David Cohen Joins Sidley’s New York Office as Global Finance Partner
Sidley announced that David Cohen has joined the firm’s New York office as a partner in its Global Finance practice. Before joining the firm, Cohen served as Managing Director, Head of Secured Capital Markets at ATLAS SP, and brings over 18 years of experience in advising on and structuring finance transactions within private practice and at prominent investment firms.
Cohen focuses his practice on providing advice to investors, financing sources, sponsors, and alternative asset managers regarding private credit transactions, asset-backed finance, and complex structured finance, along with intricate capital structure solutions. His technical expertise covers a wide array of financial instruments. Throughout his career, he has overseen transactions including syndicated and bilateral bank financings, revolving and term securitizations, 4(a)(2) and Rule 144A formats, warehouse and structured repo facilities, CLO-style funding vehicles, NAV loans, participations, syndicated term loans, and credit facilities and corporate investment-grade unsecured bonds.
Expanding the Private Capital Platform
The hire is part of a broader expansion effort within Sidley’s transactional practices. According to Perry Shwachman, global co-leader of the firm’s M&A and Private Equity group and a member of the firm’s Management Committee and Executive Committee, Cohen’s transition offers a unique blend of legal counsel and commercial experience. Shwachman noted that Cohen’s history of managing the liability side of a large alternative asset management platform provides him with a practical understanding of the tax, regulatory, and accounting considerations that influence complex deals.
“He has deep relationships across the market and understands the financing, capital, ratings, accounting, tax and regulatory considerations that drive complex transactions for these clients,” Shwachman said.
Nancy Chung, managing partner of Sidley’s New York office and a member of the firm’s Management Committee, emphasized that Cohen’s versatility across various asset classes allows him to advise on diverse funding structures without being confined to a single product sector. His addition is expected to facilitate further collaboration across the firm’s transactional practices.
Growth Trends in Global Finance
The appointment of Cohen follows a significant period of recruitment for the firm. Sidley has added more than 40 Global Finance partners through lateral hires and internal promotions over the last three years. This hiring wave includes professionals across key financial hubs, including Washington, D.C., Chicago, London, San Diego, and Century City.
The Global Finance group, which consists of more than 200 lawyers, functions as a core component of the firm’s service offerings. Sidley, a global law firm with approximately 2,300 lawyers, has maintained a presence in the market for 160 years. The firm continues to focus on providing legal strategies for clients handling restructuring, crisis management, investigation, regulatory, and litigation matters.
For clients, the arrival of a partner with experience in NAV loans, structured repo facilities, and Rule 144A formats signals a continued emphasis on high-value, complex financing. Cohen’s role will involve supporting the firm’s private capital platform, addressing the needs of clients who operate within the increasingly intricate market for commercial and consumer assets.
