Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Finance Law
State
Bobbi Acord Noland is the consummate finance attorney. Throughout her 35-year career, Bobbi has helped lenders negotiate and conclude hundreds of secured loan transactions at all levels of complexity. Her collaborative, deal-focused approach serves as a catalyst for progress and creates positive customer relationships for her clients. As head of the Commercial Finance practice, Bobbi guides global banks, regional banks and finance companies through domestic and cross-border transactions rangi...
Julie A. Drewes is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Finance Law, Construction Law and Real Estate Law. Julie A. practices law in Minneapolis, Minnesota Best Lawyers has recognized Julie A. Drewes since 2020. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Julie A. Drewes is held by other lawyers.
Laura Frick is an attorney in the firm’s Commercial Finance practice group. She has represented national and regional banks and other financial institutions in syndicated, club, and single-lender transactions. Laura’s prior law firm experience and her many years as internal commercial lending counsel for a regional bank enable her to document and close transactions for her clients in a practical and efficient manner. Laura works closely with clients to help them navigate the compl...
Ross D. Taylor is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Commercial Finance Law. Ross D. practices law in Cincinnati, Ohio Best Lawyers has recognized Ross D. Taylor since 2026. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Ross D. Taylor is held by other lawyers.
Chris Dillon is an attorney in Holland & Knight's Atlanta office and a member of the firm's Financial Services Team, as well as co-lead of the Asset-Based Lending Team. He is a highly experienced financial services attorney who represents lenders and borrowers in a wide variety of domestic and international commercial finance transactions. Mr. Dillon has negotiated and documented numerous secured and unsecured credit facilities, including syndicated and single bank loans, asset-based loan...
A member in Dickinson Wright’s Austin office, Nikki Gibson is dedicated to helping clients achieve their goals in commercial transactions and real estate projects. Whether you’re involved in multifamily and affordable housing, industrial, or hospitality projects, Nikki works closely with you to create deal structures that balance business and legal needs, ensuring your projects reach their full potential. Nikki provides hands-on support in structuring, drafting, and negotiating al...
Elizabeth (Lizzie) Garner represents financial institutions, investors and borrowers in a wide range of financing transactions, including syndicated, club and bilateral credit facilities. Lizzie has sharpened her skills as a finance attorney in law firms and while serving as internal legal counsel for a large regional bank. In-house practice has allowed Lizzie to develop a unique insider’s perspective. Having been a law firm client herself, she better understands the needs and priorities of ...
C. Phillip Buffington, Jr. advises financial institutions throughout the United States on federal and state banking laws and regulations. For more than 30 years, he has served as a trusted advisor to community, regional and national financial institutions, helping them to assess and analyze regulatory and litigation risks. Phil advises on a full range of issues, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, expansion and divestitures, de novo formations and charter conversions, ba...
Douglas S. Gosden is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Finance Law. Douglas S. practices law in Atlanta, Georgia Best Lawyers has recognized Douglas S. Gosden since 2009. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Douglas S. Gosden is held by other lawyers.
Ralph A. Castelli Jr. is an attorney with Kemp Klein in Troy, Michigan . His practice focuses on Corporate Law , Real Estate Law , and Trusts and Estates , with an emphasis on advising businesses and individuals on planning, transactions, and long‑term business and ownership strategies. Mr. Castelli works with closely held and family-owned businesses on a wide range of corporate matters, including business planning and structuring, exit planning , shareholder and partner separations, and comp...
SETH L. COOPER is a principal of Brody Wilkinson and a member of the firm’s Business & Finance and Real Estate Groups. His areas of practice span a variety of transactional practice areas which include commercial real estate, mergers and acquisitions, lending, loan workouts, leasing, hospitality service contracts, business entity organizational matters, art law, general contract law and debtor-creditor rights. Seth frequently plays an active role in assisting with the structure of t...
Jason’s practice is focused on the representation of public and private companies, developers and lenders (and private equity sponsors) in finance, real estate and economic development matters, including infrastructure and utility-scale energy projects. He frequently represents companies that are expanding or relocating to Tennessee and has extensive experience with complex finance and economic development transactions, including transactions involving federal and state tax credits, pay...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.
