Commercial and Industrial Lending

Overview

The lawyers in Robinson+Cole's Finance Group assist clients nationwide with commercial and industrial “C&I” lending. We represent lenders and borrowers in a variety of highly sophisticated secured and unsecured financing transactions, including transactions secured by, or based on, all manner of real estate and personal property. We work with banks and their special finance and merchant banking affiliates as well as with insurance companies, venture and opportunity funds, financial subsidiaries of major industrial corporations, and other financial intermediaries.

Our Commercial and Industrial Lending Team works with clients in a broad range of industries, such as:

  • health care
  • waste management
  • retail
  • broadcast and cable television
  • cellular telephone and radio
  • energy
  • manufacturing
  • precious metals
  • transportation 

We are familiar with the particular financing needs of these industries as well as with specialized collateral such as securities, real estate, and vessels and aircraft.

Our Services

Our lawyers represent banks, insurance companies, private equity funds, and other financial services providers in connection with the following types of commercial and industrial lending transactions:

  • secured and unsecured revolving credit, line of credit and term loan single and multiple lender credit facilities, including facilities with multirate and/or multicurrency options, letter of credit options, interest rate swaps, caps and collar and currency swaps
  • secured and unsecured general corporate loans and structured asset-based financings, project finance conventional loans, and construction loans
  • complex mezzanine financing
  • private placement of debt, equity, and convertible securities
  • leveraged acquisition financings and bridge loans
  • multi-tiered subordinated debt financings
  • precious metal consignments and precious metal inventory financing 

Our Team

Lawyers in our Finance Group apply their experience in corporate finance and institutional lending to each transaction. We collaborate closely with other lawyers in the firm to provide full-service solutions for acquisition financings or financings involving securities (federal and state), environmental, ERISA, tax, intellectual property and/or real estate issues. To minimize insolvency risks, our group also works closely with our business workouts, bankruptcy, and creditors' rights practitioners to advise our clients on enforcement mechanisms, collateral realization, and structuring transactions. 

    • Experience
      • Represented lenders in connection with credit facilities extended to Indian tribal nations involving a variety of sovereign immunity and related issues.
      • Represented lenders in a variety of transactions involving financial assistance or guarantees from the Connecticut Development Authority and/or the Connecticut Department of Economic Development.
      • Represented lenders providing pre- and post-export financing under loan guaranty and export insurance programs offered by the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
      • Represented lender in construction to mini-permanent loan of corporate offices and distribution center involving United States Department of Agriculture loan guaranty.
      • Represented lender in low-income housing tax credit transaction with multiple funding sources and represented same lender in acquisition of the tax credits.
      • Represented lender in leasehold mortgage construction to permanent loan for large apartment complex in velocity zone.
      • Represented a large North American producer of specialty value-added paperboard products in U.S. and Canadian public offerings and private placements.
      • Represented Indian tribal nation as special counsel and bond counsel in connection with structuring, negotiating, documenting, and consummating an ongoing series of debt financings, involving a variety of sovereign immunity and related issues, including a $350 million bank facility, a $225 million tax-exempt commercial paper program, a $75 million senior note issue, and over $900 million in special revenue bonds.
      • Represented lender in a series of secured credit facilities involving revolving loans, term loans and mortgage loans as well as related interest rate protection arrangements to an integrated group of affiliate corporations operating nationwide.
      • Represented borrower in conduit loan transaction secured by multiparcel apartment complexes.
      • Represented multiple borrower parties in acquisition of and conduit financing for shopping center.
      • Represented a lender in a series of secured credit facilities involving revolving loans, term loans and mortgage loans, as well as related interest rate protection arrangements, to an integrated group of affiliate corporations operating retail furniture outlets in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Connecticut.
      • Represented agent and lenders in a $65 million syndicated credit facility to an operator of 22 health care facilities located in Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.
      • Represented lenders in a variety of transactions involving letters of credit or other credit enhancements in support of the issuance of tax exempt revenue bonds, including revenue bonds issued by the public authority issuing bonds to tax exempt borrowers.
      • Represented administrative agent and syndicate of lenders in connection with $200 million revolving and term-loan facility to fund a "going private" transaction, a dissenting shareholder reserve and working capital needs, secured by real property located throughout the United States and a blanket lien on all other assets.

      • Represented three separate lenders in the financing of the acquisition by five separate buyers’ groups of the Connecticut operations of a NYSE listed waste hauling and management corporation. The transaction required the simultaneous closing of five separate loan facilities to five independent and unrelated groups of buyers in order to fund the acquisition transaction which closed on a parallel course.
      • Drafted new insurance reinvestment fund tax legislation in Connecticut and represented a group of venture capital partnerships in establishing an insurance reinvestment fund approved by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development to channel investments by insurance companies into start-up or emerging businesses in Connecticut. These types of funds exist in some other states and are commonly referred to as Capco Funds.

