Lee Askenazi

Lee Askenazi is a seasoned lawyer with extensive experience in structured capital markets and real estate finance. His practice focuses on advising sponsors, issuers, underwriters, investors, and asset managers on sophisticated domestic and international transactions involving securitization structures and secured financing arrangements.

Lee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Northwestern University and a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law. His academic training provided a strong foundation in corporate finance, securities law, and transactional practice, supporting his work on highly structured and regulated financial matters.

Lee advises clients across a broad range of structured products, including CMBS, RMBS, ABS, CLOs, CDOs, re-REMICs, and repurchase facilities. He regularly represents parties in warehouse lending lines and other secured financings tailored to complex asset classes and evolving market needs.

Lee also represents sellers and purchasers in the acquisition, disposition, and financing of real estate-related assets, including whole loans, mezzanine loans, preferred equity, and structured securities. His experience extends to mortgage servicing rights, servicing advances, and associated servicing platforms.

Lee further advises clients on consumer and marketplace loans, aircraft equipment financings, and lease transactions. His practice includes counseling on the formation of investment funds and joint ventures, particularly those focused on distressed assets, as well as derivatives and total return swap structures.

Lee has represented U.S. government agencies and major financial institutions in initiatives to restore financial markets. His experience includes advising on government-sponsored securitization programs and on complex financing structures to address market stability and liquidity challenges.

Lee Askenazi is recognized for delivering practical, technically precise legal guidance in highly structured transactions. His approach emphasizes risk management, regulatory awareness, and efficient execution, helping clients achieve financing objectives in sophisticated capital markets environments.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Clifford Chance
• Member, New York State Bar Association

Licensed State

• New York

Education

• Fordham University School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Northwestern University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges