Haynes Boone welcomes Partner John Messina to its New York office and Finance Practice Group, where he will focus on derivatives and structured finance. His arrival further reinforces the firm’s market-leading derivatives capabilities and enhances the sophistication of its offerings in one of the firm’s key markets.
Messina brings more than 20 years of experience advising financial institutions, issuers and market participants on derivatives, securities law and structured finance matters. His practice focuses on over-the-counter equity derivatives, issuer-related transactions, margin lending and a range of structured products.
"John’s arrival reflects the continued expansion and sophistication of our New York finance platform," said Craig Unterberg, managing partner of Haynes Boone’s New York office. "We are focused on delivering high-value solutions for our clients, and his derivatives experience and strong market relationships further enhance the quality and depth of our capabilities.”
Before joining Haynes Boone, Messina served as a director at Barclays, supporting the bank’s equity derivatives business and advising on complex capital markets and structured transactions. Earlier in his career, he practiced at Sullivan & Cromwell, advising on securities, capital markets and M&A matters.
Messina said Haynes Boone’s collaborative culture, breadth of its finance work and his longstanding relationships within the finance practice were key factors in his decision to join the firm.
"Haynes Boone has built an impressive finance platform with a strong presence in New York," Messina said. "I’ve known many of the lawyers in the group for years and have seen firsthand the high-quality work they handle for clients. I’m excited to join a team operating at that level and share my experience in derivatives, structured finance and securities law."
Messina’s arrival continues a period of significant growth for Haynes Boone’s New York office, following the additions of White Collar Partner Seth Farber, who joined the firm in February and Data Center Real Estate Partners Jeffrey Moerdler and Stephen Friedberg, who arrived in January. The firm’s broader finance platform has also expanded with the additions of Fund Finance Partners Jeremy Cross in London and Perry Hicks in Charlotte.
Haynes Boone’s Finance Practice Group brings extensive experience across a broad range of complex financing transactions. The team advises private equity funds and companies on matters ranging from acquisition financing and corporate credit facilities to project and energy finance. By collaborating across practice groups, Haynes Boone assembles integrated, high-caliber teams equipped to handle sophisticated, large-scale financing matters.
The firm’s Derivatives Practice Group advises clients across the full spectrum of the derivatives markets, handling transactional and financial regulatory matters involving derivatives, hedging, structured products, commodities and related financing arrangements. The group brings together lawyers with deep experience across complementary disciplines and has been recognized by leading legal directories, including Chambers and Legal 500.
