Overview

Sophia Agathis is an asset finance attorney in Holland & Knight's New York office. Ms. Agathis' practice spans a wide array of debt financing transactions, including the representation of U.S. banks, foreign banks, credit funds and other institutional lenders in secured and unsecured financing arrangements, particularly in the asset-based lending market.

Ms. Agathis' work negotiating and drafting credit agreements across all industries is informed by experience she gained while seconded to the North American headquarters of Norway's largest financial institution, where she structured and coordinated secured loans. In addition, Ms. Agathis has significant experience in structuring joint ventures in connection with a variety of U.S. and cross-border business transactions.

Prior to joining Holland & Knight, Ms. Agathis was an attorney at a leading New York law firm.

Representative Experience

  • Represented an independent drilling contractor in connection with a $550 million credit facility provided by a financial institution based in Texas
  • Represented Norway's largest financial institution in connection with a senior secured term loan facility guaranteed by a Houston-based publicly traded international petroleum service company to partially finance its purchase of 37 platform supply vessels
  • Represented a U.S.-based shipowner and operator of dry bulk vessels in connection with its $175 million upsize and extension of credit facility
  • Represented an integrated financial company in connection with its purchase of a controlling interest in a global investment firm
  • Represented a global operator of dry bulk vessels in connection with a $42.5 million revolving credit facility
  • Represented a European financial institution and export credit agency in connection with a $600 million acquisition bridge loan to acquire a South American seafood company
  • Represented a private credit fund in connection with a $391 million term loan to refinance existing debt of a U.S.-based offshore supply company
  • Represented an asset manager in connection with a joint venture with a NASDAQ-listed global provider of comprehensive maritime solutions to acquire, own and operate four newbuilding bulk carriers
  • Represented a maritime asset management firm in connection with a joint venture with a leading private markets asset management firm and a fund management firm to acquire three handysize refined product tankers

Credentials

Education
  • Fordham University School of Law, J.D.
  • Swarthmore College, B.A.
Bar Admissions/Licenses
  • New York
Honors & Awards
  • Rising Star, Private Debt Investor, 2024
  • Rising Star, New York Super Lawyers magazine, 2023-2024
  • The Legal 500 USA, Rising Star, Transport: Shipping – Finance, 2023-2024
  • Lawdragon 500 X – The Next Generation Guide, 2024
  • Finalist, Rising Star, Euromoney Legal Media Group Women in Business Law Award, Finance, 2024

Speaking Engagements

Credit Sources for Maritime Assets

Marine Money Ship Finance Forum / November 14, 2024

Ship and Aviation Finance: What's Similar, What's Different and What's New?

International Bar Association (IBA) Maritime and Transport Law Committee Conference / June 12, 2024

Developments in Maritime Finance

30th Annual HACC-NACC Shipping Conference / February 6, 2024

Credit for Shipping – More Sources, Structures, Risks and Opportunities

Marine Money Ship Finance Forum / November 16, 2023
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