Profile: James R Looman

Banking

Biography: Banking

James R Looman is a partner in the banking and commercial transactions group in Sidley's Chicago office. His practice covers a broad variety of corporate and commercial finance transactions, including the representation of banks and finance companies in lending transactions, securitisation and equipment leasing.

In his commercial lending practice, Mr Looman primarily represents banks and commercial finance companies in lending transactions, but also represents corporate borrowers. His practice in this area ranges from the representation of bank groups and corporate borrowers in large syndicated credit facilities, to the representation of lenders and corporate borrowers in secured credit facilities. In his equipment leasing practice, Mr Looman has represented debt participants, equity sources and lessees in leveraged lease transactions involving railcars, locomotives, aircraft and other equipment.

In the securitisation area, Mr Looman's practice has focused predominantly on the representation of bank-sponsored conduits in the securitisation of a variety of financial assets. He has spent considerable time on the securitisation of auto loans, auto leases and bank loans.

Mr Looman is a member of the American Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. He was chairman of the Chicago Bar Association's commercial and financial transactions committee between 1996 and 1997, and also between 2002 and 2003. He has been a speaker for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Banking Law Institute and Executive Enterprises. He is a member of the Leading Lawyers Network Advisory Board, an associate general counsel to the Commercial Finance Association and a fellow of the American College of Commercial Finance Lawyers.