Derivatives

Our derivatives lawyers have extensive experience in the structuring and negotiation of derivatives across asset classes, including fixed income, credit, foreign exchange, total return, commodity and energy.

We regularly draft and negotiate master agreements, standard and bespoke credit support agreements, complex transaction confirmations and ancillary documentation in connection with derivatives transactions. In addition, we represent clients in the negotiation of clearing arrangements for swaps and futures.

We represent financial institutions, corporations, municipalities and other market participants in connection with all their derivatives needs. In addition to advising on contemplated transactions, we review existing derivatives contracts and relationships and advise on the restructuring of derivatives portfolios, as well as on the early termination, re-hedging and reallocation of transactions with distressed or defaulted counterparties. We also represent market participants in mediations and litigation resulting from swap termination and valuation disputes.

Since the onset of the financial crisis, we regularly advise both dealer and end-user clients on the implications of financial reform efforts, including the registration, clearing, exchange trading, margin, business conduct, reporting and recordkeeping requirements of the Dodd-Frank Act.

Our derivatives team members are frequent presenters at industry conferences and have published numerous articles on derivatives, including articles relating to the impact of rating agency derivatives criteria for structured finance transactions and the implications of various regulatory efforts. We also publish for our clients a newsletter, Derivatives in Review, which periodically highlights important legal, regulatory and other developments in the area of derivatives.