ELLEN PESCH is co-leader of the OTC Derivatives industry group at Sidley. Ellen has more than 20 years of experience representing capital market participants with respect to structuring, negotiating and documenting derivatives and structured finance transactions. She has represented clients in a wide variety of derivatives transactions ranging from interest rates, currencies, commodities and credit to total return, inflation, weather, catastrophic and mortality/longevity transactions. Ellen also has significant experience with the various Dodd-Frank regulatory issues as they impact the derivatives market, as well as the regulatory issues associated with the intersection of the insurance and derivatives markets.
Ellen is described as a “skilled derivatives attorney” who “understands the transactions from front to back, as well as the documentation.” She has been recognized by clients and fellow lawyers nationally in the field of Capital Markets: Structured Products in Chambers Global (USA, 2011–2014), Derivatives in Chambers Global (USA, 2015–2024), Capital Markets: Structured Products in Chambers USA (USA – Nationwide, 2011–2014), and in Derivatives in Chambers USA (USA – Nationwide, 2015–2024). Chambers USA 2021 notes that Ellen “is great to work with, she is very commercial and she helps her clients solve seemingly intractable problems.” Sources also mention that “she really understands the markets, not just the documents, and she can dovetail her regulatory knowledge into transactions.” In addition, Ellen was recognized as a 2024 “Top Women of Law” by Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, has been recognized in the 16th annual BTI Client Service All-Stars report, and has been appointed to the Expert Panel of P.R.I.M.E. Finance.