Ralph R. Mazzeo, a partner in Dechert's global finance practice, focuses his practice on capital markets transactions, with a particular emphasis on structured finance, including residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS), commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS), the securitization of mortgage loans backed by single family rental properties (SFR), mortgage servicing rights and servicing advance securitizations, Re-REMICS and other re-securitizations. Mr. Mazzeo regularly advises issuers, originators, servicers, underwriters and others in connection with securitizations, asset sales and financings. Mr. Mazzeo also advises clients on the incorporation and use of blockchain, cryptocurrencies and digital assets in the origination, purchase, sale, servicing and financing of financial assets. His clients also include numerous private equity and hedge fund managers who are investing in the residential and commercial real estate markets, structured products and other complex financial arrangements. Mr. Mazzeo is a recommended lawyer for Real Estate in The Legal 500 U.S., where clients praised him for “having the experience and depth needed to quickly get to the heart of the issue.” Mr. Mazzeo was also selected as a 2019 Best of the Bar lawyer in Greater Philadelphia. 

Mr. Mazzeo has significant experience representing parties selling or acquiring mortgage loans and mortgage servicing rights, structuring tax-efficient vehicles to hold real estate assets, negotiating loan warehouse and repurchase facilities to finance loans and SFR properties, and structuring mezzanine financings. He also has represented hedge fund managers and trustees as creditors in connection with the bankruptcies of mortgage loan originators and servicers on various RMBS transactions. In addition, he has represented CDO collateral managers in a variety of complex debt restructurings and asset sales. 

In connection with the rulemaking process following the adoption of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, Mr. Mazzeo has represented industry trade groups including the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the Mortgage Bankers Association in delivering formal comments to proposed rules related to Risk Retention, Regulation AB, and other issues affecting securitizations. He also regularly advises financial institutions, hedge fund managers and mortgage servicers on a variety of regulatory compliance matters.

Mr. Mazzeo is editor-in-chief of Dechert’s finance and real estate blog, CrunchedCredit.