Debbie A. Klis

Debbie A. Klis concentrates on transactional matters in an array of business, securities, and tax issues. She is known for her work with investment management companies, including the formation and operation of EB-5 immigration investment funds, hedge funds, private equity funds, SPACs, real estate funds, oil and gas funds, and international master-feeder structures. Ms. Klis also has significant experience with financial products, including derivatives, and global equity offerings with multimillion-dollar deal values. Her clients include placement agents, issuers, broker-dealers, investment banks and multinational financial institutions, funds, investment advisers, investment companies, and banks.

Ms. Klis represents developers and others seeking to use foreign investment funds under the EB-5 program to fund their projects, either through the formation of a Regional Center or by joining with an existing Regional Center. She handles all legal aspects of the preparation and filing of Regional Center designation and Regional Center amendment applications, including project business plans, securities offering documents, and corporate documents for compliance with the EB-5 program requirements, and in consulting and advising clients on the EB-5 program as an alternative source of funding for their real estate development or company needs.

Ms. Klis represents developers and others seeking to use foreign investment funds under the EB-5 program to fund their projects, either through the formation of a Regional Center or by joining with an existing Regional Center. She handles all legal aspects of the preparation and filing of Regional Center designation and Regional Center amendment applications, including project business plans, securities offering documents, and corporate documents for compliance with the EB-5 program requirements, and in consulting and advising clients on the EB-5 program as an alternative source of funding for their real estate development or company needs.

Ms. Klis also advises equity sponsors, their portfolio companies, and registered and unregistered funds on issues involving the Securities Act of 1933, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Adviser Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the Commodity Futures Act. She has extensive experience with private securities offerings, including PIPEs, and major high-yield transactions and investment-grade debt offerings.

Utilizing her LL.M. in tax, Ms. Klis is able to identify potential tax issues and available federal and state tax credits, including New Markets Tax Credits, and work with members of the firm’s Tax Group to advise her clients.