Justin Riess is a Charlotte partner and co-chair of Haynes Boone’s Leveraged Finance Practice Group. His practice focuses on leveraged finance, specialty finance, private credit finance and syndicated lending for global financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity firms.
During 25 years of practice, Justin has advised global financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity firms in syndicated lending transactions ranging from $50 million to $3 billion. He has experience in many industries including healthcare, franchise, defense and aerospace, food and beverage and financial services. In addition to corporate lending, Justin has represented banks and other lenders in loans to high-net-worth individuals.
Those high-net-worth lending matters often involve complex collateral packages, including stock portfolios, real property, ownership interests in sports franchises, art collections, private planes and yachts.
Clients have stated that Justin is “extremely smart, responsive and helpful with complex structuring” (Chambers USA 2024). Other clients noted that he is “detail-oriented, objective and very knowledgeable” (Chambers USA 2024).
Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, listed Justin as a leading attorney in Banking & Finance for the last 12 years including naming him as an Up and Coming Lawyer from 2015-2016. Justin was included in The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., for Banking and Finance Law in 2021-2027. He was named a Rising Star in banking by Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters, in 2014.
Selected Client Representations
- Advised lead arranger in connection with a senior secured credit facility for healthcare practice in South Florida.
- Advised primary lender in connection with the financing of a vegan beauty supply company.
- Advised lead arranger and administrative agent in connection with a senior secured credit facility to a portfolio company of a private equity sponsor in the insurance and brokerage business.
- Advised private equity sponsor in connection with its investment in a general industrial company with operations in the United States and Canada.
- Advised primary lender in connection with a financing used to develop the headquarters of a professional sports franchise.
- Advised AMN Healthcare, Inc. in connection with a senior secured financing for working capital and acquisitions.
- Advised lead arranger in connection with a credit facility for the acquisition of a water tower maintenance and inspection services company with operations in the United States and Canada by a private equity fund.
- Advised lead lender in secured loan transaction to a high net worth individual to purchase a ranch property in Texas.
Professional Affiliations and Engagements
- Vanderbilt Law School Board of Advisors
- Girls on the Run Charlotte, Advisory Board Member (2016-2020)
Awards and Recognitions
- Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America, Woodward/White, Inc., 2021-2027
- Recognized in Chambers USA, Chambers and Partners, in Banking & Finance, 2014-2026
Publications and Speaking Engagements
- "EBITDA Adjustments in Loan Negotiations" co-author, Thomson Reuters Practical Law, October 2024.
- "EBITDA: Loan Agreement Negotiating Considerations" co-author, Thomson Reuters Practical Law, October 2024.
- "What’s Market: EBITDA Add-Backs (2023/2024)," contributor, Thomson Reuters Practical Law Finance, October 2024.
- "Limited Liability Companies," Vanderbilt Law School, 2020
QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
- J.D., Vanderbilt University Law School, 2001
- B.S., Vanderbilt University, 1996
ADMISSIONS
- North Carolina
- New York
Questions and Answers
What finance matters do you handle?
I focus on leveraged finance, specialty finance, private credit finance and syndicated lending. I advise global financial institutions, corporate borrowers and private equity firms in syndicated lending transactions.
What transaction sizes have you handled?
My Haynes Boone profile notes syndicated lending transactions ranging from $50 million to $3 billion. Those matters have involved industries including healthcare, franchise, defense and aerospace, food and beverage, and financial services.
Do you work on high-net-worth lending matters?
Yes. I represent banks and other lenders in loans to high-net-worth individuals. Those matters often involve collateral such as stock portfolios, real property, sports franchise ownership interests, art collections, private planes and yachts.
What leadership role do you hold?
I co-chair Haynes Boone’s Leveraged Finance Practice Group. That role aligns with my work advising lenders, borrowers and private equity firms on complex financing transactions.
What recognition is reflected on your Haynes Boone profile?
My profile notes Chambers USA recognition in Banking & Finance for the last 12 years and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America for Banking and Finance Law from 2021-2026. It also includes client comments from Chambers USA 2024 regarding complex structuring, responsiveness and knowledge.