Martin Teckler joined Blank Rome as a partner in the Finance group in the Washington, D.C. office. He joined the firm from Kelley Drye & Warren.

As former deputy general counsel for the U.S. Small Business Administration and senior counsel for the SBA’s Business Lending, Small Business Investment Company and Development Company programs, Teckler routinely prepared security transactions and interacted with sources of lending and venture capital for small businesses.

In his private practice, Teckler primarily represents lenders that participate in government-guaranteed loan programs — particularly SBA and U.S. Department of Agriculture programs, among other agencies, that make assistance available to small and mid-sized businesses. He also represents private equity funds, which are often licensed as Small Business Investment Companies and regulated by the SBA, that make investments in the middle-market and small businesses.

Teckler has also structured multiple venture capital and private equity investments by SBICs and other funds in a manner that complies with applicable SBA regulations.

“We are thrilled to welcome Martin to the Firm,” said Alan J. Hoffman, chairman and managing partner. “Martin’s previous role as deputy GC for the SBA for more than a decade brings substantive, first-hand knowledge of what it takes to close an SBA-related transaction to Blank Rome. His insider experience at the SBA will be an excellent addition to the team’s capabilities, and we look forward to offering his knowledge of funding sources and related programs to our clients.”

In addition to his work with small to mid-size businesses and lenders, Teckler also has experience in government contacts, mergers and acquisitions, securities and securitization and secondary market work in securities generated out of loan programs where originators sell portions of loans in secondary market transactions or securitization transactions.