Overview

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Robert Gillison is a Shareholder in our Los Angeles office and Chair of the firm’s Commercial Finance Practice—one of the largest finance practices on the West Coast. With more than 25 years of experience representing banks and non-bank credit providers, Mr. Gillison has built a strong reputation as one of California’s leading commercial finance attorneys.

Mr. Gillison has led hundreds of lending transactions involving billions of dollars in aggregate commitments. His practice covers a wide range of financings, and he is known for his ability to effectively negotiate and close complex, highly structured credit facilities. This includes bilateral and club deals, syndicated loans, cross-border financings, unitranche and multi-tranche facilities, intercreditor and split-lien arrangements, and liability management transactions, in which he regularly represents the administrative agent or lead lender.

What sets Mr. Gillison apart is his ability to navigate complex deal dynamics and competing interests among transaction parties across a broad range of industries and debt structures. This includes acquisition and leveraged financings, asset-based loans, aircraft financings, cash flow loans, and subscription and NAV-based facilities. He also has deep experience with securities-backed loans, healthcare lending, and technology and IP-based financings. Mr. Gillison frequently works on cross-border deals, coordinating with counsel in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and North America to ensure enforceability and compliance in global loan transactions.

Mr. Gillison also serves on the firm’s Partnership Evaluation Committee and Professional Responsibility Committee.

Mr. Gillison’s representative matters include:

  • Representation of the administrative agent and security trustee (as U.S. counsel) in a $2.6 billion export credit agency facility for the acquisition of more than 60 commercial aircraft from Airbus SE by one of the largest aircraft leasing companies in the world.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $650 million asset-based credit facility to one of the largest sporting goods retailers in the United States.
  • Representation of the lender in a $400 million securities-based facility to a multi-generational, family wealth management office to support new investment opportunities and tax benefits.
  • Representation of a co-lender in a $345 million debt restructure of a complex syndicated facility to the largest waste management and recycling company in the Northwestern United States.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $250 million asset-based facility to a specialty debt-investment fund secured by portfolios of digital loans originated through various online lending platforms.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $250 million asset-based credit facility to one of the largest outdoor sporting, camping, and hunting goods retailers in the United States.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $170 million subscription-based facility involving more than 20 private investment funds managed by a leading investment platform with more than $10 billion in assets under management.
  • Representation of the lender in a $190 million securities-based financing to a private investment company to make additional investments in publically traded companies.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in an $130 million subscription-based credit facility to multiple funds that make investments in emerging technology and life science companies.
  • Representation of the lender in a $100 million revolving warehouse facility to one of the largest independent power producers and energy storage operators in the Western United States.
  • Representation of the lender in a $100 million securities-based facility to a family wealth management office secured by its portfolio of Blue-chip companies.
  • Representation of a foreign lender in a $95 million financing to fund a U.S. REIT and guaranteed by the Government of Singapore’s investment reality corporation.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $85 million asset-based loan to a specialty debt-investment fund to acquire real property tax liens in multiple U.S. States.
  • Representation of the lender in a $65 million asset-based loan to the wholly-owned U.S. distributor of one of the largest distillers of premium tequila in the world.
  • Representation of the administrative agent in a $60 million credit facility to a leading provider of outsourced sales services in the telecommunication, internet, and merchant services industries.
  • Representation of a foreign lender in a $55 million financing for the acquisition of a U.S. geotechnical and environmental drilling company by a major Canadian drilling operator.
  • Representation of the lender in a $40 million asset-based loan to the wholly-owned U.S. distributor of the largest family-owned wine producer in Burgundy, France.

Admissions

  • California

Education

  • Loyola Law School

    Mr. Gillison earned his J.D. from Loyola Law School, where he distinguished himself through a strong academic record and early commitment to commercial law. While in law school, he served as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Nora Manella of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

     

  • University of California

    He received his undergraduate degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, graduating with dual B.A.’s in Political Science and History. His background in political systems and history enhances his perspective on commercial lending regulations and market trends.

  • Aircraft Finance
  • Asset-Based Lending
  • Acquisition Finance
  • Securities-Based Lending
  • Fund Finance (subscription/NAV/hybrid)

 

Mr. Gillison’s contributions to the legal and financial communities extend far beyond his transactional practice. He is actively engaged in several professional organizations that help shape commercial finance policies and laws, promote professional standards, and support the next generation of practitioners.

He is a long-standing member of the Commercial Law and Bankruptcy Section of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, where he supports the continuing legal education of finance attorneys. He also served for many years on the Commercial Transactions Committee for the Business Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, a prominent statewide body of practitioners that analyzes and advises on complex legal matters affecting the banking and finance community.

Mr. Gillison also serves as a Director of the Secured Finance Network (SFNet), the leading national association for professionals in asset-based lending and related finance sectors. Through this platform, he helps drive industry innovation and education in the secured lending community.

Through his leadership, mentorship, and service, Mr. Gillison shares his expertise with peers, mentors the next generation of finance professionals, and contributes to a more collaborative and principled financial community. His sustained commitment to the profession reflects a dedication that reaches far beyond the closing table.

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