debt capital, including syndicated and single-lender senior secured and unsecured credit facilities, real estate and other asset-based financings, mezzanine loans and other forms of junior financing, agency lending, government guaranteed loans, traditional bank financings and other types of debt financing.  Additionally, our lawyers assist commercial finance clients with workouts, restructuring and other types of loan modifications.  The practice has been listed as a premier banking & finance practice by Chambers USA, a leading legal services ranking organization, since 2007. 

Key Services

Senior Financing - Syndicated and Single-Lender Transactions

Our lawyers represent administrative agents, collateral agents, lead arrangers and bookrunners in syndicated senior secured and unsecured financing transactions in a variety of industries.  These types of transactions range from acquisition financing to revolving and term loans to highly-structured multiple-lien transactions. By being apprised of the latest industry trends and having practical experience closing hundreds of syndicated and single-lender transactions, we are able to assist our lending clients with structuring, documenting and ultimately closing these transactions.

Franchise Lending - Restaurant and Convenience/Gas

The Commercial Finance practice has developed a unique skill set tailored to represent lenders in the often complex franchise lending arena.  We have significant experience in transactions involving dozens of quick service or casual dining franchises, as well as convenience and gas facilities.  With often more than fifty collateral sites involved, we understand the importance of assembling a team of experienced attorneys, paralegals and other staff members to insure each closing is handled proficiently and economically.  We are often called upon to work directly with large franchisors to address franchise and lease provisions that are not in favor of lenders.  Whether funding an acquisition, recapitalization or a sale/leaseback, our team has a breadth of knowledge and experience to expertly guide lenders through the closing process.

CMBS, Mezzanine and other Structured Products

We represent a variety of lenders originating highly structured real estate loans destined for securitization and other sectors of the capital markets.  We have closed hundreds of conduit loans secured by all types of asset classes, including retail, hospitality, multifamily, office, mixed-use, condominiums and mobile home facilities.  Our team has experience with A/B structures, tenants-in-common, floating rate loans, hyper-amortization and other types of structured transactions.  Additionally, our team works with lenders to structure and close mezzanine and other subordinated debt financings such as "B" notes or similar junior participations in securitized loans. Our team draws upon its experience to address situations ranging from intercreditor issues to matters impacting rating agencies review and approval.  From the initial loan application through the securitization or other secondary market disposition of a loan, the members of the commercial finance practice provide insight and practical advice required to successfully close transactions in today’s market.

Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae

Freddie Mac® and Fannie Mae® lenders across the country can trust the skilled team at Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP with a variety of transactions originated under their product lines. We have closed thousands of loans under the Freddie Mac® conventional mortgage program, including standard fixed rate and variable rate loans, acquisition upgrade and acquisition rehabilitation loans, streamlined refinances, supplemental loans, and forward commitments for new construction or rehabilitation, as well as bond credit enhancements. We now add to that scope of experience substantial proficiency under the Fannie Mae Delegated and Underwriting Servicing conventional loan program.  Our lending group offers extensive breadth and insight into Freddie Mac® and Fannie Mae® transactions. Our attorneys have particular experience working with the Multifamily Division of Freddie Mac®, including immediate cash deliveries, early rate lock transactions and credit enhancement transactions, and the team regularly represents Freddie Mac® lenders in multifamily conventional and affordable loan programs. Our team includes a former director and associate general counsel to Fannie Mae®, who brings over 21 years of experience and perspective to the practice. She has a comprehensive knowledge of Fannie Mae® multifamily products and has also served as a vice president and transaction manager for a Fannie Mae® DUS lender, where her work with underwriters, producers, closers and outside counsel assured successful multifamily loan deliveries and transactions to Fannie Mae®.

Traditional Bank Representation

Morris, Manning & Martin’s Commercial Finance lawyers represent leading multi-national financial institutions, regional banks and community banks in their lending activities. Members of our finance group are knowledgeable in a wide variety of transactions, including conventional commercial transactions, construction loans, term loans, real estate, asset-based lines of credit and other secured loans.  Additionally, we assist our traditional banking clients with loan sales, modifications, foreclosures and participations.

Government Guaranteed Loans

The members of the Commercial Finance practice have extensive experience with government guaranteed loans, with a particular emphasis on Small Business Administration loans.  Our team of lawyers and paralegals has decades of combined experience and has represented many of the nation’s largest government guaranteed lenders in transactions across the country. Our team has developed specialized skills in the government’s policies and procedures and a clear understanding of the complexities involved with government guaranteed loans.  Morris, Manning & Martin’s Commercial Finance lawyers assist our lending clients with developing processes and procedures that ensure our lending clients’ loans comply with government regulations.