Felisa Sanchez is of counsel in the firm’s Houston office. She is a member of the Maritime and Finance practice groups and has a broad practice in maritime commerce and financing. Throughout her career, she has helped clients with a wide range of global maritime commerce and finance needs - helping them structure and document deals and also counseling them when issues arise after closing.
Felisa has represented both domestic and international clients in maritime financings and restructurings; transactions, contracts and regulatory compliance involving vessels and maritime assets; and Jones Act and other coastwise trade matters.
Felisa’s practice includes the domestic and international debt financings secured by a variety of assets, from traditional “all asset” loans and receivable financing loans to loans secured by maritime assets such as drillships and drilling rigs, tugs, barges, supply vessels and cruise ships and related collateral. She has also advised clients in the restructuring of debt and collateral lien reviews involving traditional, energy and maritime assets. Felisa also is experienced with equipment leasing matters and the sale/leaseback of vessels.
In addition to assisting clients with financing matters, Felisa has also advised clients as maritime counsel in investments and acquisitions involving maritime assets. This includes private equity investments in maritime portfolio companies and the purchase of maritime assets out of bankruptcy and restructuring settings.
Felisa also has worked with clients in developing detailed constructions plans and ownership structures to ensure compliance with Jones Act laws, as well as other U.S. regulations. Over the years, she has also assisted clients with the registration and transfers under various flags, including the United States, Marshal Islands, Liberia, Bahamas, Panama and Vanuatu, among others.
Clients appreciate her understanding of cultural differences in a global economy and her ability to work efficiently.