Bingham McCutchen hired Martin Teckler to its structured transactions practice group as a Washington-based of counsel.
Teckler, who was formerly at K&L Gates in Washington, is an authority on Small Business Administration (SBA) and other federal programs that provide capital to small businesses, and in areas of government contracting and the provision of set-asides to small and minority-owned businesses.
Teckler served as deputy general counsel for the U.S. SBA between 1984 and 1997, where he was senior counsel for the SBA’s business lending, Small Business Investment Co. (Venture Capital) and development company programs. His practice focuses on representing venture capital funds that are structured as small business investment companies (SBICs), as well as representing specialty lenders that make financial assistance available to small and mid-sized businesses.
Teckler’s arrival is the second addition for Bingham’s structured transactions group since January, when Sarah Smith joined Bingham’s London office as a partner. Smith, who focuses on general finance and restructuring matters, has considerable experience in structured finance and securitization, and domestic and cross-border asset-based lending.
“Marty is a leading practitioner in the field of small business investment companies,” said Roger Joseph, leader of Bingham’s investment management practice group and co-chair of Bingham’s Financial Services Area. “With a focus on representing venture funds and private equity funds that are SBICs, Marty will be able to work with Bingham’s Investment Management Practice to provide added value to clients.”
Reed Auerbach, a New York-based partner and leader of the structured transactions practice goup, noted that Bingham’s structured deals have had a longstanding relationship with Teckler, dating to his time at the SBA. That relationship made Bingham a perfect fit for Teckler, Auerbach said.
“The initiatives of the Small Business Administration are a top priority for the Obama administration, and Marty is the dean of the SBA bar,” Auerbach said. “Having a lawyer
with Marty’s government and lending experience adds greater value for our securitization and structured finance clients and is another step in growing our marketleading practice.”
Teckler noted that he will be able to leverage other practice groups, including Bingham’s market-leading Investment Management Practice Group, to serve his clients, particularly those focused on venture capital and private equity. That diversified, global platform attracted Teckler to the firm.
“Bingham is a great firm and a great fit for me. The economic climate has placed a greater focus on the needs of small-business lending, and Bingham’s leading structured finance and securitization practice will provide unique insight for clients who provide financing for small businesses,” Teckler said.
Bingham’s combination with McKee Nelson, a leading 120-lawyer firm in New York and Washington, D.C., known for its structured finance, tax and financial institutions litigation strength, increased its Washington presence to more than 200 lawyers. The firm has 1,100 lawyers in 12 locations in the U.S., U.K. and Asia.
