Eliot L. Relles
Partner | New York
Eliot L. Relles

Eliot L. Relles is a partner in Dechert’s global finance practice, representing borrowers and lenders across the private credit space in complex finance transactions, including acquisition financings and leveraged lending. Mr. Relles also advises on unitranche and first-out/last-out financings, structured financial arrangements, asset-based lending, workouts, debtor-in-possession loans and company restructurings.

With over two decades of experience, Mr. Relles has overseen hundreds of deals financed by a broad range of middle-market direct lenders, including Blue Torch, Cerberus, Fortress, Kayne Anderson Senior Credit and TCW Private Credit, to privately owned companies and portfolio companies of leading private equity sponsors, including A&M Capital, ACON Investments, American Securities, Aterian, Carlyle, Gamut, HIG Capital, Kelso, KPS Capital, MiddleGround, Monomoy, One Equity and SK Capital.

Key Matters

  • Direct lenders in connection with a senior secured credit facility for the acquisition of a leading U.S. retailer with over 600 stores across the country.
  • Certain hedge funds in the provision of secured loans to, and a preferred equity investment in, a newly formed joint venture, proceeds of which were used to fund the construction of double-hulled deep-water tankers for use in the U.S. energy market.
  • A direct lender in the provision of second lien secured loans to finance the acquisition of a leading supplier of electrical power systems for the office furniture, appliance and transportation industries.
  • A direct lender in financing the recapitalization of an independent sports production, program development, marketing services and sales representation company.
  • Certain hedge funds and other lenders in the provision of secured loans to finance the acquisition of a Vancouver-based casino and its exit from reorganization proceedings in British Columbia, Canada.
  • A German bank in the provision of bridge loans to finance an investor’s acquisition of equity interests in a Spanish real estate development project.
  • A domestic finance company, as borrower, in a US$1.6 billion syndicated secured credit facility, US$500-million medium-term note conduit facility and a US$200 million junior secured credit facility provided by certain foreign banks. The proceeds of which were used to fund the finance company’s origination and purchase of loans made to, and debt securities issued by, third-party domestic and foreign borrowers.
  • A hedge fund, as borrower, in a US$500 million credit facility secured by the fund’s direct investments, its indirect equity interests in other hedge funds and the securities held in its prime brokerage accounts.

Includes matters handled at Dechert or prior to joining the firm

Services
    • University of Michigan, B.A., 1991
    • Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., 1994, Associate Editor, Hofstra Law Review
    • New York