Practice Areas
Bar Admissions
North Carolina
Virginia
Education
Duke University, J.D., 1991
University of Michigan, B.A., 1988
Profile
Steve Willen's practice areas include corporate finance, project finance, commodity finance, mergers and acquisitions, general corporate and commercial matters, and equity investing. He has represented a variety of public and private company borrowers in financings in the U.S. and abroad, working primarily with energy, industrial and manufacturing companies. Steve has also represented commercial lenders in a variety of syndicated loan transactions and project financings, and he has represented institutional equity investors and venture capital investors in connection with making equity investments.
In addition to his transactional practice, Steve works closely with several clients on a regular basis in connection with their general corporate and commercial matters.
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, mergers and acquisitions, 2013-25
Experience
Experience
Represented a private company in connection with upsizing its $1.7 billion senior credit facility and $250 million tack-on bond offering.
Since 2008, represented Pyxus International Inc., a publicly held global leaf tobacco merchant, in connection with its credit needs and various other matters. Credit needs are global in nature with financings in more than 15 different countries and which range from $5 million to $1 billion. Examples of recent financings include a $1.025 billion refinancing with a first lien syndicated credit facility and second lien debt issued under Rule 144A, a $335 million ABL credit facility and a 144A issuance for refinancing first lien debt, and commodity-style financings in Africa exceeding $1 billion in aggregate.
Represented Duke Energy Corp. and its affiliates in a variety of corporate financings and other matters. Most recent financings include several $1 billion bridge credit facilities and an $8 billion master credit facility.
Represented several solar energy companies in connection with various financings for, and the sale of, solar projects. Transaction sizes range from $5 million to $200 million.
Represented lenders in connection with project-style financings for solar projects.
Since 2012, represented large health care company headquartered in Germany with U.S. operations based in Boston in connection with making debt and equity investments, as lender and investor, exceeding $1.5 billion in aggregate.
Since 2000, represented a health care receivables aggregator in connection with its financings, negotiating its provider agreements and various other matters. The most recent financings include a $225 million asset-based credit facility and a subsequent securitization of receivables while maintaining a debt capital structure of first and second lien debt.
Represented several equity funds in connection with the financing, purchase and sale of their investments. Transaction sizes range from $15 million to $100 million.
Represented Crescent Resources (now Crescent Communities) in connection with a $1.5 billion corporate credit agreement, subsequent iterations of that financing, a related DIP financing, and a $150 million first-lien credit facility and a $258 million second-lien credit facility while exiting bankruptcy.
Represented a vegetable canning company in connection with a $165 million first-lien asset-based credit facility and a $57 million second-lien credit facility, subsequent iterations of that financing and a related DIP financing.
Represented a textile company in connection with the financing for an ESOP recapitalization, including a $70 million senior secured credit facility, tranches of midterm and long-term subordinated debt, and the ESOP debt.
Represented lenders in a variety of syndicated financings, ranging in size from $35 to $750 million, with a focus on leveraged finance.
News & Events
News
- Aug. 15, 2024
- Aug. 17, 2023
- June 2, 2023
- Aug. 23, 2022
- Aug. 26, 2021
- Aug. 20, 2020
- Aug. 15, 2019
- Aug. 15, 2018
- Eight Named “Lawyer of the Year”Aug. 16, 2017
Affiliations
Community Affiliations
- Arts & Science Council of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Administration and Operations Committee
- KIPP Charlotte, Board of Directors
- Council for Children's Rights, 2018
- Leadership Charlotte, Class 31