Overview
Jennifer St. John Yount is the co-chair of the Paul Hastings Global Finance practice. Jennifer 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 Jennifer has a strategic focus on private credit and specialty lenders in both cross-border and U.S.-focused transactions, she 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.
Jennifer practiced in the bankruptcy courts before becoming a finance and restructuring lawyer. She has industry experience in many business sectors, with a special focus on global software, technology and payment systems businesses, healthcare, retail, aircraft, automobiles and in-transit inventory.
Jennifer is a thought leader in the finance industry and speaks widely on the market challenges facing both traditional and nonbank lenders.
Accolades
- Dealmaker of the Year, New York Law Journal’s New York Legal Awards (2024)
- Chambers USA, Private Credit – Band 1 (2024)
- “Jennifer's transaction experience and rapport working with other law firms is unmatched.”
- “Jennifer threads the needle very well and is trusted by both sides of a transaction.”
- Chambers USA, Leading attorney for Banking & Finance (2007-2024)
- “She balances legal points with commercial reality very well.”
- “She is smart, articulate and overall outstanding.”
- The Legal 500 USA, Finance – Commercial Lending (2021-2023)
- Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year, Women in Business Law Awards (2022)
- Chambers USA Banking & Finance client feedback:
- “Jennifer gives commercial, nuanced advice and she is always available to discuss any matter that may arise. Her work product is also excellent.” “She is excellent at leading complex global deals.” Chambers USA 2023
- “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
- 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
Education
- Southwestern University School of Law, J.D.
- University of California Santa Barbara, B.A.
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 Risk – The 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