Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Michael Thimmig and Rafael A. Colorado Ferrer have joined the firm’s Financial Transactions and Restructuring practice in the Dallas office as Partner and Associate respectively. Michael is joining the firm from Greenberg Traurig, LLP, while Rafael is joining from Hudson Americas LLC.

Michael focuses his practice on structured finance, mortgage banking and secured lending transactions. His structured finance experience includes sophisticated and complex financings utilizing asset true sales into bankruptcy remote special purpose entities (SPE). Michael’s structured finance practice also focuses on residential mortgage loans in both Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (REMIC) and non-REMIC transactions, including performing and non‑performing mortgages, as well as commercial mortgage loans, distressed mortgage loans, and other consumer receivables and financial assets.

“Michael is a well-respected lawyer in the financial services industry and specializes in the complex business matters of financial institutions, which immediately adds depth to our already talented group of attorneys,” said George Fogg, Co-Chair of the Financial Transactions and Restructuring practice. “The knowledge, skills and experience that both Michael and Rafael bring to the firm will be a valuable asset as we expand our capabilities in the structured finance and mortgage banking areas. Both of these areas continue to be vital for the financial industry and a sustained economic recovery in the credit and housing markets.”

Michael stated that, “Perkins Coie presented an excellent opportunity for Rafael and me to combine our experience and capabilities. We are pleased to join a highly regarded and leading firm and enhance their structured finance and mortgage banking areas.”

Michael also has extensive experience in the commercial paper and asset based lending areas, which includes significant collateral pledge and security interest analysis under Uniform Commercial Code Articles 8 and 9. Michael has a background with accounting, business and legal experience, including three years as an in-house attorney in the mortgage banking industry, the securitization and capital markets area, and two years as a Certified Public Accountant. He earned his J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law and his B.S.B.A. from Marquette University.

While at Hudson Americas LLC, Rafael served as in-house counsel to Lone Star Funds and transactions involving residential mortgage loans. Rafael’s experience has included structured finance and warehouse financing transactions, including master repurchase agreements, and rated and unrated securitization transactions of performing and non-performing residential mortgage loans and servicing advance receivables. He also has extensive experience with whole purchases and sales of performing and non-performing mortgage loans and REO, mortgage servicing rights acquisitions, loan servicing transfers, loan servicing practices and other loan servicing matters. Rafael also is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Texas, earned his J.D. from the University of Texas Law School, with honors, and received both his M.A. and B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

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