Cassandra G. Mott

Biography

CO-CHAIR, HOUSTON OFFICE

Cassandra Mott represents commercial banks and non-bank lenders, as well as private and public company borrowers and private equity portfolio companies, in a variety of commercial finance transactions, with a particular focus on leveraged buyouts related to acquisitions and recapitalizations, including asset-based, cash flow, and unitranche financings. According to Chambers USA, she is an “exceptional practitioner with great business sense.”

Cassandra has structured, negotiated, and documented senior, subordinated, mezzanine, and unitranche credit facilities of many types, including single, “club,” syndicated, general working capital, asset-based, cash flow, first lien and second lien, split lien, and multijurisdictional facilities. She also advises clients on intercreditor matters, helping them structure and negotiate transactions with multiple debt tranches and lien priorities. Her practice also includes advising clients on in-court and out-of-court debt restructurings.

She has worked on many transactions both domestically and internationally across a vast range of industries, such as oil and gas, chemicals, consumer products, healthcare, technology, retail, transportation, and manufacturing.

Cassandra is a frequent author and speaker on a variety of secured finance and diversity, equity, and inclusion matters.

Experience

  • Represented a lender in a syndicated secured revolving credit facility for a midstream borrower.
  • Represented a public company in its asset-backed revolving and term loan credit facilities.
  • Represented a borrower in the oil and gas industry in connection with a $750 million syndicated secured revolving credit facility.
  • Represented the administrative agent in a term loan facility and senior secured revolving credit facility for welding companies.
  • Represented first out lenders and last out lenders in multiple unitranche financing facilities for companies in various businesses, including cybersecurity technology, digital marketing, and medical claims processing.
  • Represented the second lien agent in the second lien secured financing for an oil and gas exploration company.
  • Represented the lead arranger and administrative agent in senior facilities for companies engaged in various businesses, including the semiconductor industry, power management solutions, and pharmaceutical services.
  • Represented the lead arranger and administrative agent in connection with the senior secured financing for companies engaged in numerous businesses, including dental practice management; contract cleaning and related services; manufacturers of respiratory products, aerospace parts, greeting cards, and industrial and mechanical gear drives; diagnostic services; elevator and mechanical services; transportation; and air and water purification.
  • Represented the lead arranger and administrative agent in the senior secured first lien credit facility for companies engaged in numerous businesses, including non-food pet care products, oilfield services, and specialty chemicals.
  • Represented the lead arranger and administrative agent in connection with revolving and term loan credit facilities for an apparel retailer.
  • Represented underwriters, issuers, and trustees in multiple senior secured notes offerings.
  • Represented borrowers in their senior secured and subordinated financings in various industries, including manufacturers of doors, ventless fireplaces, and trailer hitches; high voltage power supply; microphone technology and design; medical and dental website design; environmental testing and support services; software and services to the home care and hospice industries; e-mail marketing; and the implementation of energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
  • Represented borrowers in their senior secured financing in various industries, including manufacturers and suppliers of urological products, high-end wall coverings, and rotationally molded coolers; matchmaking and dating services; a franchisor in the promotional products business; in vitro diagnostics; retail pharmacies; engineering services; claims management outsourcing; web design; antimicrobial and mold control technology; and workers' compensation sales and service software.
  • Represented an exploration and production company in its senior secured financing.
  • Represented a transportation company in its senior financing and the securitization of its trade receivables.
  • Represented an independent oil and natural gas exploration and production company in its bankruptcy exit financing and its subsequent senior secured financing related to the acquisition of oil-weighted Gulf of Mexico properties.
  • Represented a pipeline company in its senior financing for the acquisition of the equity interests in a privately owned midstream operator.
  • Represented a telecommunications company in its equipment financing.

News & Views

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Recognitions

  • 2020–2025, Banking and Finance Law, listed in Best Lawyers in America© (Woodward/White, Inc.)
  • 2024, Premier Women in the Law, Association of Women Attorneys Foundation
  • 2019–2024, 2012–2013, Banking & Finance, listed in Chambers USA
  • 2013–2024, Banking, listed in Texas Super Lawyers (Thomas Reuters)
  • 2022, “Top Women in Asset-Based Lending,” listed in the ABF Journal
  • 2022, “Leading the Way Forward: Women in Secured Finance,” listed in The Secured Finance Network
  • 2020, “Top Women in Dealmaking, Private Equity,” listed in The Deal
  • 2020, Women Who Mean Business, listed in Houston Business Journal
  • 2013, Finance: Capital Markets: High-Yield Debt Offerings, listed in The Legal 500 United States
  • 2011, listed in Texas Rising Stars
  • 2006–2007, listed in Ohio Rising Stars

Affiliations

Professional Activities

Cassandra serves on numerous boards and organizations, including:

  • Vice President, SFNet Houston
  • Women’s Forum Committee Chair, Association for Corporate Growth, Houston
  • Volunteer, Clinica Esperanza, Roatan, Honduras
  • Board of Directors, Finance Committee Member, Board Development Committee Member, and 2023 Success to Significance Co-chair, Girl Scouts of San Jacinto Council
  • Stewardship Committee, Governance Committee, and Co-Outside General Counsel, Houston Food Bank
  • LSTA Primary Markets Committee
  • St. Thomas High School Booster Club (2018–2022)
  • Development Committee, Houston Christian High School (2016–2022)
  • Executive Women's Partnership, Greater Houston Partnership (2016–2021)
  • Global Board Member, Association for Corporate Growth (2017–2020)
  • St. Agnes Academy Advancement Committee (2018–2019)
  • Past President, Board Member, and Co-Chair of 2016 and 2018 Texas ACG Capital Connection, Association for Corporate Growth (Houston Chapter)

Credentials

Admissions

  • Texas

Education

  • Ohio Northern University, BA, with high distinction
  • Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, JD, with honors, Order of the Coif