Overview

Walter concentrates his practice in commercial and financing matters including public finance, representation of nonprofits (esp., private foundations), and insurance law. In the financing arena, he represents lenders and borrowers in both extension of credit and in the resolution of failed credits, and mezzanine lending. He also has a substantial nonprofit practice including extensive representation of exempt organizations in financing and other transactional matters and represents clients in the business of insurance as well as matters relating to claims against insolvent insurance carriers.

Representative Experience

  • A substantial portion of Mr. Ferst’s practice involves the representation of commercial lenders, both bank and non-bank, primarily in connection with secured transactions involving asset-based loans, syndicated credits, structured financed, and credit. enhancements for municipal financing.
  • Although the industries in which these lenders extend credit are varied, Mr. Ferst has considerable experience in the extension of credit facilities to the financial services industry, exempt organizations, student housing, and health care providers.
  • In addition, his representation of lenders includes advice and counsel regarding non-performing loans in forbearance or other workout settings.
  • He has for many years, represented a substantial nationally recognized private foundation in matters relating to nonprofit and for-profit joint business ventures, new markets tax credit financing, an extension of credit and credit guarantees in connection with mission-related programs, Program Related Investments, and corporate governance issues. 
  • He also has extensive experience in structuring privatized student housing projects at numerous campuses of the Pennsylvanian State System of Higher Education and closed a series of transactions involving public financing in excess of $1.25 billion.
  • He has substantial experience representing claimants in insurance insolvencies including the representation of insurers, reinsurers, servicers, policyholders, and other claimants. From time to time, Mr. Ferst has been engaged as special counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance regarding insurance insolvency matters.
  • He represents a number of clients in matters relating to insurance, including insurers, insureds, self-insureds, reinsurance, and insurance pools including the formation and representation for over thirty years of a pooled insurance trust authorized under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Acts now constituted of in excess of twenty members.

Professional & Community Activities

  • Member of the Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Past President of Hillel of Greater Philadelphia
  • Past President of Society Hill Synagogue
  • Past President and Trustee of Jewish Learning Venture

Professional Recognition

  • Rated AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®
  • Listed in The Bond Buyer’s Municipal Marketplace (“The Red Book”)

Representative Experience

  • A substantial portion of Mr. Ferst’s practice involves the representation of commercial lenders, both bank and non-bank, primarily in connection with secured transactions involving asset-based loans, syndicated credits, structured financed, and credit. enhancements for municipal financing.
  • Although the industries in which these lenders extend credit are varied, Mr. Ferst has considerable experience in the extension of credit facilities to the financial services industry, exempt organizations, student housing, and health care providers.
  • In addition, his representation of lenders includes advice and counsel regarding non-performing loans in forbearance or other workout settings.
  • He has for many years, represented a substantial nationally recognized private foundation in matters relating to nonprofit and for-profit joint business ventures, new markets tax credit financing, an extension of credit and credit guarantees in connection with mission-related programs, Program Related Investments, and corporate governance issues. 
  • He also has extensive experience in structuring privatized student housing projects at numerous campuses of the Pennsylvanian State System of Higher Education and closed a series of transactions involving public financing in excess of $1.25 billion.
  • He has substantial experience representing claimants in insurance insolvencies including the representation of insurers, reinsurers, servicers, policyholders, and other claimants. From time to time, Mr. Ferst has been engaged as special counsel to the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance regarding insurance insolvency matters.
  • He represents a number of clients in matters relating to insurance, including insurers, insureds, self-insureds, reinsurance, and insurance pools including the formation and representation for over thirty years of a pooled insurance trust authorized under the Pennsylvania Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Disease Acts now constituted of in excess of twenty members.

Insights