David Bilkis

Partner, New York

Biography

“David Bilkis is a phenomenal lawyer and extremely hands-on.”
Chambers 2020

Overview

David Bilkis has been named as a Leading Lawyer in Banking and Finance by Chambers USA 2004-2021.

David represents major commercial banks, investment banks, direct lenders and other alternative credit providers as lead arranger and agent in a variety of lending transactions, with an emphasis on acquisition and leveraged financing deals. He is recognized as a leading practitioner in the debt finance field.

As lead counsel for the agent/arranger and lenders, David is involved in all aspects of the structuring, negotiation and documentation of transactions, with an ability to unravel complexity for his clients.

Because of the cross-border nature of many of these deals, David has extensive experience working as part of the Firm’s international network of lawyers. Working with well-coordinated and responsive global teams is essential in complex, time-sensitive transactions, and many clients benefit from his considerable skill in trans-continental partnership.

David has advised agents/arrangers and lenders in financing transactions involving borrowers across a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipping, gaming, hotel, healthcare and media and communications. He also has considerable experience representing borrowers and private equity firms in lending transactions.

Bars and Courts
New York State Bar
New Jersey State Bar
Education
JD
Fordham University School of Law
BA
Brandeis University
Languages
English

Experience

Actavis Laboratories, 2019
Representation of Jefferies Finance LLC, as sole lead arranger and bookrunner, in connection with US$312.5 million senior secured term loan facility to finance the acquisition by P & L Development, LLC of Actavis Laboratories NY, Inc., a pharmaceuticals manufacturer and distributor.

Calpine Corporation, 2019
Representation of Calpine Corporation in obtaining a new US$950 million first lien senior secured term loan facility, the proceeds of which were used to repay in full its existing first lien senior secured term loan facilities entered into in February 2017 and December 2015. Calpine is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources.

Jefferies Finance LLC, 2019
Representation of Jefferies LLC, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc., as joint lead arrangers and joint bookrunners, in connection with their arranging a US$750 million senior secured term loan facility and a US$275 million senior secured super-priority revolving facility for Jefferies Finance LLC and JFIN Co-Issuer Corporation's, as co-borrowers, the proceeds of which were used to refinance certain existing debt and for general corporate purposes.

Caliburn International, 2018
Representation of the private equity firm DC Capital Partners and its portfolio company, Caliburn International as borrower, on a US$455 million credit facility consisting of a US$380 million term loan A facility and a US$75 million Revolving Facility. Caliburn International is a leading provider of professional services and specialized solutions for the US government and commercial clients worldwide.

Colonial Downs Group, 2018
Representation of Credit Suisse, as lead arranger, bookrunner, administrative agent and collateral agent, in connection with a US$225 million term B loan facility, a US$25 million delayed draw term B loan facility and a US$5 million revolving credit facility to Peninsula Pacific Entertainment, LLC in order to fund the leveraged buyout of Colonial Downs Group, LLC.

Golden Nugget, 2018
Representation of Jefferies Finance LLC as arranger and agent with respect to a US$1.045 billion secured incremental term loan facility and a US$35 million secured incremental revolving facility to Landry's in connection with the 2017 reorganization of the Landry's/Golden Nugget international dining and gaming enterprise, which incremental facilities increased the aggregate principal amount of the Landry's credit facility to $2.58 billion, and the proceeds of which were used, in part, to fund a $1.65 billion dividend recapitalization.

Gibson Brands, 2017
Representation of GSO Capital Partners in connection with a US$130 million senior secured financing for Gibson Brands, a multinational manufacturer of musical instruments and professional audio equipment headquartered in Tennessee. GSO's financing package included a US$60 million international term loan made to Gibson's Hong Kong subsidiary and a US$70 million "last-out" term loan made under an amended and restated ABL credit agreement in favor of Gibson and certain of its US and Dutch subsidiaries. 

Everi Payments, 2017
Representation of Jefferies Finance in connection with a US$855 million credit extension in the form of a term loan facility and a revolving credit facility to be used to refinance existing indebtedness, fund working capital and other general corporate purposes of Everi Payments Inc., a financial technology and cash management solutions company.

Awards and Recognition

Leading Individual, Banking and Finance, Chambers USA 2004 – 2022