S. Deals Workshop: Finance and Restructuring - Market Trends, Client Strategies, and Law Firm Dynamics

This course explores current trends and challenges in finance and restructuring legal practices including unitranche financing, liability management transactions, Artificial Intelligence, and the evolving dynamics within law firms. It combines substantive legal content with practical strategies to help future lawyers succeed in high-pressure law firm and in-house environments.

Law firms frequently note that they struggle to deploy junior associates effectively. Clients increasingly refuse to pay the high hourly rates law firms charge for new associates, as they regard these rates as subsidizing on the job training. New models are being developed to utilize Artificial Intelligence programs to fill junior associates’ traditional roles. In light of these market realities, it is timely for law graduates to learn skills to distinguish themselves from the commoditizing trends, and to be better prepared to hit the ground running.

Classes will cover:

•     Intercreditor complexities;
•     Unitranche financing
•     The growth of private credit;
•     Liability management transactions;
•     Business development tools;
•     Law firm dynamics and strategies for success;
•     The impact of Artificial Intelligence on legal practice; and
•     How to add billable value to clients.

The aim is for classes to be interactive and experiential. Students will have the opportunity to:

•     Participate in a mock negotiation session;
•     Participate in a real time drafting exercise focused on delivering client value; and
•     Make a mock pitch to a client for a new representation.

The final grade will be based on the following:

•     Consistent attendance and value adding class participation (25%);
•     Mock negotiation (15%);
•     Live drafting exercise (10%);
•     Client pitch (15%) and
•     Final written paper (35%).

The lecturer has over three decades of experience practicing law at leading international law firms, primarily as an equity partner. She has been admitted to the New York, English, and Singapore bars. The course will also include two guest speakers with extensive legal expertise.

Due to high demand in prior years, students (registered or waitlisted) must attend the first session and confirm enrollment by 5pm on January 22. Students who do not confirm by that time will not be enrolled, and admission will proceed through the waitlist in order, with each student having 12 hours to confirm. After enrollment is confirmed, withdrawal will require approval.