Mayer Brown has strengthened its New York presence by welcoming Michelle Herman as a new partner in its Global Trade Finance practice. The experienced structured finance lawyer joins the firm from Jones Day, bringing extensive expertise in domestic and cross-border financing transactions. Her appointment marks a strategic step in Mayer Brown’s efforts to expand its capabilities and deliver innovative financial solutions to clients worldwide.
Herman has built a strong reputation for advising borrowers and lenders on complex financing arrangements across multiple asset classes. Her experience includes trade receivables, commercial loans, installment sales contracts, automobile and equipment loans, leases, trademarks, natural gas assets, and other structured finance products. This broad knowledge positions her to help clients navigate challenging financial transactions and develop practical strategies that support their business goals.
Her arrival also reflects the growing demand for sophisticated financing solutions, particularly in securitizations and transactions involving trade receivables and other financial assets. By adding Herman to its team, Mayer Brown aims to strengthen its ability to serve businesses operating across domestic and international markets.
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Michelle Herman Brings Extensive Structured Finance Experience
Herman’s professional background covers a wide range of structured finance matters, with particular expertise in trade receivables securitizations. These transactions allow businesses to convert future payments owed by customers into immediate funding, helping them improve cash flow and manage working capital more effectively.
Such arrangements often involve complex legal, commercial, accounting, and bankruptcy considerations. Companies and financial institutions need experienced legal advisers who can identify potential risks, structure transactions efficiently, and protect their interests throughout the financing process.
Herman’s experience enables her to address these challenges with a practical, business-focused approach. She understands how different legal and commercial factors can affect financing structures and works to develop solutions that align with clients’ financial objectives.
Her expertise in both domestic and cross-border transactions is particularly valuable for companies conducting business across multiple jurisdictions. International financing arrangements can involve different legal systems, regulatory requirements, and commercial practices. Experienced legal guidance helps lenders and borrowers manage these complexities while pursuing their business priorities.
Through her work, Herman has developed the skills needed to support sophisticated financing transactions across a diverse range of industries. Her addition is expected to enhance Mayer Brown’s ability to deliver tailored advice to clients seeking reliable and effective financing structures.
Mayer Brown Expands Its Global Trade Finance Capabilities
Mayer Brown’s decision to bring Herman on board reflects its continued commitment to strengthening its Global Trade Finance practice. The firm has established a strong position in this area, advising clients on complex financing transactions involving trade receivables and other assets.
Zachary Carrier, a partner in Mayer Brown’s Global Trade Finance practice, highlighted Herman’s experience and longstanding professional relationship with the team. He explained that the firm’s lawyers had worked opposite her on numerous trade-related financing transactions for more than a decade.
That professional experience gave the team a clear understanding of her technical knowledge, commercial judgment, and ability to handle sophisticated transactions. Carrier emphasized that these qualities make her a valuable addition, particularly as clients increasingly seek expert guidance on securitizations and related financing arrangements.
He also noted that Herman’s experience would help the firm respond to rising client demand for advanced financing solutions. Her knowledge of structured finance is expected to support the team’s efforts to deliver effective legal services and innovative advice.
The appointment demonstrates how established professional relationships can contribute to strategic recruitment. By bringing in a lawyer whose abilities the team already understands, Mayer Brown strengthens its practice with experience that directly supports its clients’ needs.
Leadership Welcomes Herman to the Firm
Massimo Capretta, leader of Mayer Brown’s Global Trade Finance practice, also welcomed Herman’s appointment. He described her as an important addition to the firm’s global trade finance offering and emphasized the role she will play in expanding its capacity to serve key clients around the world.
His comments highlight the importance of maintaining a strong team of experienced lawyers who can address the evolving needs of businesses and financial institutions. As financing transactions become more sophisticated, firms must continue developing their expertise and expanding their ability to support clients across different markets.
Herman’s appointment aligns with this objective by adding specialized knowledge in trade receivables securitizations and other structured finance transactions. Her experience can help Mayer Brown deepen existing client relationships while pursuing opportunities to serve new businesses and financial institutions.
The move also strengthens the firm’s New York operations, providing clients with access to additional legal expertise in one of the world’s major financial centers.
Why Trade Receivables Securitization Matters
Trade receivables securitization plays an important role in modern corporate finance. Businesses frequently sell products or provide services on credit, meaning they must wait for customers to pay their invoices. Although these receivables represent future income, delayed payments can create cash-flow challenges.
