Elizabeth Taraila

My focus

My experience encompasses an extensive range of financial products (including standalone bond issuances, MTN programs, CLOs and securitizations, project finance transactions, and leveraged and acquisition financing), from conception and origination through amendments, distress, default, and litigation. I work with a diverse range of clients around the globe.

My strategic approach to legal challenges is backed by a deep understanding of the business implications of each transaction. I am driven by a passion for helping clients navigate the complexities of corporate finance with clarity and foresight.

Representative experience

Deals listed below are prior to joining Nixon Peabody in December 2024.

• DOE’s loan guaranty program established under Title XVII of the Energy Policy Act of 2005: A global financial institution, as agent, for the projects across the program
• Luckin Coffee Inc.: A global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the Cayman Islands joint provisional liquidation and related Chapter 15 recognition proceedings
• The Hertz Corporation: A global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, for the US auto securitization in United States Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
• Agrokor d.d.: A global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the Agrokor d.d. Croatian extraordinary administration procedure and related Chapter 15 recognition proceedings
• Europcar Mobility Group S.A.: Advising a global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the French safeguard proceedings and related Chapter 15 recognition proceedings
• JPMorgan Chase & Co. and Citigroup's RMBS global settlements: Lead default account manager for a financial institution, as trustee, in billion dollar global settlements related to various RMBS put-back claims
• Wind Hellas: Lead in-house counsel advising a global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the EUR1.8bn Restructuring in the United Kingdom
• Belvedere SA: Lead in-house counsel advising a global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the French safeguard proceedings
• Lehman Brothers' Dante repackaging program: Lead in-house counsel advising a global financial institution, as trustee/creditor, in the $5bn program in Lehman Brothers’ United States Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
• Sallie Mae: Key law firm associate advising Sallie Mae in the private placement of USD3bn student loan-backed auction rate notes and reset rate notes (including EUR750m and GBP500m reset rate note tranches) issued by SLM Student Loan Trust 2003-10

Looking ahead

Corporate trust and agency management and support, both on the client side and external firm support, is in a transition cycle with several key experienced leaders having recently retired or planning upcoming retirements. Succession planning, together with independent, non-bank trustees and agents looking to gain market share, may well shift the current landscape in the not-so-distant future. I’m excited to join a diverse, large, highly regarded corporate and agency team to support our clients through this transition cycle and in going forward.