Best Lawyers in America for Commercial Finance Law

John Babcock has extensive experience in corporate and tax law matters, mergers and acquisitions and general business transactions, as well as commercial loan transactions where he represents both borrowers and lenders. John represents clients regarding all aspects of entity formation, debt and private equity financing, corporate governance, shareholder disputes, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and commercial business and loan transactions. He also devotes a significant portion of h...

Diana M. Ducharme is the Founder and sole member of Ducharme Law LLC, a Rhode Island women-owned business law firm. She practices in the area of commercial real estate finance, development and leasing, representing a broad range of clients on a variety of projects. Diana's real estate finance practice is focused on the representation of regional financial institutions in all aspects of commercial real estate finance, including construction and term lending, participations and syndications. On...

Douglas S. Gosden is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Finance Law. Douglas S., who practices law in Atlanta, Georgia, has been recognized since 2009. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Abba David Poliakoff is Chairman of the Firm's Securities Practice Group and Israel Practice Group, and a member of the Firm's Business Law and Electronic Discovery Practice Groups. After law school, Abba joined the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C., where he became a senior attorney in the Division of Corporation Finance. From 1980 to 1983, when he joined the Firm, Abba was associated with the Wall Street law firm of Cahill, Gordon & Reindel in New ...

Ashley advises businesses, financial institutions, and individuals concerning bankruptcies, class actions, contracts, construction, environmental issues, fidelity, surety and financial institution bonds, insurance, professional malpractice, real estate, corporate, and estate matters. She also mediates and arbitrates business disputes. Ashley currently serves as a member of the AAA Construction Panel, AAA Commercial Panel and FINRA Panel as an arbitrator and mediator. After Hurricane Katrina, ...

Robert T. Smith heads the Finance and Commercial Transactions Practice Group and serves on the firm’s Management Committee. His diverse corporate practice focuses on representing individuals, companies, and financial institutions in general business, transactional, securities and regulatory matters. He has handled transactions in a variety of areas including the banking, healthcare, real estate and technology industries.In the banking area, Robert advises clients on merger and acquisiti...

Robert J. Pinstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Robert J., who practices law in Memphis, Tennessee, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert J. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kate Schroepfer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law and Commercial Finance Law. Kate, who practices law in Denver, Colorado, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kate is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Marion Weinstock serves as Chair of the Commercial Transactions Section for the firm. Her practice covers a wide range of commercial transactions. She has handled and closed real estate purchases and sales of apartment complexes, warehouses, shopping centers and other commercial properties and has negotiated and prepared commercial leases (for both landlords and tenants), purchase agreements, condominium documents, servitude agreements and many other types of contracts and agreements. Marion ...

Melissa leads the Real Estate Practice Team, and focuses her practice on corporate and real estate matters, with an emphasis on commercial sales, acquisitions, leasing, redevelopment, and construction law. She has extensive experience in structuring primary and replacement real estate financing with banks, private investors, and joint ventures, including mezzanine and other uniquely structured secured loan facilities. Melissa offers her clients significant experience in negotiating commercial...

SETH L. COOPER is a principal of Brody Wilkinson and a member of the firm’s Business 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. Mr. Cooper frequently plays an active role in assisting with the structure of the busin...

William “Bill” R. Scherer cofounded the firm in 1974 with his late partner Rex Conrad. Over the past five decades, Mr. Scherer has grown Conrad & Scherer into one of Florida’s leading law firms and has expanded the firm’s presence with offices in New York, New York, Brevard, North Carolina, and Quito, Ecuador. AV® Preeminent™ Peer Rated by Martindale-Hubbell® since 1987, Mr. Scherer is a seasoned trial attorney. He has litigated over 100 trials in bot...

Philip A. “Phil” Cooper is a corporate and M&A attorney in the Atlanta office of Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough LLP. He advises buyers, sellers, investors, privately held companies, private equity sponsors and portfolio companies, borrowers, and lenders in mergers and acquisitions, equity transactions, acquisition financing, commercial finance transactions, corporate governance matters, and complex commercial arrangements. Phil brings a practical, deal-focused perspect...

Mathew serves as the managing partner for Harris Beach Murtha's offices located in Albany and Saratoga in New York's Capital Region. As a co-leader of the Financial Institutions Industry Team, Mathew assists clients in navigating complicated matters related to commercial real estate and lending. Collaborating with a diverse range of financial institutions, he contributes valuable insights into commercial lending and related real estate transactions. In addition to advising on transactions rel...

Michael High was the leader of the firm’s Business and Commercial Services Practice Group for more than 20 years and currently serves as co-leader of the Group. He has extensive experience in representing businesses, investors, lenders and borrowers in a wide range of corporate and commercial matters, including entity formation, shareholder/owner relations, corporate governance, drafting, reviewing and negotiating complex contracts, mergers, acquisitions and dispositions, corporate fina...