David M.A. Amato

Partner Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
David M.A. Amato

David M.A. Amato

Biography

David Amato focuses on corporate finance and is co-chair of our asset-based lending team. As counsel to various foreign and domestic financial institutions, private credit funds, direct/non-bank lenders and other credit providers, he has significant experience in sophisticated debt financing transactions and has led numerous multijurisdictional, international and domestic debt financing mandates (including cash-flow, asset-based lending, leverage finance, specialty finance, debtor-in possession financings,  project finance and high-yield debt offerings). As a leading member of the asset-based lending team (an area for which we are recognized as a leading firm), David is a trusted advisor to a number of Canadian and US banks and private credit/direct lenders who provide asset-based lending.

He also has extensive insolvency and restructuring experience acting on behalf of creditors.

Professional experience

Representative experience

Representative experience

David has acted recently in the following matters:

  • Represented the agent and lenders in connection with a US$750 million global senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility in favour of a leading global distributor of pipe, valves and fittings (and other infrastructure products and services) to diversified energy sectors
  • Acted as Canadian counsel to the direct/non-bank lender agent in connection with a US$140 million revolving credit facility supporting the working capital needs of a corporate group that designs, manufactures and markets a global portfolio of consumer lifestyle cooking brands
  • Represented the agent in connection with a US$200 million cross border asset-based revolving credit facility in favour of a bus and transportation services company
  • Represented the agents and arrangers in connection with a Cdn$1.6 billion asset-based revolving credit facility and a Cdn$600 million term loan facility to support the acquisition and ongoing working capital needs of a Canadian national home improvement retailer
  • Acted as Canadian counsel to the agents in connection with a US$4.5 billion asset-based revolving credit facility in favour of a US steel manufacturer to, in part, finance the acquisition of a Canadian steel manufacturer
  • Represented a private credit lender in connection with a Cdn$100 million credit facility supporting the ongoing working capital needs of Canada's largest bookstore retailer
  • Acted as Canadian counsel to a direct/non-bank lender in connection with a US$400 million super priority senior secured debtor-in-possession loan facility (and subsequent exit facility) in favour of a large personal care consumer products corporation
  • Represented the agent in connection with a US$50 million asset-based revolving credit facility to finance the ongoing working capital needs of global supply-side exchange platform for advertising and advertising technology
  • Represented the lender in connection with a Cdn$50 million equipment financing facility in favour of a Canadian miner to facilitate the acquisition of railcars
  • Represented the lender in connection with a US$75 million term loan facility in favour of a global provider of marine dry bulk cargo handling and delivery services and owner and operator of self-unloading vessels

Rankings and recognitions

Rankings and recognitions

  • Best Lawyers in Canada: Equipment Finance Law, 2010-2025; Asset-Based Lending Practice, 2018-2025; Banking and Finance Law, 2023-2025
  • Chambers Canada, Nationwide: Banking and Finance, Chambers and Partners, 2016-2025 
  • Legal 500 Canada: Banking & Finance (Leading Partners), 2025 
  • Chambers Global, Canada: Banking and Finance, Chambers and Partners, 2018-2025
  • Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Banking and Financial Institutions, 2022-2025 
  • International Financial Law Review 1000, Canada: Banking; Private Equity (Highly Regarded), 2017-2023
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, 2012-2024: recommended in Asset-Based Lending; Banking and Financial Institutions

Education

Education

  • LL.B., University of Windsor, 1998
  • B.A. (Hons.), University of Toronto, 1994

Admissions

Admissions

  • Ontario 2000

Memberships and activities

Memberships and activities

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Upper Canada
  • Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships
  • Association of Commercial Finance Attorneys
  • Turnaround Management Association
  • Association for Corporate Growth

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