Focused on Financing Deals Across California and Beyond

Archer Norris has handled countless financial transactions statewide and in other parts of the country involving loans, assets and investments worth billions of dollars. We have particular practice strength in workouts and related insolvency matters. 

From strategically positioning the sale of a large mortgage brokerage into a growth opportunity for our client, to steering major financing projects for the YMCA of East Bay and the Madera County government center, Archer Norris counsels clients in:

• Asset-backed financing
• Asset sales
• Banking relationships
• Bankruptcy
• Creditors’ committee representation
• Debt collection including secured debt
• Distressed properties
• Documentation of loans and amendments
• Employee defalcation
• Foreclosure alternatives
• Loan negotiation
• Loss avoidance
• Restructurings
• Project financing
• Public financing
• Venture lending and leasing

As counselors to both borrowers and lenders, we’ve developed a dual perspective which promotes innovation, practicality and sound deals that preserve ongoing working relationships.

Funding Projects and Closing Deals Shaping the State

Collectively, our clients, many with a national presence, are a definitive presence throughout California - global financial services leaders, independent community banks, large regional and national residential and commercial developers. Archer Norris represents a range of borrowing and lending clients including:

• National and regional financial institutions
• Banks
• Credit and finance companies
• Mortgage lenders
• Real estate developers
• Investors
• Public agencies
• Healthcare districts
• Public/private partnership investments in infrastructure

Skilled at counseling through all stages of financing, Archer Norris attorneys’ experience in real estate, environmental concerns, healthcare, construction, insurance and public agencies contributes to our ability to solve problems and help deals close on time.

Financial Services Transactions

Bond and Project Finance

• YMCA of the East Bay Bond Project - $9.96 million California Statewide Communities Development Authority Revenue Bonds. In this conduit financing, the bonds were issued for the purpose of financing and refinancing the acquisition, design, construction and equipping of certain community facilities to be owned and operated by YMCA. Payable solely from and secured by a pledge of revenues, the bonds were enhanced by a Letter of Credit.
• Healthcare District Financing - $26 million Certificates of Participation for the purpose of providing the West Contra Costa Healthcare District funds to finance working capital expenses. The COPs were secured by proceeds of the parcel tax passed in a special election by the District electorate.
• Affordable Housing - $6.8 million City of Martinez Multifamily Mortgage Revenue Refunding Bonds and $3.399 million Variable Rate Demand Taxable Multifamily Housing Revenue. This financing for an affordable housing project involved the defeasement of the prior series of bonds, backed by a GNMA mortgage security, with the proceeds of these refunding bonds issued by the City of Martinez for Muirwood Square Investors.
• Government Center Project - $22.45 million County of Madera 2005 Certificates of Participation. These were issued to finance a portion of the cost of the construction of a new government center and related parking structure and to purchase a surety bond for deposit in a reserve fund for the lease payments. The COPs were guaranteed under a financial guaranty insurance policy issued by Ambac Assurance Corporation.
• Solid Waste Project Finance - $25.9 million CPCFA Variable Rate Demand Solid Waste Disposal Revenue Bonds for California Waste Solutions, Inc. Project. The deal was enhanced by an irrevocable direct pay Letter of Credit issued by East-West Bank, with the letter of credit enhanced by an irrevocable Confirming Letter of Credit issued by California State Teachers’ Retirement System. The proceeds of the sale of the bonds were loaned by the CPCFA to California Waste Solutions to be used to acquire, construct, renovate and equip certain solid waste disposal facilities located in Oakland and San Jose.

Leases, Loans and Loan Restructuring

• Loan Restructuring - During the course of high-demand litigation, we guided our client, a construction lender, in a strategic move. We helped to quickly close its construction loan and extend and sell the permanent loan prior to the successful conclusion of the remaining litigation.

Major Sales and Acquisitions

• Mortgage Bank Asset Sale - Coordinated asset sale of a large mortgage bank/brokerage to a public corporation for cash and securities that positioned the sellers for significant market growth. This transaction necessitated a thorough understanding of the mortgage and brokerage business and careful attention to the incentive structure of the agreement.
• Family-Owned Business Sale - Represented the owners of a family-held regional solid waste company in a transaction exceeding $100 million. The negotiations culminated in the sale of the company to a publicly-traded corporation. Among our myriad responsibilities were determining the terms of sale, selection of an investment banker and guiding the bidding process.

Transactional Counsel

• Transactional Counsel - Managed numerous multimillion-dollar transactions, including equipment leases, secured and unsecured loans and preferred stock investments. Related counsel includes negotiating sales and acquisitions, public approvals, workouts, distressed property deals and restructurings.

Fast Facts

• Archer Norris has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Bay Area by the San Francisco Business Times.
• More than 90 attorneys in four California offices.
• Leading California law firm with a focus on complex litigation and business transactions.