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.

• 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 

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