Schiff Hardin Expands Finance and Corporate Groups with Partner and Two Counsel

Schiff Hardin LLP announced today the expansion of its Finance practice with the addition of Alexis Schostak, who joins as a partner in the firm’s Ann Arbor office. Schostak advises lenders in complex corporate finance transactions, as well as private equity sponsors, venture capital funds, and others in a broad range of financing transactions. She is licensed in Michigan, New York, and Pennsylvania.

“Alexis is an outstanding finance lawyer and we are pleased she’s joined the Schiff Hardin team,” said Finance Practice Group Leader Andrew Kling. “Demand for talented finance lawyers is significant. Clients need trusted legal advisors who understand their businesses. Alexis is a great fit and deepens the bench of our national finance practice.”

In recent years, Schostak has worked with private equity funds and their portfolio companies and financial institutions on a range of issues, including secured and unsecured debt facilities, SBIC financings, Paycheck Protection Program loans, and a variety of other leveraged finance transactions.

Previously, Schostak was assistant practice group leader of the Corporate Finance team at Dykema. She has been recognized as an “All Star Advisor” by Association for Corporate Growth Detroit and twice selected for the “Notable Women in Law” list by Crain’s Detroit Business. Schostak earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and her J.D. with honors from Emory University School of Law.

“Having worked across the table from Schiff Hardin lawyers, I am impressed by their experience, strong lawyering skills, professionalism, and resourcefulness,” Schostak said. “The firm’s platform allows me to expand my practice and seamlessly service my clients.”

Schiff Hardin also recently added both Rochelle Smith as counsel in the firm’s Finance Group, and Johnathan Duncan as counsel in the Corporate and Transactional Group, in New York.

“Adding talented corporate and finance lawyers like Rochelle and Johnathan is a direct result of the activity we are seeing in the transactional space,” said David McHugh, leader of Schiff Hardin’s Corporate and Transactional Practice Group. “It is great to be able to add experienced lawyers when our clients need it most.”

Smith most recently practiced at Banwo & Ighodalo in Lagos, Nigeria, where she focused on secured finance and loan syndication for large-scale international energy, oil, and gas-related projects in Europe and West Africa. She is admitted to practice in New York. Smith earned her J.D. from Cornell Law School and her B.S. cum laude from the University of Miami.

Duncan joined the firm from Olshan Frome Wolosky LLP, where he advised public and private companies in general corporate, transactional, and securities law matters. He advises clients on mergers and acquisitions, equity offerings, corporate governance, securities law compliance, and ‘34 Act reporting. Duncan frequently represents companies involved in stock and asset purchases and sales, reverse mergers, and general commercial contracting. He is licensed in New York and New Jersey.

Previously, he was an associate at Proskauer Rose LLP. He earned his J.D. from the University at Buffalo School of Law and an MBA from the University at Buffalo School of Management. He received a B.A. magna cum laude from Adelphi University.