Michael Vernace is a partner in Morrison Foerster’s San Francisco office and member of the firm’s Finance and Private Equity Investments + Buyouts Groups.

Mike’s practice focuses on supporting sponsor-borrowers along with additional lender-side representations and borrower-side bankruptcy remote financings. He regularly advises clients through syndicated finance and other commercial lending transactions, including acquisition, leveraged, investment-grade, asset-based, corporate, receivables, net asset value, and hybrid financings. He has extensive experience representing prominent private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies in complex domestic and cross-border financings, including acquisition financings and refinancings. He has led transactions covering a range of industries, including healthcare and life sciences, tech, telecommunications, and media and entertainment, among others.

Mike was recently recognized by The Legal 500 Green Guide: United States 2024 for his efforts in promoting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, and he brings a wealth of experience from his previous role in another global law firm’s banking and credit group.

Mike received his J.D. from Duke University and his B.S. in business administration, summa cum laude, from Boston University. He is admitted to practice in both California and New York.