Lancaster
717.399.6632
610.236.4176 fax
wrk@stevenslee.com

Wes concentrates his practice in the representation of financial institutions in connection with capital formation, demutualization, securities matters, securitization of assets and loan transactions.

He was one of Stevens & Lee’s principal lawyers in connection with the $1.2 billion of public debt raised by Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., in its acquisition of approximately 286 branches and related assets and liabilities in New England from FleetBoston, Inc., in 1999. The financing was accomplished in approximately 14 weeks and involved three public offerings of senior debt and subordinated debt with detachable warrants and a $500 million syndicated bank credit facility.

Wes was also the lead attorney in connection with the issuance by Sovereign Bancorp, Inc., of preferred stock and trust preferred securities in connection with raising $620 million in four separate offerings in six weeks to finance the acquisition of Independence Community Bank Corp. in 2006.

Additionally, he was one of the lead attorneys in the merger conversion of Educators Mutual Insurance Company and Eastern Insurance Company and the demutualization of Lebanon Mutual Insurance Company.

Wes has represented numerous commercial banks in connection with commercial, construction and asset-based loans and letter of credit financings. He has assisted PHEAA and other financial institutions in connection with the issuance of asset-backed securities.

Wes has also assisted other public clients in offerings of stock and senior and subordinated debt securities.

Education:
The Dickinson School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1980
Allegheny College, B.A., magna cum laude, 1977

Bar Admissions:
Pennsylvania

Professional and Civic Affiliations:
Lancaster County Bar Association
Pennsylvania Bar Association
American Bar Association