Kevin J. Simard understands that real speed under pressure is only possible through disciplined execution and deep preparation. As a partner at Choate Hall & Stewart, Simard recently demonstrated this during a complex asset-based lending (ABL) financing in which the borrower provided a strict 30-day window to close. The deal involved an intricate ABL and term-loan structure and extensive diligence. By focusing tightly on his client’s specific risk priorities and approval processes, Simard’s team documented the transaction with such efficiency that it surprised even the borrower’s executive team.
“Precision stemmed from a team skilled in ABL structures,” Simard notes, “allowing us to stay focused on the issues that truly mattered.”
Simard’s professional philosophy is rooted in the transition from legal service provider to trusted business partner. He rejects a purely transactional approach, choosing instead to align with his clients’ internal guidelines and operational “hot buttons.”
This commitment is reflected in his high level of accessibility. He often takes client calls during early morning commutes because that is when they need him.
“I treat the work as a partnership, not a transaction,” Simard explains. “In a fast-moving market, that combination of deep understanding and personal trust is what keeps relationships strong.”
Beyond his legal acumen, Simard considers his ability to identify the “why” behind every deal point to be his “secret weapon.”
Because he works across the full life cycle of transactions, he understands how structures perform under stress. This gives him a sharp intuition for which issues are critical to a lender’s protection.
“That clarity is invaluable,” Simard says. “It allows me to move past precedent when it doesn’t fit and focus everyone on the points that actually drive successful outcomes.”
