David H. Kaufman concentrates in derivatives and commodities transactions, mergers and acquisitions and private equity financings. He also has extensive experience with reorganization and insolvency matters.

Mr. Kaufman has extensive experience with a broad array of transactions in the derivatives and commodities markets. Mr. Kaufman works closely with the firm's financial institution clients in the equity and credit derivative markets, where his activities are concentrated on assisting the firm's clients in designing and structuring new products and evaluating the securities and commodities law issues implicated by the hedging and monetization techniques associated with these products. His work in this area often involves counseling financial institution clients regarding the particular regulatory, tax, accounting or economic objectives of a new product. He has represented numerous funds and individuals in negotiating and documenting equity derivative transactions designed to hedge and/or monetize large or illiquid share positions. He also works closely with the many large commodities trading firms, focusing in particular on transactions involving energy, precious and base metals, currencies and agricultural products. His work in these areas has involved structuring and documenting trading and financing transactions, together with associated margin and other collateral arrangements.

A significant aspect of Mr. Kaufman's work in the derivatives and commodities field involves assisting clients in assessing and mitigating the credit and various trading risks that are integral to derivatives and commodities transactions. In addressing risk management issues, Mr. Kaufman has acquired extensive experience in structuring complex collateral arrangements and liquidation and setoff provisions, and in analyzing such arrangement and provisions under the UCC, other applicable lien laws, the federal bankruptcy code and other insolvency regimes.

In his mergers and acquisitions work, Mr. Kaufman represents both strategic and financial market participants, as well as mezzanine lenders, private equity funding sources and key management personnel. Mr. Kaufman's work in the private equity field also includes representing emerging (primarily technology) companies and venture capital investors in such companies. Mr. Kaufman frequently counsels holders of restricted or otherwise illiquid capital stock regarding securities law issues relating to the ownership and transfer of such stock.

Mr. Kaufman is actively involved with the Committee on Futures Regulation, Association of the Bar of the City of New York. Mr. Kaufman speaks frequently on topics, including derivatives, securities and structured products issues.

Mr. Kaufman has been ranked as one of America’s leading capital markets – derivatives and structured products attorneys by Chambers USA and is listed in Best Lawyers in America 2008.

Mr. Kaufman received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard University, in 1983. In 1980 he received his B.A., summa cum laude, from the University of Rochester. He is admitted to practice in New York, and is a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, and The Association of the Bar of the City of New York.