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Image: Jennifer St. John Yount

Jennifer St. John Yount

Partner, Corporate Department

jenniferyount@paulhastings.com

New York

Phone: +1-212-318-6008
Fax: +1-212-303-7008

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. 

Accolades

  • Dealmaker of the Year, New York Law Journal’s New York Legal Awards
  • Band 1 – Private Credit, Chambers USA (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.”
  • Leading attorney for Banking & Finance, Chambers USA (2007-2024)
    • “She balances legal points with commercial reality very well.”
    • “She is smart, articulate and overall outstanding.”
  • Finance – Commercial Lending, Legal 500 US
  • Banking and Finance Lawyer of the Year, Women in Business Law Awards

Education

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

News

    Accolades

    Insights

    Engagement & Publications

    • Paul Hastings Associate Training – Client Serve (February 2021)
    • Private Debt Investor Round Table – How a Crises-Hit Market is Taking Shape (December 2020)
    • Private Debt Investor Round Table - Paul Hastings: Covid-19 forces managers to be more creative (October 2020)
    • Credit Agreements – Client Presentation (September 2020)
    • Asset Based Lending – Strafford Presentation (May 2020)
    • Forbearance Agreements – Paul Hastings M&A Academy (April 2020)
    • Software Restructurings – Client Presentation (December 2019)
    • Paul Hastings Associate Training – Client Panel on the Importance of Client Service (October 2019)
    • Paul Hastings Client Panel – Wells Fargo, RBC, and Bridgewater (March 2019)
    • Private Debt Investor – Client Panel – Structures and Market Trends (September 2018)
    • The Real Deal on Retail – Panel on Retail Finance – Paul Hastings Breakfast Briefing in New York (November 2017)
    • Unitranche 3.0 – What You Don’t Know About the Evolving Unitranche Market? – Private Debt Investor Forum in New York (September 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 (March 2017)
    • Cross-border Deals – Private Debt Investor Forum in London (November 2016)
    • Evaluating Key Intercreditor Arrangements: First Lien/Second Lien, Split Collateral, Senior/Mezzanine, and Unitranche Structures – Strafford Webinar (July 2016)
    • Reading Between the Liens: An Inside Look at Current Trends in the Credit Markets – Paul Hastings Breakfast Briefing in New York (May 2016)
    • Intercreditor Arrangements – Reading Between the Liens – LSTA Webinar (January 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

     

    • Private Debt Investor – Guggenheim, Alliance Bernstein, and Vista Debt Fund – Software and Healthcare Lending (September 2019)
    • Emerging Structures in Asset-Based Lending: The Tension Between Innovation and Risk – The Secured Lender (January/February 2018)
    • Borrower in Distress? A Toolbox for Secured Lenders – The Secured Lender (October 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 (April 2015)

    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

    Global Finance

    Financial Services

    Direct Lending and Private Credit Lending

    Leveraged & Syndicated Lending

    Asset-Based Lending

    Life Sciences and Healthcare

    Energy

    ESG & Impact

    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