Private Credit
Credit is in our DNA. We work with the most active private credit investors in the market—including half of Private Debt Investor’s Top 100 globally—structuring novel private debt investments.
As the market for direct lending has exploded in size and sophistication, Akin’s global private credit team has helped many of the most sophisticated credit investors to build their position in the market from the ground up.
We structure novel investments in companies seeking flexible financing and in unconventional and opportunistic financings. These include front-end investments in companies with limited access to syndicated bank finance markets, middle market and large-cap direct lending transactions to fund acquisitions or working capital needs, and funding growth capital transactions for companies in emerging sectors.
With decades of experience working with many of the credit world’s pioneering investors, Akin’s platform is designed to provide a one-stop shop to the private credit markets. Our private credit practice is ranked by Chambers USA and includes several individually Chambers-ranked practitioners in the finance sector.
Our private credit team includes tax, health care, international trade, labor, real estate and fund structuring lawyers who work closely with credit investors and have an extensive understanding of the needs of those investors deploying capital in today’s fast-evolving financial markets.
Dedicated Private Credit Team
We have a dedicated team of private credit lawyers on the ground in key financial centers worldwide. Our lawyers advise on a broad range of leveraged loans, private debt products and structures, including:
- Secured and unsecured facilities
- Asset-based lending facilities
- Term Loan B facilities
- Mezzanine/second lien facilities
- Unitranche facilities
- High-yield issuances
- Holdco PIK facilities
- Back-levered facilities
- Subscription line and NAV facilities
- Warehouse facilities
- Aircraft finance
- Film finance
- Sports finance.
Private Credit Finance Representative Matters
- Represented Brightwood Capital Advisors, a middle market private credit firm, in leading a $300 million senior secured credit facility financing for Giving Home Health Care.
- Represented Francisco Partners in numerous private credit transactions, including in the following:
- Its growth investment and funding for the combination of legendary sheet music publisher Hal Leonard and Muse Group, an industry leader in music content and creation.
- Refinancing for Zotec Partners, replacing its existing public facility with a new five-year term loan maturing in 2028.
- $250 million senior secured term loan facility to 8x8 Inc., a leading integrated cloud communications platform provider.
- $150 million growth financing to Zocdoc, the U.S.’s leading digital healthcare marketplace.
- $145 million financing to iboss, the leader in cloud delivered network security. This financing was co-led by Francisco.
- Advised HPS Investment Partners in connection with a multi-tranche first-in last-out term facility to Kobalt Music Group, one of the world’s largest music publishers. Kobalt’s portfolio includes a diverse range of artists, including Childish Gambino, Elvis Presley, Foo Fighters, Paul McCartney, Stevie Nicks and The Weeknd, among others.
- Represented Kennedy Lewis Investment Management in numerous private credit transactions, including in the following:
- $550 million senior secured term loan facility for VoltaGrid, an advanced energy management and generation company providing innovative electric power solutions.
- $175 million investment in advisory firm Sanctuary Wealth. The funding, structured as a convertible note, will be used to fuel Sanctuary Wealth’s M&A strategy and the organic growth of its partner firms, including advancing key priorities that will enhance the company's technology solutions and talent management initiatives.
- $120 million total debt and equity financing provided to Rapid Micro Biosystems Inc. (RPID) and subsequent proposed acquisition of the company. RPID is a life sciences technology company providing mission critical automation solutions to facilitate the efficient manufacturing and fast, safe release of health care products such as biologics, vaccines, cell and gene therapies, and sterile injectables.
- Represented Neuberger Berman in numerous private credit transactions, including in the following:
- $200 million senior secured term loan facility to Upgrade Inc., a fin-tech company that offers affordable credit to consumers though cards and personal loans.
- $200 million senior secured term loan facility to Mercury Financial Holdings LLC with Wilmington Trust, National Association acting as Agent.
- $75 million senior secured term credit facility provided to Prosper Marketplace Inc., an online peer-to-peer lending marketplace.
- Represented UBS O’Connor and its affiliated funds as lenders in connection with a senior secured term loan to finance Astara Capital Partners’ investment in Ally Building Solutions, a leading provider and installer of interior finishes and specialty products in the residential home market.
- Represented Vista Credit Partners in numerous private credit transactions, including in the following:
- Series E preferred equity investment in aPriori Technologies Inc., an industry-leading software company that provides businesses with innovative management and manufacturing simulation and analytics tools.
