Michael Vernace

As a Partner in the Firm’s Banking and Credit Department, Mike’s practice focuses on syndicated finance and other commercial lending transactions, including acquisition, leveraged, investment-grade, asset-based, corporate, receivables, net asset value and “hybrid” financings. Mike also represents leading leverage buyout sponsors and their portfolio companies in connection with a variety of recapitalizations and refinancings.

Mike’s clients have included AEA Investors, Blackstone/GSO, Citibank, Community Health Systems, Credit Karma, JPMorgan, First Reserve, Lightyear, KKR, New Mountain, Seagate Technology, SiriusXM and Velocity Commercial Capital, among others.

Selected examples of Mike’s work include advising:

• CSL Limited in the committed debt financing related to its acquisition of Vifor Pharma Ltd for US$11.7 billion
• The E.W. Scripps Company in the committed debt financing related to its acquisition of ION Media for $2.65 billion
• First Reserve in multiple financings, including acquisition financing for CHA Companies, Dresser NGS, Eagle Infrastructure, The Goldfield Corporation and LineStar Integrity Services, and including restructuring and Chapter 11 financing for Dixie Electric and TNT Crane & Rigging
• JPMorgan in Dominion Energy’s $6 billion “sustainability linked” revolving credit facility
• JPMorgan in General Electric’s $10 billion revolving credit facility
• Mizuho in Avangrid’s $4 billion “sustainability linked” revolving credit facility
• SiriusXM in its $1.75 billion revolving credit facility 
• SMBC in Dominion Energy’s $900 million novel “environmental sustainability or social justice” use of proceeds credit facility
• TD Bank in SBA Communications’ $1.5 billion “sustainability linked” revolving credit facility
• Various sponsors’ portfolio companies and debt funds in their bankruptcy-remote financings

Mike received his J.D. from Duke University and a B.S.B.A., summa cum laude, from Boston University. He is admitted in New York and California.