Brian Coughlan Joins McGuireWoods’ Debt Finance Practice, Continuing San Francisco Office Expansion

April 17, 2017

Brian Coughlan has joined McGuireWoods’ nationally recognized debt finance practice as a partner, continuing the firm’s San Francisco expansion and broadening its capabilities serving financial institutions and FinTech companies.

Leading financial institutions, hedge funds and finance companies turn to Coughlan for representation in complex transactions including syndicated and single-bank loans, credit enhancement and structured financings. He spearheads domestic financings, including deals in which foreign collateral supports domestic credit facilities.  

With a decade of experience, Coughlan’s practice spans industries, including the rapidly growing FinTech sector. He represents lenders to FinTech companies and advises FinTech clients regarding financing structures. In addition, Coughlan represents financial institutions in credit restructurings, advises hedge funds in general corporate matters and serves as a business advisor to portfolio companies.

Coughlan joins McGuireWoods from the San Francisco office of Chapman and Cutler, following the addition of debt finance partners Peter Szurley, Gregory Clore and Jeffrey Browning and restructuring partner Todd Dressel, who arrived at the firm from Chapman last month. The number of lawyers in McGuireWoods’ San Francisco office has grown to 22 since it opened in March 2016.

“We look forward to Brian playing a key role in the growth of our West Coast practice, and his impressive deal experience will add tremendous value for our financial institution clients worldwide,” said Raj Natarajan, chair of McGuireWoods’ Debt Finance Department.

“Brian’s work with traditional financial institutions and cutting-edge FinTech companies enhances the considerable capabilities of our team in San Francisco,” said David Powell, managing partner of the San Francisco office.

“McGuireWoods has one of the nation’s top debt finance practices, and its recent expansions in Los Angeles and San Francisco only make it stronger,” Coughlan said. “I am delighted to rejoin Peter, Greg, Jeff and Todd and be part of the great team the firm is building in the Bay Area.”

Coughlan joins a McGuireWoods practice that consistently ranks among the top 10 legal advisors for U.S. syndicated debt financings. The firm placed fifth in deal count and seventh in dollar volume in Thomson Reuters Loan Pricing Corp.’s 2016 U.S. Lender Legal Advisor rankings. U.S. News – Best Lawyers’ Best Law Firms also recognized McGuireWoods as the 2017 “Law Firm of the Year” for banking and finance law.