Amir Shmueli Joins Ropes & Gray's Global Finance Practice.
Ropes & Gray has announced that Amir Shmueli has joined the firm as a partner in the global finance practice in New York. His addition significantly strengthens the firm’s already exceptional team of over 100 finance attorneys in the U.S. and Europe.
Building Strong Client Relationships and Expertise
Julie Jones, the chair of Ropes & Gray, praised Shmueli’s deep client relationships and outstanding track record, particularly in handling critical and innovative securitization matters. “Amir is an innovator who gets deals done. He will be an invaluable asset as we serve clients in this growing area,” she said.
Shmueli has extensive experience representing financial institutions, private equity sponsors, and issuers across a range of financing transactions.
He specializes in complex financing structures, including those backed by unique asset classes such as franchise royalties, film and television rights, and tax liens.
A Growing Area of Securitization
The esoteric asset-backed securitization sector is expanding rapidly, and Ropes & Gray’s reputation in this space continues to attract top talent like Shmueli.
Stefanie Birkmann, co-head of the firm’s global finance group, commented, “Our team’s reputation draws top talent like Amir to meet the increasing demand for these specialized financing structures.”
Leonard Klingbaum, co-head of the firm’s global finance group, added, “Amir has unique experience structuring and executing complex, innovative securitizations. We could not be happier to have him at Ropes & Gray.”
A Distinguished Team of Finance Lawyers
Amir Shmueli joins a distinguished team that includes partners Patricia Lynch and Christopher Poggi. These partners have led high-profile financing solutions, such as Frontier Communications’ $2.1 billion fiber securitization and Planet Fitness’s $1.275 billion securitized financing facility.
Ropes & Gray’s finance practice is consistently ranked among the top globally by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and U.S. News.
The firm’s lawyers are widely recognized for their work in asset-backed securities transactions and leading-edge finance facilities.
Shmueli’s Career Path and Expertise
Before joining Ropes & Gray, Amir Shmueli practiced in Israel. He had previously worked at Paul Weiss, where he gained significant experience handling complex financial transactions. His return to the U.S. strengthens the firm’s already formidable finance practice.
“I am thrilled to join the world-class finance team here at Ropes & Gray,” said Shmueli. “This firm pioneered securitization with Dunkin’ Brands’ original securitization in 2006 and continues to lead the way on innovative securitization transactions.
In addition to being incredible practitioners, the people here have true team spirit, and I can’t wait to get started.”
Supporting Growth in New York
Amir Shmueli’s addition aligns with Ropes & Gray's continued growth in New York, where the firm has seen expanding demand for its high-level financial counsel. Eva Carman, co-managing partner of Ropes & Gray’s New York office, said, “Amir is a perfect complement to the firm’s culture of collaboration.
The continued growth of our New York office reflects the firm’s dedication to providing top-notch counsel to our New York-based clients and beyond.”
Ropes & Gray is a global law firm providing comprehensive legal services to clients across a wide range of industries. With a reputation for excellence, the firm is known for its expertise in areas such as corporate law, private equity, M&A, intellectual property, litigation, regulatory matters, and finance.
Founded in 1865, Ropes & Gray has grown to include offices in major cities around the world, including New York, London, Hong Kong, and Boston.
The firm serves a diverse clientele, including multinational corporations, financial institutions, and government entities, helping them navigate complex legal challenges.
Ropes & Gray is also recognised for its commitment to pro bono work, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that its values extend beyond the courtroom. With a team of skilled professionals and a client-centric approach, Ropes & Gray remains a leader in the legal industry.
