DLA Piper Adds Two Partners to Leveraged Finance Practice in NY

Shearman & Sterling leveraged finance duo have joined DLA Piper in New York City, the firm said Monday.

Alan Rockwell, the former co-head of Shearman’s US bank finance practice, and partner Heather Waters Borthwick are joining DLA as partners in its leveraged finance practice.

The pair are just the latest departures from New York-founded Shearman, which is finalizing plans to merge with UK’s Allen & Overy that is expected to be completed in May.

George Casey, along with five other M&A partners, left Shearman’s London office to join Linklaters last month. Sarah McLean, joint head of Shearman’s US energy industry group, joined Willkie Farr & Gallagher in Houston.

Rockwell represents leading investment and commercial banks, private credit funds and direct lenders and other financial institutions.

Rockwell joined Shearman in 2019 from Allen & Overy where he was co-head of its US leveraged finance group. He joined A&O in 2016 from White & Case where he spent nearly a decade in its London Bank Finance Group and New York Bank Finance Group.

Waters Borthwick advises leading financial institutions, private equity sponsors and corporate borrowers on a broad range of bank financing matters, including domestic and cross-border leveraged acquisition financings, asset-based financings and investment grade lending transactions.

She joined Shearman in 2021 from White & Case where she was a partner in its bank finance group in New York.

“Alan and Heather have a proven track record of advising leading financial institutions across sectors,” said Richard Reilly, global co-head of DLA Piper’s Finance practice, in a statement.

“Their arrival further bolsters our commitment to providing the strategic counsel clients need to navigate complex transactions, financing matters, and more, he said.