      • Representation of U.S. subsidiary concerning its accession to its parent corporation’s restructured global credit facilities.
      • Represented lender in construction loan of assisted living, congregant care and condominiums on former estate in premier Boston suburban location.
      • Represented lender in $1.25 million multibank syndicated financing with major U.S. insurance company.
      • Represented lenders in a variety of transactions lending to sports franchises, including the New England Patriots, the Hartford Whalers and the Hartford Hellcats.
      • Represented lender in a multimillion dollar financing of a major restaurant franchise syndicate.
      • Represented an institutional lender providing a $22 million construction loan to an affiliated group of borrowers to fund the construction costs associated with the design, procurement, and installation of 26 MW commercial rooftop solar array projects for two Fortune 50 companies to be located on 60 commercial buildings in four states and secured by all assets of the borrowers. We advised on respective rights under all contracts with equipment procurement contractors (EPCs), power purchase agreements, renewable energy certificates, agreements relating to federal investment tax credits, interconnection agreements, and maintenance agreements. The contemplated refinancing of this transaction involved the placement of permanent senior loan financing from an institutional lender, a tax credit equity investment (in the form of a "partnership flip," which involved the creation of special purpose entities) from an institutional investor, and the associated intercreditor, interparty, and other related third-party issues.

      • Represented a leading international cruise line in negotiation of co-branded credit card program relationship, including associated privacy, data security, and other matters.

      • Represented bank in connection with an $80 million revolving credit facility to one of the world’s leading manufacturers and marketers of polished diamonds. 

      • Represented a lender in complex construction-to permanent term loan facilities provided to a borrower to fund the construction costs associated with the design, procurement, and installation of a 10.3 MW gas-fired combined co-generation and ice production facility in Staten Island, New York.

      • Represented the agent bank and the lenders in an amendment to an existing $350 million syndicated revolving loan credit facility to national refrigerated, flatbed, tanker, and intermodal carriers headquartered in Springfield, Missouri.

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    • News
      • August 15, 2019

        57 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Listed in The Best Lawyers in America© 2020

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      • October 18, 2018

        51 Robinson+Cole Lawyers Recognized by Super Lawyers®

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      • November 1, 2017

        Robinson+Cole Receives 37 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and 3 National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Law Firms Survey

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      • November 1, 2016

        Robinson+Cole Receives 34 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and 3 National Rankings in Latest U.S. News – Best Law Firms Survey

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      • February 19, 2014

        Mandy Eckhoff Selected as One of Boston's Future Leaders

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      • December 23, 2013

        Norman Roos Speaks at Mortgage Servicing Compliance Forum

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      • December 4, 2013

        Norman Roos Writes Article for Hartford Courant

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      • November 18, 2013

        Michael Maglio Speaks at CBA Meeting

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      • November 1, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Receives 34 First-Tier Metropolitan Rankings and Three National Rankings in U.S. News – Best Lawyers Survey

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      • October 21, 2013

        Super Lawyers® Names 61 Robinson & Cole Attorneys to 2013 List

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      • October 8, 2013

        Norman Roos Moderates CMBA Legislative Update Seminar

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      • August 27, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Lawyers Provide Commentary in Law360

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      • August 16, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

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      • March 21, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Selected for Top Women Attorneys in Massachusetts

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      • February 28, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Lawyer Co-Authors Connecticut Chapter of The Law of Guaranties Guide

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      • February 20, 2013

        Norman Roos Authors Article in the Hartford Courant

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      • February 1, 2013

        Norman Roos Moderates and Speaks at The New England Mortgage Expo

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      • January 22, 2013

        Norman Roos Quoted in Connecticut Post

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      • January 18, 2013

        Robinson & Cole Announces 2013 Counsel Promotions

      • December 4, 2012

        Norm Roos Delivers Presentation on Electronic Recording and Mortgage Licensing

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      • October 18, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Norman Roos Receives Inaugural NEMBC Hall of Fame Award

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      • September 14, 2012

        Ten Robinson & Cole Attorneys Selected as “Lawyers of the Year”

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      • September 12, 2012

        Norman Roos Talks with the Commercial Record About New Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Mortgage Disclosure Rules

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      • August 28, 2012

        Robinson & Cole Receives Top Listing in Connecticut Attorney Count in Best Lawyers National Peer Review Survey

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      • July 19, 2012

        Attorneys Advise Commercial Lenders on What They Need to Know

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      • April 30, 2012

        Finance Partner’s Article on SAFE Act and Truth in Lending Act Published in Hartford Courant

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      • April 9, 2012

        CFPB Issues Bulletin on Application of Compensation Rules to "Qualified Plans" - Payments to Qualified Plans Permitted

