Charles A. Ognibene serves as a team lead of the firm's Transportation, Automotive and Logistics industry group. He practices in the area of corporate law. Mr. Ognibene has extensive experience closing deals, including capital market transactions, loan originations and workouts, as well as helping banks in product development and portfolio projects. He has a deep understanding of the auto finance industry, advising both wholesale and retail finance matters across the country. He provides strategic counsel to banks, finance companies and captives on related matters. He advises on commercial and consumer pool sales, as well as loan origination and dealer loan workouts. Mr. Ognibene also leverages his broad commercial background in litigation matters involving his clients.
Mr. Ognibene is a cum laude graduate of Boston College Law School and a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Massachusetts, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
Areas of Practice
Corporate Law
Capital Markets
Financial Institutions
Auto Financing
Representative Matters
Represented Huntington Bank as agent and lead lender in connection with its $360 million syndicated multiloan floorplan and senior credit facility with an automobile dealership with locations in Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana.
Represented Truist Bank in $200 million comprehensive financing to New England multistate automotive dealer group, representing a significant increase to an earlier loan.
Counsel to Huntington Bank as agent and book runner in $450 million syndicated multi-loan facility to Midwest-based large auto dealer group.
Counsel to Huntington Bank as agent and book runner in $370 million financing to one of New England’s largest auto dealer groups.
Counsel to lead lender to large mid-Atlantic auto dealership group.
Admissions
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Connecticut
Education
- Boston College Law School, J.D., cum laude
- International Law Review - University of Massachusetts, B.A., summa cum laude
- Phi Beta Kappa
Experience
Duane Morris LLP
- PartnerLeClairRyan PLLC
- MemberEdwards Wildman
- Counsel/PartnerGoldstein and Manello
- Associate/Partner
Professional Activities
Loan Syndicated and Trading Association's (LSTA)
Honors and Awards
Listed in The Best Lawyers in America, 2016-2023
Listed in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business
AV Preeminent® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell®
Selected Publications
Author, "A Spotter's Guide to Dealer Trouble," Edwards Wildman Bulletin, 2008
Author, "The Sky is Falling; the (Blue) Sky is Falling," Edwards Wildman Bulletin, 2001
Quoted, "Dealer Mortgage Woes," Automotive News, March 15, 2010
Quoted, "Trend in Loan Markups is 2.5%," Automotive News, August 8, 2005
Quoted, "What Industry Leaders are Saying," Automotive Digest Weekly, July 18, 2005
Quoted, "Court: Dealer Must Disclose Negative Equity," Automotive News, July 11, 2005
Quoted, "Trouble Persists with Lease Liability," Automotive News, July 12, 2004
Quoted, "Lessors in New York State Struggle with Liability," Automotive News, March 29, 2004
Quoted, "GMAC Settles Suit, but Opponents will Push for Flat-Fee Loan Markups," Automotive News, February 16, 2004
Quoted, "Rhode Island Limits Auto Lessors' Liability," Automotive News, July 14, 2003