Michèle O. Penzer

Michèle Penzer has built a robust finance practice, advising a broad array of clients for over three decades.

Michèle represents a wide range of banks and alternative lenders, as well as borrowers, in leveraged and investment grade finance transactions, including: 

• Acquisition financings
• Asset Based Loans
• Project financings
• Other senior secured lending transactions
• Restructurings 

She counsels clients on high-stakes transactions across a range of industries and has significant experience in structuring, negotiating, and documenting secured and unsecured credit facilities, offering clients seasoned guidance at every turn.

Michèle is regularly recognized as a leading attorney for US banking and finance by industry authorities, including Chambers Global, Chambers USA, and Legal 500 US. 

Beyond her unwavering commitment to her clients, Michèle has continually overseen the firm’s commitment to the New York legal and business community. Michèle currently serves as Global Chair of the firm’s Recruiting Committee and has held multiple other leadership roles, including New York Office Managing Partner, Global Co-Chair of the Banking & Private Credit Practice, member of the firm’s Executive Committee, New York Chief Community Engagement Partner, and Chair of the firm’s Associates Committee. She also helped to found WEB, a firmwide initiative that broadly strengthens our client and alumni relationships. 

Michèle is a member of the State Bar of New York, the New York State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She is president of the Board of Directors of Sanctuary for Families, on the Board of Directors of The New York Women’s Foundation, a member of the Board of Advisors of the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law, and a member of the Advisory Council of the Hastings Center for Bioethics.