Donna Parisi

Donna Parisi

Partner

Email

dparisi@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 212 848 7367

Offices

New York

Links

LinkedIn

V-CARD

Donna is Global Co-Head of Global Financial Markets and Financial Institutions Sector Lead, and leader of the firm' s Family Office initiative.

Donna covers bank finance, leveraged lending, project finance, restructuring and insolvency, and structured products and derivatives.

Donna advises clients on the full range of derivatives, structured products, securitization, capital markets and commodities matters. In particular, she helps clients develop and structure new financial products and has extensive experience in the negotiation and documentation of OTC derivative transactions across all asset classes. Donna has broad and deep knowledge of financial institutions, regulatory requirements and the evolving business landscape. A skilled practitioner and negotiator, she represents major financial institutions including Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Barclays, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, hedge funds and other private investment funds as well as corporate clients.

Donna founded the firm’s FinTech Foundry program, which supports the FinTech-related activities of our clients and the wider global FinTech ecosystem including financial institutions, FinTech startups, accelerators and incubators, venture capital and private equity investors, and policymakers. In addition, Donna is a prominent thought leader and frequently speaks at events organized by the Financial Times, Glass Hammer, Thomson Reuters, FinTech Cocktail Club, WISER and the Practising Law Institute, among others. Donna has been named to Innovate Finance’s Women in FinTech Powerlist 2018-2023.

Experience

Representative matters

  • Leading cryptocurrency investment firm and brokerage firm on transacting in cryptocurrency-related derivatives.
  • Seven international banks, including Citi, Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan, in negotiating highly structured repurchase transactions with Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA). These transactions were crucial in bolstering the U.S. dollar reserves of BCRA at a critical time in Argentina’s history, increasing BCRA’s capacity to confront external shocks and minimizing potential disruption in the local market.
  • Liberty Global and Discovery Communications on equity derivatives transactions in connection with their acquisition of five million common shares each of Lions Gate Entertainment. This highly innovative deal was one of the first equity derivatives transactions executed concurrently with the acquisition of a strategic stake in a U.S. public company.
  • Bank of America, Wells Fargo and other financial institutions regarding commodity hedges in the context of oil and gas company bankruptcies, including close-out issues and hedging issues in connection with new business with debtor-in-possession such as DIP and Exit Facility secured financings.
  • Bank of America in relation to a $75 million margin loan financing with the margin consisting of three equities, and security governed by English law, New York law and Ontario law.
  • Citigroup and its affiliates globally regarding the implementation of margin for uncleared swaps, one of the last remaining Dodd-Frank reforms.

Published Work

  • Parisi, Donna, (2021), “We Don’t Need a New Regulator to Have Better Crypto Regulation”, New York: CoinDesk

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, New York State Department of Financial Services Financial Innovation Advisory Board
  • Member, The Global Blockchain Business Council Board of Directors
  • Member, Committee on Commodities and Futures Law, New York State Bar Association

Recognition

“Excellent reputation for her broad derivatives practice and, as head of the fintech initiative for the firm, she is also experienced in matters involving cryptocurrency.”
Chambers Global, 2024
“Donna is an excellent lawyer.”
Chambers Global, 2024

Awards

  • Highly ranked by Chambers USA: Derivatives, 2017–2024
  • Women in FinTech Powerlist, Innovate Finance, 2018–2023
  • “Hall of Famer” in Finance: Structured Finance - Derivatives and Structured Products, Legal 500 US, 2017-2023
  • “Highly Regarded Lawyer” for Capital Markets: Derivatives, IFLR1000, 2018–2023
  • Americas IFLR1000 “Women Leaders”, IFLR 1000, 2021-2023
  • Selected for the Finance Advisory Board of Take the Lead, and played a central role in the inaugural 50 Women Can Change the World Program, 2019
  • Inspiring Role Model in Promoting Gender Diversity in the Legal Profession, Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA, 2018

Qualifications

Admissions

State of New York, USA, 1994

Academic

Bachelor of Arts, Vassar College, 1989
J.D., magna cum laude, Boston College Law School, 1993, Order of the Coif
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.