Dechert Welcomes Lawton Camp to Enhance Global Finance Practice and Securitization Expertise

Dechert Strengthens Global Finance with New Partner Lawton Camp

Dechert LLP has recently announced the appointment of Lawton Camp as a structured finance and securitization partner in their New York office. His joining is poised to significantly bolster the firm’s global finance practice, particularly in asset finance and securitization.

Lawton Camp is a prominent figure in the fields of structured finance and securitization. His expertise encompasses a wide array of asset classes, including large equipment finance, aircraft finance, SBA loans, and infrastructure financing. The addition of Camp to the Dechert team comes at a strategic time, as demand in these areas continues to grow, necessitating enhanced capabilities and tailored solutions for clients.

David Forti, co-chair of Dechert, expressed his enthusiasm about Camp's arrival, highlighting the depth of experience he brings in structured finance. “Lawton is an outstanding addition to our global finance practice and to the firm. His extensive background aligns perfectly with our goal to attract top-tier talent,” Forti remarked.

John Timperio, chair of Dechert's global finance practice as well as its real estate practice, praised Camp’s role in expanding their offerings: “His experience with equipment, aircraft, SBA financing, and infrastructure will greatly benefit our clients. Our team’s capabilities in CLOs, credit funds, ABS, and rated notes will be strengthened by his unique skill set.”

Camp has a robust history of representing various market participants—underwriters, arrangers, originators, issuers, credit enhancers, and investors—across a multitude of asset classes including collateralized loan obligations (CLOs), Asset-Backed Securities (ABS), and mortgage-backed securities. He also has substantial experience in advising on real estate investment trusts (REITs), enhanced equipment trust certificates (EETCs), catastrophe bonds, collateralized debt obligations (CDOs), and derivative instruments. Camp's extensive knowledge extends internationally, having represented transactions involving U.S., Canadian, and European bank debt and covered bond programs.

Moreover, Camp’s foundational experience in debt underwriting covers a range of financial products including asset-backed securities (ABS), credit default swaps (CDS), and various forms of credit risk transfers. Notably, he has been recognized in Chambers USA for his contributions to capital markets and securitization since 2012, showcasing his prominence in the sector.

In commenting on his decision to join Dechert, Camp conveyed excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead: “Joining Dechert was an easy decision, considering the quality of the global finance team and the breadth of what the firm offers. The securitization and CLO practice is top-notch, and I’m eager to apply my skills in equipment, aircraft, SBA, and infrastructure finance to better serve our clients.”

Dechert has been on an ambitious growth trajectory, welcoming over 35 lateral partners this year alone. This expansion reflects the firm’s commitment to enhancing its capabilities not only in finance but across various practice areas, including litigation, investment management, capital markets, and mergers and acquisitions.

The asset finance and securitization team at Dechert specializes in sophisticated financings and securitizations that involve diverse asset classes and complex structures. The team is dedicated to representing a range of clients in acquiring, servicing, and financing asset classes from auto loans and unsecured consumer loans to more unconventional asset categories. Their expertise in such areas has earned them accolades from industry rankings including Chambers and Partners USA, IFLR1000, and The Legal 500 US.

In conclusion, with the addition of Lawton Camp, Dechert LLP not only enhances its global finance practice but also reaffirms its position as a leader in the complex world of asset finance and securitization—an area ripe for growth and opportunity in today's financial landscape.