Driving Innovation in Fintech and Consumer Finance, Gelinas Focuses on Structured Finance and Asset-Backed Products

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, the premier provider of legal services to technology, life sciences, and growth enterprises worldwide, today announced that Charles (CJ) Gelinas has joined the firm’s Corporate Finance practice in New York. A recognized leader in fintech and consumer finance, Gelinas strengthens the firm’s capabilities in structured finance and asset-backed securities.

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Charles (CJ) Gelinas, Partner, Wilson Sonsini

“CJ’s arrival enhances our ability to serve clients across fintech, crypto, and other sectors requiring sophisticated structured finance experience,” said Doug Clark, managing partner at Wilson Sonsini. “As clients navigate increasingly complex financings—from securitizations to non-recourse structures—his strategic vision and sound judgment will help us continue to support innovative business models and reinforce our position as a market leader.”

Gelinas joins Wilson Sonsini from Dentons, where he was a partner in the Capital Markets practice and led the U.S. Distributed Ledger Technology group in connection with the issuance and financing of digital assets. He represents issuers, underwriters, lenders, and borrowers in a wide range of asset-backed securities and structured products, including warehouse transactions, asset-based financings, and master repurchase, or repo, agreements. His recent work includes rehypothecation, re-repo, and repledge facilities, as well as securitizations of non-traditional assets such as student income-share agreements, income-based repayment loans, NIL contracts, and home equity-appreciation instruments.

In mortgage servicer finance, Gelinas advises servicers and investors on the acquisition, disposition, and financing of mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), servicing advance receivables, and related assets. His experience includes structuring senior secured MSR lending facilities, master-feeder joint ventures, nonvoting tracking stock, and other servicing arrangements.

Gelinas has advised multiple banks on more than $6 billion in variable funding, term, and money market fund-eligible securities backed by mortgage servicer receivables and servicing advance receivables, and guided an investment bank through a landmark $2.5 billion offshore rehypothecation facility. A career marked by accomplishments such as these has earned him recognition by The Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in fintech (2019–2022) and structured finance (2021–2022).

Gelinas earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. He serves as an adjunct professor at Kean University, teaching sociology of law, government, and society, and at Eastern University’s College of Business and Leadership, where he teaches business and finance law.

“Wilson Sonsini’s Corporate Finance group has a well-earned reputation for creating and closing innovative, first-of-their-kind transactions,” said Gelinas. “I’m excited to build on that tradition by helping clients navigate the rapidly evolving structured finance landscape. Together, we can craft strategies and solutions that address today’s challenges while seizing tomorrow’s opportunities.”

Gelinas’ arrival further strengthens the firm’s momentum in New York, building on the recent addition of Stanford (Stan) Renas, a partner recognized for his work in project finance, particularly in energy and commodities.

About Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

For more than 60 years, Wilson Sonsini’s services and legal disciplines have focused on serving the principal challenges faced by the management and boards of directors of business enterprises. The firm is nationally recognized as a leading provider to growing and established clients seeking legal counsel to complete sophisticated corporate and technology transactions; manage governance and enterprise-scale matters; assist with intellectual property development, protection, and IP-driven transactions; represent them in contested disputes; and/or advise them on antitrust or other regulatory matters. With deep roots in Silicon Valley, Wilson Sonsini has more than 1,000 attorneys and 17 offices in 16 technology, business, and regulatory markets across the United States, Asia, and Europe. For more information, please visit www.wsgr.com.

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