Jennifer St. John Yount

Partner, Corporate Department

New York

T 1(212) 318-6008

F 1(212) 303-7008

Jennifer St. John Yount is the chair of the Paul Hastings Global Finance and Restructuring 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.

Accolades and Recognitions

Named by Chambers USA to the list of leading attorneys for Banking and Finance:

“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
40 under 40 Award Winner (M&A Advisor)

Speaking Engagements and Publications

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

Professional and Community 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

Education

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

Rankings & Awards

Recognized by Chambers USA 2020
Chambers USA 2020: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business listed the firm in 37 research areas and named 104 firm lawyers to its rankings of leading lawyers and law firms in the United States.
May 01, 2020

Recognized as NLJ Trailblazers in Finance, Banking, & Capital Markets
John Cobb, Frank Lopez, and Jennifer Yount were recently featured among The National Law Journal’s inaugural Trailblazers series recognizing the nation’s leading lawyers in Finance, Banking, & Capital Markets.
October 01, 2019

Recognized by Chambers USA 2019
Chambers USA 2019: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business listed the firm in 44 practice areas and named 107 firm lawyers to its rankings of leading lawyers and law firms in the United States.
April 26, 2019

Recognized among Crain's Notable Women in Law
Jennifer Yount was recognized among Crain's Notable Women in Law, which highlighted top female lawyers in New York. She was noted for accomplishments in mentorship and in representing top financial industry clients.
January 14, 2019

Recognized as a Leading Woman in Commercial Finance
Jennifer Yount was recognized among The Secured Lender's profiles of the most accomplished and influential women in commercial finance. In this semi-annual series, "Women in Commercial Finance," TSL noted Jennifer's success building Paul Hastings' asset-based lending, commercial finance, and private credit practice. Jennifer's interview noted her advice for women starting in the industry, lessons shes learned in her career, and the importance of both giving and receiving mentoring and sponsorship. The full profile can be found here.
May 31, 2018

Recognized by Chambers USA 2018
Chambers USA 2018: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business listed the firm in 45 research areas and named 112 firm lawyers to its rankings of leading lawyers and law firms in the United States.
May 15, 2018

Recognized by Chambers USA 2017
Chambers USA 2017: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business named 46 of the firm’s practice areas and 112 individuals to its ranking of leading lawyers and law firms in the United States.
June 05, 2017

Recognized by Chambers USA 2016
Chambers USA 2016: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business named 47 of the firm’s practice areas and 112 individuals to its ranking of leading lawyers and law firms in the United States.
June 08, 2016

Recognized by the M&A Advisor's 40 Under 40 Awards
Jennifer St. John Yount was selected as a winner of M&A Advisor's 40 Under 40 Recognition Awards. The 40 Under 40 Award winners have been chosen for their accomplishments and expertise from a pool of international nominees by an independent judging panel of distinguished business leaders.
July 13, 2010

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