Partner,
Cahill, Gordon & Reindel LLP
Growing up in the Bronx, Javier Ortiz dreamed of becoming a New York Yankee. Although that dream quickly faded, his plan B — becoming a lawyer — came to fruition. Today, he serves as a partner at Cahill, Gordon & Reindel LLP, where asset-based lending is a central focus of his practice.
Since being elected partner in October, Ortiz has played a key role in public transactions totaling $6 billion in aggregate principal amount of loans and commitments. His practice concentrates heavily on ABL transactions, where he acts as the day-today lead on secured loans, including funded term loans and revolvers, for major institutions such as Bank of America, JPMorgan, Deutsche Bank and Citi.
Ortiz is passionate about the teamwork involved in closing transactions. He feels fortunate to work at Cahill, where he handles some of the largest and most complex ABL deals in the industry. “I love the ABL industry because of the people I get to work with,” Ortiz says. “It has some of the smartest and most thoughtful individuals who can take complicated transactions and find solutions that work for everyone.”
LANDMARK DEALS: TENNECO AND INGRAM MICRO
One of Ortiz’s proudest accomplishments was his leadership in Apollo funds’ acquisition of Tenneco in November 2022. The complex, cross-border transaction involved more than $1 billion in ABL commitments for Tenneco, one of the world’s largest auto parts manufacturers with 93 facilities across six continents. Navigating multiple client banks and jurisdictions with varying rules and collateral requirements as well as integrating ABL into an intricate internal cash management system were just a few of the challenges the deal presented. As sole outside counsel and lead advisor to the banks, Cahill relied on Ortiz to execute the deal seamlessly while he coordinated with numerous local counsel team.
“It was one of the largest and most complex ABL transactions I’ve worked on,” Ortiz says. “There was no playbook for many of the challenges, but we were able to find solutions through collaboration and by applying core ABL principles.”
Another career-defining transaction was Platinum Equity’s acquisition of Ingram Micro. This was yet another massive and complex deal for a multi-national company that required a unique structure to work with jurisdictions that were not traditionally ABL-friendly for collateral. Ortiz helped lead a Cahill team that coordinated with local counsels to come up with innovative options including the ability to utilize an accounts receivable purchase agreement to transfer receivables to more favorable jurisdictions.
“This was the largest ABL transaction to date, and with so few precedents to guide us, we had to innovate every step of the way,” Ortiz says. Despite the complexity, Ortiz successfully managed local counsel in several jurisdictions to get the deal done.
MENTORING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ABL ATTORNEYS
Ortiz is deeply committed to shaping the future of the ABL industry by training the next generation of lawyers. He was instrumental in creating the firm’s ABL training module, which introduces young associates to the nuances of secured lending transactions. Ortiz emphasizes the importance of saying “yes” to new opportunities and gaining as much experience as possible, a philosophy that has helped him rise in his own career. “There are so many different opportunities in this field, and it’s important not to limit yourself to one area,” Ortiz says. “You don’t know what you’re going to love until you try it.”
Ortiz’s efforts have paid off, as multiple junior associates have chosen to specialize in ABL work at Cahill, thanks to his guidance. He believes that nurturing the next generation is essential for the growth of the industry. “I’m at the point in my career where mentoring others is important, whether through formal training or more informal means,” Ortiz says. “One day, I hope to be in the position where I’m writing a recommendation for someone receiving this award.”
CHANGING ATTITUDES TOWARD WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Ortiz has noticed a shift in attitudes among the next generation of leaders regarding work-life balance. While he acknowledges the importance of face time in the office for young lawyers’ development, he believes flexible work arrangements benefit mental health and overall job satisfaction.
“I see today’s leaders prioritizing what can make people’s lives easier, and I think that’s great,” Ortiz says. “It benefits everyone in both the short and long run.”
Outside of work, Ortiz’s life revolves around his family. With two young boys, ages four and six, his weekends are spent coaching and cheering them on in youth sports. Ortiz finds that the teamwork and discipline he values in his career also apply to raising children and mentoring young athletes.
Ortiz’s career trajectory is a testament to his dedication to the ABL industry and his commitment to fostering the next generation of legal talent. As he looks ahead, he remains focused on continuing the growth of ABL and inspiring others to take on leadership roles within the industry.
“I’m excited about the future of ABL and hope to continue growing our team at Cahill,” he says. “The industry is expanding, and I’m proud to be part of that evolution.” •
