Banking attorney Hebba Aref joins Bodman

Bodman PLC is pleased to announce that experienced banking attorney Hebba Aref has joined the firm as a member based in the Detroit office.

Aref represents financial institutions in commercial lending transactions, including the structuring, negotiating and documenting of loan transactions, including syndicated loans, bilateral loans, subordinated loans and participations. She also has experience assisting corporate clients with borrowing and re-financing transactions, including secured and unsecured credit facilities, asset-based lending facilities, leveraged lending facilities, mezzanine financings, project financings, aircraft financings, acquisition financings, and lease financings.

“Hebba’s background in banking, commercial finance, and aviation finance law is a perfect fit for Bodman” said Firm Chairman Ralph E. McDowell. “Her years of experience working internationally with large global law firms add a dimension to our practice. We are thrilled to have her join us.”

Before joining Bodman, Aref practiced in the New York, Minneapolis, and Palo Alto offices of Dorsey & Whitney, where she was a member of the commercial finance group representing lenders, borrowers, and private equity firms in a variety of transactions. Prior to that position, she practiced with global law firm DLA Piper in Kuwait, Dubai, and London, where she advised local and international clients on complex corporate and finance matters. As part of her diversified business law practice, Aref was seconded to Emirates, where she worked with the in-house legal team on aircraft deliveries, redeliveries, and other finance matters.

Aref was named the 2013 Minnesota State Bar Association “North Star Lawyer” and was named to Lawyers of Color’s inaugural Hotlist for the Midwest Region. She is fluent in spoken Arabic and conversant in Spanish. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan-Dearborn.