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Overview

Jennifer St. John Yount is the co-chair of the Paul Hastings Global Finance practice. Ms. Yount is based in the firm’s New York office and leads a global team of finance and restructuring lawyers to service the firm’s clients. Before settling in New York, she practiced in the firm’s California offices. 

While Ms. Yount has a strategic focus on private credit and specialty lenders in both cross-border and U.S.-focused transactions, Ms. Yount also represents a wide range of traditional and investment banks. Her work for both banks and nonbanks includes acquisition financings, cash-flow, asset-based lending, distressed credit, special situations, and restructurings. She represents clients in all parts of the capital structure – senior, junior, first lien, second lien, first out, last out, super-senior, and preferred equity. 

Ms. Yount practiced in the bankruptcy courts before becoming a finance and restructuring lawyer. She has industry expertise in many business sectors, with a special focus on global software, technology and payment systems businesses, healthcare, retail, aircraft, automobiles, and in-transit inventory.  

Ms. Yount is a thought leader in the finance industry and speaks widely on the market challenges facing both traditional and nonbank lenders.

Recognitions

  • The Legal 500 USA, Commercial Lending (2021-2022)
  • Chambers USA, Leading attorney for Banking and Finance: "She has an excellent command of the law while also understanding how to temper what is required from a legal perspective with business needs." Chambers USA 2022
  • Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year, Women in Business Law Awards (2022)
  • The Legal 500, Finance - Commercial Lending: Advice to Lenders (2021)
  • Chambers USA, Leading attorney for Banking and Finance:
    • Jennifer "is one of the best attorneys in the direct lending field. She has a thorough grasp of market terms and knows how to dissect and analyze complicated, unique financing structures - she's a true pleasure to work with." Chambers USA 2020
    • “Jennifer is often my first call when I have a legal question or topic, particularly complex issues. She knows how to get a deal done and is able to balance her extensive legal expertise with a business lens.” Chambers USA 2019
    • Noted Practitioner in Banking and Finance. Chambers USA 2018
    • Jennifer is “very adept at finding resolutions to complex situations or issues during negotiations.” Chambers USA 2017
    • “[H]er demeanor when approaching negotiations and solutions is outstanding.” Chambers USA 2016
    • “Jennifer's command of the law is beyond impressive. When she gets on the phone and I am against sophisticated counsel, she sets my mind at rest because I know I am going to be protected.” Chambers USA 2015
  • Honored among Crain’s Notable Women in Law, a semi-annual series highlighting the top female lawyers in New York. 
  • The Secured Lender magazine – Leading Women in Asset-Based Finance
  • M&A Advisor, 40 under 40 Award Winner 

Education

  •  Southwestern University School of Law, J.D.
  •  University of California Santa Barbara, B.A.

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    Engagement & Publications

    • Paul Hastings Associate Training – Client Serve (Feb 2021)
    • Private Debt Investor Round Table – How a Crises-Hit Market is Taking Shape (Dec 2020)
    • Private Debt Investor Round Table - Paul Hastings: Covid-19 forces managers to be more creative (Oct 2020)
    • Credit Agreements – Client Presentation (Sep 2020)
    • Asset Based Lending – Strafford Presentation (May 2020)
    • Forbearance Agreements – Paul Hastings M&A Academy (Apr 2020)
    • Software Restructurings – Client Presentation (Dec 2019)
    • Paul Hastings Associate Training – Client Panel on the Importance of Client Service (Oct 2019)
    • Private Debt Investor – Guggenheim, Alliance Bernstein, and Vista Debt Fund – Software and Healthcare Lending (Sept 2019)
    • Paul Hastings Client Panel – Wells Fargo, RBC, and Bridgewater (Mar 2019)
    • Private Debt Investor – Client Panel – Structures and Market Trends (Sept 2018)
    • Emerging Structures in Asset-Based Lending: The Tension Between Innovation and RiskThe Secured Lender (Jan/Feb 2018)
    • The Real Deal on Retail – Panel on Retail Finance – Paul Hastings Breakfast Briefing in New York (Nov 2017)
    • Unitranche 3.0 – What You Don’t Know About the Evolving Unitranche Market? – Private Debt Investor Forum in New York (Sept 2017)
    • The Convergence Between Large Cap and Middle Markets – Debtwire Middle Market Private Credit Forum in Los Angeles (July 2017)
    • Intercreditor Structures: A Comparison of U.S. and U.K. Law – The Loan Market Association in London (Mar 2017)
    • Cross-border Deals – Private Debt Investor Forum in London (Nov 2016)
    • Borrower in Distress? A Toolbox for Secured Lenders – The Secured Lender (Oct 2016)
    • Evaluating Key Intercreditor Arrangements: First Lien/Second Lien, Split Collateral, Senior/Mezzanine, and Unitranche Structures – Strafford Webinar (Jul 2016)
    • Reading Between the Liens: An Inside Look at Current Trends in the Credit Markets – Paul Hastings Breakfast Briefing in New York (May 2016)
    • RadioShack – Bankruptcy Court Implicitly Recognizes Enforceability of Agreement Among Lenders But Limits Coverage of First Out Contingent Indemnification Claims – Paul Hastings Client Alert (May 2015)
    • Predictions for Intercreditor Arrangements in 2015 and Beyond – The Devil Really is in the Details – The Secured Lender (Apr 2015)
    • Intercreditor Arrangements – Reading Between the Liens – LSTA Webinar (Jan 2015)
    • Speaking engagements at banking and lending institutions, including:
      • Structural Considerations in Acquisition Financings
      • Insolvency and Restructuring: A Comparison of U.K. and U.S. Law
      • Breaking Down Borders: Cross-border Deals and Blurring Lines between U.S. and Europe
      • Interlender Topics and Trends: Intercreditor Agreements, Subordination Agreements, and Agreements Among Lenders
      • Middle Market vs. Large Market Deals: Converging Markets
      • Unitranche Structures
      • Equity Co-Invest: How to Protect Your Minority Investment

    Involvement

    • Secured Finance Network (formerly the Commercial Finance Association)
    • Private Debt Investor
    • Loan Syndications & Trading Association
    • Turnaround Management Association
    • Shane’s Inspiration – Inclusive Playgrounds and Programs for Children
    • Institute for Educational Advancement

    Practice Areas

    Corporate

    Internet of Things

    Financial Services Litigation

    Global Finance

    Financial Services

    Direct Lending and Private Credit Lending

    Leveraged & Syndicated Lending

    Asset-Based Lending

    Life Sciences and Healthcare

    Energy

    ESG & Impact

    LIBOR Transition

    Financial Restructuring


    Languages

    English


    Admissions

    New York Bar

    Massachusetts Bar

    California Bar


    Education

    Southwestern Law School, J.D. 1996

    University of California, Santa Barbara, B.A. 1993


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