Bio

R. Andrew Richards advises public and private businesses and major financial institutions on key corporate transactions to help move their businesses forward. Working alongside each client as a trusted advisor, he has executed various forms of commercial lending, mergers and acquisitions, and general commercial matters. Andy has extensive experience counseling financial institutions and borrowers in complex debt financing transactions, including senior secured credit facilities, syndicated loans, asset-based working capital facilities, subordinated debt and mezzanine financing, and dividend recaps. In the private equity and venture capital arenas, Andy advises funds and emerging-growth companies in leveraged and management buyouts, joint ventures, and strategic partnerships. A significant portion of his practice involves representing major public and private investors acquiring limited partnership interests in private equity funds and as well as analyzing and negotiating fund documents and side letters. Andy also has in-depth knowledge of the food and beverage industry, facilitating strategic alliances and joint ventures for clients in the space. He has documented several commercial agreements used in the industry, including supply and distribution agreements, intellectual property licenses, and packing agreements. Andy contributes to the global legal community as a member of the International Bar Association, helping to develop international law reform and shape the legal profession on a global scale. He regularly advises major European, Middle Eastern, and Indian multinational companies with cross-border transactions as well as contractual and corporate matters. Andy lived in the central African nation of Cameroon for more than two years, where he was an advisor to the country’s emerging banking system. Drawing on that experience, he now represents a major financial institution with its impact investment portfolio, including its equity investments in social impact private equity funds, as well as the client’s involvement with one of the first microfinance investment funds. Andy presents and writes articles on trending legal and financial issues and is active in many community and nonprofit organizations. He is an accomplished scuba diver and has traveled far and wide to see some of the world’s best marine ecosystems. Andy is also fluent in French and is a pilot who owns a Piper Archer aircraft.