In the Marketplace

Debra P. Goldberg has joined the New York office of Blank Rome LLP as a partner in the Financial Services group. Her practice is concentrated in the areas of commercial finance, structured finance, and equipment leasing and finance. In particular, Goldberg focuses on complex aircraft financing and leasing transactions of both commercial and corporate aircraft. She represents financial institutions, including commercial and investment banks, leasing and finance companies, monoline insurers, and public and private corporate entities. Goldberg joins Blank Rome from the New York office of Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP, where she practiced in the Corporate Department.

Canadian independent equipment finance company, Element Financial Corporation, announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of TLSI Holdings Inc., the holding company of TLS Fleet Management (“TLS”), from Scotiabank and the company's other minority shareholders for aggregate consideration of approximately C$146.7 million plus debt. The transaction provides Element with more than C$430 million of lease assets, and upon completion this transaction will make Element the largest independent Canadian leasing company, with total assets of approximately C$1 billion. TLS will continue to operate under the “TLS Fleet Management” brand name, within a new vertical of Element named “Element Fleet Leasing.” Scotiabank acquired majority control of TLS in 2009 after having previously held a minority ownership position.