Robert J. Stefani

Bob Stefani is a member of the firm and practices in the areas of financial, commercial, and corporate transactions; commercial litigation; and government regulation. His practice includes representation of companies in the financial services, chemical and industrial manufacturing, transportation, biopharmaceutical, marine, oil and gas, and construction businesses, as well as public port authorities. Bob handles a wide variety of commercial transactions, including marine, equipment, real estate and other financings, major development and construction projects, asset and stock purchase agreements, and public and private works and supply contracts. He advises business owners on corporate organization, governance, succession and ownership matters. He also represents companies in negotiating long-term leases and commercial agreements and resolving commercial disputes, workouts, collections, complex reorganization and liquidation cases, and the prosecution and defense of bankruptcy-related claims. 

Before joining the firm in 1998, Bob was a partner at a large multi-practice firm in Washington, D.C. He received a Leadership in Law Award from New Orleans CityBusiness in both 2020 and 2011, and is among a select group of lawyers listed in The Best Lawyers in America and Louisiana Super Lawyers.

• Representing industrial companies, chemical manufacturers, and other landowners in development projects, including construction and operation of chemical manufacturing, terminal and warehouse facilities
• Representing national and local lenders in all types of complex loan transactions, including asset-based secured, marine, leveraged lease financings and related syndications
• Representing companies, as seller and buyer, in asset and stock purchase transactions and business owners and entrepreneurs in forming and organizing business entities and in negotiating and drafting related corporate governance/succession instruments such as buy-sell agreements
• Representing public port authority in matters including development projects and regulatory compliance
• Representing clients in connection with oil and gas leases and transactions involving the sale or purchase of oil and gas properties
• Negotiation and drafting of commercial leases, real estate purchase contracts, development and construction contracts
• Representing secured lenders in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases, including successfully resolving through litigation and negotiation disputes involving the validity and priority of liens against collateral, avoidance claims, and repossession and resale of collateral
• Representing construction contractors and vendors in bidding, negotiating and resolving disputes relating to public and private works and supply contracts
• Representing companies in commercial litigation, including marine contractual disputes, collection matters, construction litigation, eviction, and lease and other real estate disputes
• Representing vessel-operating companies and lenders in administration of and compliance with Capital Construction Funds (CCF) contracts and in transactions involving CCF Funds and Title XI financing

Representative Transactions

• $16,400,000 multi-draw lease financing of hopper barge fleet – lender counsel
• $45,000,000 real estate loan to national restaurant franchise – local counsel to borrower
• $30,000,000 construction loan on school building – local counsel to lender
• $950,000 lease financing of deck barges – lender counsel
• MORE

Publications

Don’t Lien On Me: Identification and Mitigation of Maritime Lien Risks in Marine Lease/Loan Transactions, LJN's Equipment Finance Newsletter, December 2017

Speaking Engagements

• "Advanced Strategies for Indemnification Provisions in Acquisition Agreements" -  N.B.I. Advanced Business Contracts: Acquisition Agreements Training Seminar - August 26, 2014
• "Loan and Corporate Transaction Due Diligence and Documentation" - Louisiana Chapter of the Association of Corporate Counsel - July 25, 2013

• Association for Corporate Growth
• Crescent City Schools
  - Board Chair, 2017-2021
  - Board of Directors, 2009-2021
• Equipment Leasing and Finance Association
• Louisiana Bankers Association
• Maritime Law Association of the United States, Proctor in Admiralty
• Turnaround Management Association

• U.S. Customs And Border Protection Withdraws Proposed Changes To Jones Act Rulings, 05.17.2017
• Offshore Supply Vessel Market Turnaround May Be In Sight, But You Need a Long Telescope to See It, 03.08.2016
• Seven Key Clauses in a Vessel Purchase Agreement, 01.18.2016
• Are 'Best Efforts' Provisions Enforceable in Maritime Contracts?, 06.08.2015
• Fifth Circuit: No Overtime Pay for Crewmember Tankermen, 11.25.2014
• Designated Entity Clauses — No Substitute for Knowing Who You Are Dealing With, 11.19.2013