LA Business Journal Names Deb Festa and Jaelyn Judelson to ‘Leaders of Influence’ List
Akin’s structured credit practice head Deborah Festa and international trade partner Jaelyn Judelson have been named to Los Angeles Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence: Thriving in Their 40s list.
In Deborah’s recognition profile, LABJ notes that she possesses “deep experience at the critical nexus of investment management and institutional credit market.” The publication mentions that she is frequently sought by “leading institutional investment managers and global investment firms” for her knowledge and experience “in highly complex finance transactions, particularly collateralized loan obligation (CLO) issuances, structured finance investments, warehouse financings and asset manager M&A transactions.”
LABJ also notes that, despite recent challenges impacting the CLO market, Deborah’s practice ‘thrived, and she remained a stalwart for clients.” Notable among her achievements, according to the publication, is her work with investment advisory company KKR Credit (US), LLC, in more than a billion dollars in issuance of CLO transactions, for which she led the negotiation and drafting of disclosure and transaction documents, as well as related warehouse financing arrangements.
Regarding Jaelyn, LABJ highlights her work advising “the world’s leading technology companies on complex export controls and sanctions compliance matters, voluntary disclosures, and internal investigations.”
In addition to her reputation for guiding clients, including those in the high-tech space, through “high-stakes engagements on novel trade issues at the intersection of advanced technology, national security, and evolving geopolitics," she is also noted for holding leadership roles within the firm, co-chairing the Black Firmwide Resource Group and serving on office and firmwide Diversity, Equity & Inclusion committees.
Among Jaelyn’s recent work, the publication features her work advising clients on intricate and rapidly changing legal and business concerns related to engagements involving regions like Russia, Ukraine, and entities based in the People’s Republic of China. LABJ notes that she employs a "coordinated and multidisciplinary approach" to assist clients in navigating new developments.
