White & Case expanded its Global Debt Finance Practice with the addition of Jessica Ball and Jessica Shearer as partners in Boston.
"Investing further in our direct lending capabilities is crucial to our debt finance business as client demand for expertise in the private credit sector continues apace," said Eric Leicht, Head of White & Case's Global Debt Finance Practice. "These partners bring years of experience on private debt transactions. Their addition in Boston, following the recent arrival of Vincenzo Lucibello, gives us critical mass in the city and adds another important hub in our growing private credit platform in New York, Chicago, Miami and Los Angeles."
Ball and Shearer advise private credit providers, including senior lenders, business development companies, mezzanine funds, small business investment company funds, insurance companies and sovereign wealth funds, on a wide range of financing structures across a variety of industries. They have deep experience in unitranche facilities, first-lien and second-lien transactions, secured and unsecured mezzanine financings and holdco and debtor-in possession financings.
"These partners offer deep experience in the private credit and direct lending sector, and their background advising on a broad range of financing structures is a perfect match for our practice," said Eliza McDougall, White & Case’s Regional Section Head of Americas Banking. "Their arrival comes at a time when the private debt markets are placing a premium on the highest quality of financing advice. Bringing these partners on board further strengthens our market-leading capabilities, while supporting the continued growth of our practice."
Ball and Shearer's arrival continues the expansion of White & Case’s private credit and direct lending capabilities following the recent additions of partners Vincenzo Lucibello, who joined the Firm’s Boston office earlier in March 2022, and Brad Laken, who joined the Firm's Chicago office in November 2021.
Ball and Shearer join White & Case from Proskauer Rose.