Securitization offers a way to unlock the value of these outstanding payments. Through a structured transaction, a business can use eligible receivables to obtain financing, helping it access funds without relying exclusively on traditional borrowing arrangements.
However, these transactions require careful planning. Lawyers must consider how the assets are transferred, how the financing is structured, and what could happen if a borrower or another party experiences financial difficulties. Accounting treatment and commercial requirements can also influence the transaction’s design.
Herman’s experience in these areas gives Mayer Brown additional resources to help clients evaluate financing options and manage associated risks. Her practical understanding of legal and business considerations can be especially valuable when transactions involve multiple parties, different asset classes, or cross-border operations.
As companies continue exploring alternative financing methods, demand for lawyers with specialized securitization knowledge may create further opportunities for established trade finance practices.
Herman Sees New Opportunities at Mayer Brown
Herman expressed enthusiasm about joining Mayer Brown, describing its structured finance practice as a market leader that she has respected and admired for many years. Her previous experience working opposite the firm gave her insight into its capabilities and professional standing.
She explained that joining Mayer Brown would provide the resources and platform needed to continue serving existing clients while expanding the range of transactions and businesses she can support.
Maintaining established client relationships is an important consideration when experienced lawyers move between firms. Clients often value continuity, familiarity, and access to trusted legal advisers who understand their commercial objectives. Herman’s move offers an opportunity to build on those relationships while benefiting from Mayer Brown’s broader international platform.
Her appointment may also create opportunities to work with new clients seeking advice on structured finance, trade receivables, and cross-border financing arrangements. By combining her experience with the firm’s established resources, she can help address a wider range of financing needs.
Mayer Brown Continues Investing in Legal Talent
Allison Aviki, managing partner of Mayer Brown’s New York office, welcomed Herman and emphasized the firm’s commitment to attracting exceptional legal talent. She explained that Mayer Brown continues investing in strategic areas of its business while creating opportunities for lawyers to develop successful practices.
This approach reflects the competitive nature of the legal services market. Law firms must attract experienced professionals who offer specialized knowledge, strong client relationships, and the ability to manage complex legal matters. Strategic recruitment helps firms maintain their expertise and respond to changing client expectations.
Herman’s arrival supports these priorities by strengthening a practice focused on sophisticated financing transactions. Her background and experience complement Mayer Brown’s existing capabilities, while her presence in New York reinforces the firm’s commitment to serving clients in key financial markets.
The appointment also highlights the importance of combining technical legal expertise with commercial understanding. Clients increasingly need advisers who can explain complex financing structures clearly, identify practical solutions, and support their long-term business objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is Michelle Herman?
Michelle Herman is an experienced structured finance lawyer who joined Mayer Brown as a partner in its New York Global Trade Finance practice.
Which law firm did Michelle Herman join from?
Michelle Herman joined Mayer Brown from Jones Day, bringing extensive experience in structured finance and domestic and cross-border financing transactions.
What position does Michelle Herman hold at Mayer Brown?
She serves as a partner in Mayer Brown’s Global Trade Finance practice in New York.
What is Michelle Herman’s area of expertise?
Herman specializes in structured finance, particularly trade receivables securitizations and complex financing transactions involving various asset classes.
What types of financing transactions has Michelle Herman handled?
Her experience includes trade receivables, commercial loans, installment sales contracts, automobile and equipment loans and leases, trademarks, natural gas assets, and other structured finance products.
Why did Mayer Brown hire Michelle Herman?
Mayer Brown hired Herman to strengthen its structured finance capabilities, expand its Global Trade Finance practice, and meet growing client demand for sophisticated financing solutions.
What is trade receivables securitization?
Trade receivables securitization is a financing method that allows businesses to use eligible customer payments owed to them to obtain funding and improve cash flow.
Conclusion
Mayer Brown’s appointment of Michelle Herman as a partner in its New York Global Trade Finance practice marks a significant step in strengthening its structured finance capabilities. Her extensive experience in trade receivables securitizations, cross-border financing, and complex financial transactions will help the firm meet evolving client needs. By welcoming experienced legal talent and expanding its expertise, Mayer Brown reinforces its commitment to delivering innovative financing solutions and building stronger client relationships across global markets.