09 Jul 2026
Sidley Strengthens Global Finance and Tax Practices with Five Partners in New York and Washington, D.C.
"Sidley Austin adds Lee Askenazi, Alistair Dunlop, Robert Hagan and Rebecca O’Brien to its Global Finance practice and James Gouwar to its Tax practice, bolstering securitization, structured finance and tax capabilities."
Lee Askenazi, Alistair Dunlop, Robert Hagan and Rebecca O’Brien have joined Sidley’s Global Finance practice as partners from Clifford Chance. The four have extensive experience in structured capital markets and structured finance, advising on a broad range of securitization and asset-backed financing transactions and representing sponsors, issuers, investors, asset managers, arrangers, sellers, purchasers and other market participants in connection with complex structured products, including asset-backed securities, residential mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan and fund obligations, rated note feeders and other securitization vehicles. Their work spans warehouse and other secured financing facilities, new issuances, refinancings, restructurings and related financing transactions across various asset classes, and includes advising on structuring, execution and financing in both U.S. and international markets. All four join from Clifford Chance. Mr. Askenazi previously served as co-chair of Clifford Chance’s U.S. Global Financial Markets practice and is ranked Band 1 in Chambers USA 2026 for Capital Markets: Securitization: RMBS.
James Gouwar has joined Sidley’s Tax practice as a partner from Clifford Chance in the New York office. His practice concentrates on the tax aspects of structured finance transactions, including mortgage- and asset-backed transactions, collateralized loan and debt obligations (cash and synthetic), and real estate mortgage investment conduits. He has been involved in the development of innovative securitization structures and has worked across a broad range of financial assets. Mr. Gouwar is a Band 1 Chambers USA 2026-ranked lawyer in Capital Markets: Securitization: Tax and also has experience with private equity funds, hedge funds, regulated investment companies and other pooled vehicles.