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      • February 8, 2012

        Norm Roos Presents Webinar on What Lenders Need to Know About Regulatory Compliance

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      • November 17, 2011

        Finance Partner Moderates at Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association Legislative Update Seminar

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      • November 4, 2011

        Bankers Want Feds to Lay Off is the Message at Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association Forum

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      • October 28, 2011

        Finance Attorneys Discuss Dodd–Frank and SAFE Acts at Affordable Housing Conference

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      • January 11, 2011

        Robinson & Cole Elects New Partners

      • December 17, 2010

        Attorneys Reelected to Connecticut Chapter Board

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      • December 15, 2010

        A Look at New Regulations for Loan Originator Compensation

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      • November 8, 2010

        Program Examines Impact of the Dodd Frank Act on Non-financial Businesses

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      • November 2, 2010

        Finance Partner Selected to Serve on Connecticut Law Revision Commission Advisory Committee

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      • October 28, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Managing Partner Joins Board of Connecticut Business & Industry Association

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      • October 21, 2010

        Mortgage Banking Lawyer Comments on Proposed Freeze on Foreclosures in State Courts

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      • October 13, 2010

        Timeshare Financing Transactions Will Not Bear Full Brunt of Dodd-Frank Act

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      • August 5, 2010

        Norman H. Roos and James R. Kinyon Present on Mortgage Lending Laws

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      • June 30, 2010

        Patrick Birney Leads Off Bankruptcy Law360 coverage of Schwab v. Reilly

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      • May 11, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks on Bankruptcy Panel During Business Law Program

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      • April 23, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Speaks on Forbearance Agreements at Real Estate Finance Association Program

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      • March 30, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorney Quoted in The Commercial Record on Bank Efforts to Raise Cash

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      • February 2, 2010

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Elected to Board of Directors of Turnaround Management Association’s Connecticut Chapter

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      • September 25, 2009

        Robinson & Cole Attorneys Address Legislative Developments Before the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association

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    • Publications + Presentations
    • "It Is Time For the Mortgage Industry and Its Regulators to Move On and Leave the Crash Behind," published in Hartford Courant, authored by Norman H. Roos, featured in the HomeFinder supplement (5/13/2016)
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      "2014 Q1 Business Transactions Deal Report" (5/22/2014)

      "Financial Institutions and Social Media: Staying Current and Staying Compliant" (01/24/2014)

      "Delaware Bankruptcy Court Limits Credit Bid to Loan Buyer’s Purchase Price" (01/22/2014)

      "Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association's Legislative Update Seminar," presented by Norman H. Roos, moderator (10/24/2012)

      "New Regulations Put a Crimp in Mortgage Industry," published in The Hartford Courant, authored by Norman H. Roos (4/13/2012)

      "The Changing Regulatory Environment," at Housing 2011, the annual conference of the Connecticut Housing Coalition, presented by Norman H. Roos (10/19/2011)

      "Loan Originator Compensation – New Regulation Z Rules," at Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association Meeting at Webster Bank in New Britain, Connecticut, co-presented by Norman H. Roos and Catherine Moreton Gray; attorneys from Bankers Advisory, Inc., and Webster Bank (12/7/2010)

      "Financial Reform Act Expands SEC's Enforcement Powers and Liability for Securities Violations" (08/17/2010)

      "Dodd-Frank Financial Reform Act Legal Update" (08/12/2010)

      "NYSE Rule Prohibits Discretionary Broker Voting on Uncontested Director Elections" (04/23/2010)

      "New Federal Guidance for Lenders Supports Workouts over Foreclosures" (12/30/2009)

      "Letters of Credit - How a Seller Can Ensure Payment Even in a Bad Economy" (04/01/2009)

      "2008 Connecticut Laws Enable Homeowners to Obtain Mediation in Foreclosures: Some Basic Information Concerning the Mediation Process," published in Hartford Courant, authored by Norman H. Roos, Real Estate Supplement (12/2008)

      "Business Litigation Group Education Series" (09/19/2008)

      "Anticipated Legislative Changes in the Mortgage Industry and Possible Relief to Borrowers," published in The First-Time Home Buyer Magazine, authored by Norman H. Roos (6/2008)

      "Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association's Legislative Update Seminar," presented by Norman H. Roos, moderator (10/26/2011)

      "Ten Things Commercial Lenders Should Know About Regulatory Compliance," co-authored by Norman H. Roos and Travis R. Searles, published in Connecticut Banking magazine (Second Quarter 2012)

      "Pending 2009 Connecticut Legislative Proposals Affecting the Residential Mortgage Lending Industry,," at the Connecticut Mortgage Bankers Association's Compliance and Legislative Forum in New Britain, Connecticut

Our Team

Chair

Members