Scott M. Hammond

Scott Hammond is a Partner in Martin’s Finance practice group, with a focus on middle market debt finance. In this role, Scott advises both lenders and borrowers, as well as other stakeholders involved in lending transactions, including sponsors, banks, direct lenders, institutional lenders, and individuals in debt financings for companies in a wide variety of industries. Scott has over 22 years of experience in banking and finance, with the bulk of such experience coming at major US law firms including as a partner at Winston & Strawn LLP and a senior counsel at both Latham & Watkins LLP and Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP.

Scott is responsible for the smooth, organized and efficient trajectory of a transaction, beginning at inception and continuing through to the final closing. Though each deal is unique, he typically begins with the negotiation of a term sheet, letter of intent or commitment letter before proceeding to negotiate a credit agreement or loan agreement. Scott also oversees the preparation of ancillary documents such as security agreements, equity pledge agreements, guarantee agreements, IP security agreements and deposit account control agreements, as well as agreements among lenders for unitranche financings and intercreditor agreements with respect to first or second liens, mezzanine debt or unsecured debt.  

When called for Scott is skilled at devising innovative approaches to unique challenges. As an example, Scott advised a client on a financing transaction involving managing the status of title documents for a large number of semi trailers. Effective completion required the attorneys involved to personally transport a literal truckload of title documents in order to ensure that they arrived when needed, intact, and in time for the closing. Because it’s what it took to get the deal done, Scott took care of it.

As a practitioner, Scott has a great deal of experience analyzing potential transactions, with a special focus on the agent/lender side. This work has included reviewing, analyzing and summarizing projects for debt funds, as well as performing borrower, lender and distressed debt analysis for existing and prospective lenders.

As a result, he has developed deep knowledge of market terms, as well as a grasp of the latest innovations in different loan agreements. New deal features typically originate with large transactions at the top of the market, and gradually filter down to middle and lower-middle markets over time. Scott’s clients value his ability to integrate this with an outstanding real-world grasp of the dynamics of deals based on fee mechanics and the varying clout and negotiating leverage in negotiations different borrowers may have. All this informs his work, and makes him uniquely able to manage projects effectively.

Scott also brings an extraordinary level of professionalism and responsiveness to the actual execution of deals. Regardless of the project, every client needs the work behind a deal performed promptly, carefully and in a manner that suits the transaction best. Individual clients also have different communication preferences and styles. During the sometimes-frenetic process of managing a deal, Scott ensures that regardless of the size, nature or timeframe of a transaction, his clients are up to date on progress, aware of any changes or issues, and perhaps most importantly, never surprised.

Scott resides in Larchmont, New York with his wife Blair and their three children. In his spare time he enjoys running, coaching youth soccer, and playing squash, paddle tennis and other semi-obscure racquet sports.

Admissions

Massachusetts
New York
Connecticut

Areas of Practice

Corporate Finance
Growth Companies