Paul H. Amiel
Biography
Paul Amiel is a senior banking and finance partner at Haynes Boone with more than 45 years of experience representing corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, and lenders in complex debt financing transactions. His practice centers on advising corporate clients across all aspects of debt financings, including syndicated credit facilities, leveraged lending, and debt capital markets transactions, as well as representing private equity sponsors and strategic corporate borrowers in acquisition financings, from commitment letter negotiations through closing.
Over the course of his career — spent entirely at Haynes Boone — Paul has advised on billions of dollars of leveraged finance and acquisition financing transactions spanning senior secured and unsecured credit facilities, second lien term loans, mezzanine financings, subordinated debt, private note placements and other structured debt products. Clients turn to him for his command of current market terms, his ability to structure and negotiate credit agreements efficiently, and his commitment to aligning financing solutions with each client's commercial objectives.
Paul's practice is grounded in a distinctive dual perspective. His early career representing Texas banks, savings and loan associations, and other financial institutions in loan originations, credit facility structuring, and workout and restructuring matters gives him direct insight into how lenders evaluate risk, structure credit terms, and approach covenant compliance. He applies that lender-side knowledge to his borrower and sponsor representation, helping private equity clients and corporate borrowers anticipate negotiation issues, address key financing terms, and structure debt packages that support portfolio company acquisitions, recapitalizations, and growth financings.
Before beginning his legal career, Paul served for six years as a naval officer on Admiral Rickover's staff at the U.S. Division of Naval Reactors, where he developed the disciplined, detail-oriented approach that defines his practice. His leadership experience, which includes more than 20 years as Haynes Boone's chief information officer, reinforces a strategic, client-centered approach to debt finance matters that keeps deal execution and business goals at the forefront of every transaction.
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- Represented Blucora, Inc. in securing a $175,000,000 incremental term loan to finance the acquisition of HK Financial Services, a CPA-focused, captive registered investment advisor.
- Represented public insurance agency in the amendment and restatement of a $105mm syndicated credit facility.
- Represented Landry’s, Inc. and its subsidiaries in a $300 million increase to the existing term facility and a $30 million increase to the existing revolving facility in connection with the acquisition, and joinder to the facilities, of the Del Frisco Restaurant Group.
- Representation of private equity firm in its acquisition of a manufacturer of specialty paper, and related acquisition financing of senior and subordinated secured loans collateralized by real and personal property.
- Representation of a company engaged in the acquisition, development and exploration of oil and natural gas properties in connection with the public offering of $750 million of senior unsecured notes and a $1.2 billion revolving credit facility secured by oil and gas properties and other upstream and midstream assets.
- Representation of a leading manufacturer and aftermarket service provider of comprehensive flow management products and services in negotiating and documenting a $1 billion credit agreement secured by a pledge of the capital stock in each of its domestic subsidiaries and certain stock of its material foreign subsidiaries.
- Representation of a design, development, marketing and distribution company specializing in watches sold under the company's proprietary and licensed brands in negotiating and documenting a senior secured $350 million credit agreement.
- Representation of an international apparel manufacturing company in connection with the negotiation and documentation of a $140 million senior secured revolving credit facility, secured by real and personal property.
- Representation of one of the largest dining, hospitality and entertainment companies in the United States in connection with a $287 million senior secured revolving credit and term loan credit facility and a public offering of $650 million of subordinated notes, each secured by real and personal property assets managed by domestic subsidiaries.
- Workout of $500 million of secured real estate loans to limited partnerships through a roll-up into a master limited partnership.
- Representation of a gaming company in the development and construction financing of riverboat casinos involving a $90 million public debt offering and a $60 million private placement.
- Numerous secured and unsecured working capital lines of credit, senior and subordinated financings, real estate financings and acquisition financings.
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- American Bar Association, Business Law Section
- Florida State Bar, Business Law and Computer Law Sections
- Dallas Bar Computer Use and Technology Section
- Texas Association of Bank Counsel
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- Listed in Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, for Banking and Finance (Texas), 2017-2025
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., for Banking and Finance Law, 2019-2027
- Featured in D Magazine's Best Lawyers list for Banking and Finance, D Magazine Partners, 2014-2017, 2019-2020
- Recognized in Texas Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters for Securities and Corporate Finance, 2004-2016; Banking, Business/Corporate, 2014-2016
- Martindale Hubbell Law Directory with a Peer Review Rating of AV Preeminent
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Education
- J.D., University of Virginia School of Law, 1982
- M.B.A., George Washington University, 1978
- B.A., University of Notre Dame, 1973, high honors
Admissions
- Texas
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What types of financing transactions do you handle?
I represent corporate borrowers, private equity sponsors, and lenders in debt financing transactions. My work includes senior secured and unsecured credit facilities, second lien loans, mezzanine investments, subordinated debt, and acquisition financing structures.
How does your lender-side background help clients?
Early in my career, I represented Texas banks, savings and loan associations, and other financial institutions in loan transactions and workouts. That experience helps me understand how lenders evaluate risk and negotiate financing terms, which is useful when I represent corporate and private equity clients in lender negotiations.
Do you work with private equity clients on acquisition financings?
Yes. A central part of my practice is representing private equity clients in acquisition financings for portfolio company acquisitions. I focus on documenting and negotiating debt structures that support the transaction and the client’s business objectives.
What kinds of clients have you represented in financing matters?
My financing practice has included work for corporate clients, private equity sponsors, lenders, small business owners, public companies, local financial institutions, and large money-center banks. Across those matters, I focus on understanding the client’s goals and the commercial terms that matter most to the transaction.
What experience do you bring beyond legal documentation?
Before joining Haynes Boone, I served for six years as a naval officer on Admiral Rickover’s staff at the U.S. Division of Naval Reactors. I also have a finance degree, an M.B.A., and more than 20 years of experience serving as Haynes Boone’s chief information officer, which inform my practical approach to business and finance issues.
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