Christopher (Topher) A. Michail
Counsel
Los Angeles
christopher.michail@lw.com
+1.213.891.7999
PRACTICES
- Asset-Based Lending
- Banking
- Structured Finance
INDUSTRIES
- Financial Institutions
EDUCATION
- JD, Northwestern University School of Law, 2013
cum laude - BS, University of California, Irvine, 2005
LANGUAGES SPOKEN
PROFILE
Topher Michail represents asset managers and financial institutions in complex financing transactions.
Topher guides clients, including asset managers, banks, business development companies, large financial institutions, and borrowers, across the full spectrum of their financing needs, including:
- Collateralized loan obligations and other debt funds backed by portfolios of broadly syndicated loans or middle market loans
- Separately managed accounts for investment advisers and institutional investors
- Secured and unsecured credit facilities, including first- and second-lien loans, unitranche loans and structures, asset-based lending loans, and mezzanine loans
- Leveraged acquisition financings
- Structured vehicle financings, including revolving credit facilities
- Section 8 housing cash flow securitizations and other asset securitizations
- Joint venture origination platforms
He draws on his experience as a mechanical engineer to critically analyze clients’ needs and develop structures that help achieve their goals. Topher thrives in high-pressure situations and takes a holistic approach to each transaction. He negotiates clients’ positions vigorously to reach the most beneficial terms in each matter.
During law school, Topher served as editor-in-chief of the Northwestern Journal of International Law & Business and as a judicial extern for the Honorable Virginia M. Kendall of the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
EXPERIENCE
Topher represents a wide range of industry-leading financial institutions, including:
- Apollo Insurance Group/Athene Asset Management
- Carlyle and TCG BDC
- Cliffwater
- Golub Capital
- Irradiant Partners
- Ivy Hill Asset Management
- Morgan Stanley and Morgan Stanley Investment Management
- Solar Capital
- Symphony Asset Management
- Tetragon and LCM Asset Management