Stephen D. Browning

Steve is the managing partner of the Vorys Houston office and previously served as chair of the firm's finance, energy and real estate group.

Steve practices primarily in the areas of finance, derivatives and real estate.  He has extensive experience in the representation of commercial banks and borrowers, both publicly and privately held, in a wide range of financing transactions, including syndicated loans, asset based loans, mezzanine and second tier financings, multicurrency transactions, structured finance, acquisition finance, general secured transactions, supply chain finance, loan restructurings, letters of credit, and intercreditor and subordination agreements.  Steve regularly represents public and private companies in the drafting and negotiation of various types of complex commercial agreements.  On the borrower side, he has worked extensively on retail and restaurant industry transactions.

Steve represents numerous financial institutions and public and private companies in derivatives activities, including advising on Dodd-Frank regulatory requirements and has a broad range of experience in the negotiation of derivative transactions and structured financial products, including transactions under the ISDA Master Agreement and related schedules and annexes, including credit support documentation.

Steve’s practice also includes representing clients, including residential homebuilders, in the purchase and sale of commercial real estate and real estate finance.

Steve also advises clients, particularly in the food industry, in connection with master supply and services agreements, and in general business transactions.

Career highlights include:

• Advising Abercrombie & Fitch Co. in connection with its $500 million ABL facility, including a $100 million European sub-facility
• Negotiation of multiple billion dollar syndicated multicurrency credit facilities, both secured and unsecured, for publicly held borrowers
• Advising clients in the negotiation of foreign exchange, commodity and interest rate derivatives transactions
• Before joining Vorys, Steve was a corporate loan officer for Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company in New York

Steve is a frequent speaker on Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code.

Steve received his J.D. cum laude from Boston College Law School, where he was executive editor of the Boston College Law Review.  He received his B.A. from Williams College.

Honors & Recognitions

Columbus CEO, Top Lawyers in Columbus, 2010-2012

The Best Lawyers in America, Real Estate Law, 2007-2025

Ohio Super Lawyers Rising Stars, Business/Corporate, 2005-2006

The Columbus Bar Association’s President’s Award, 2005

Fellow of the Columbus Bar Foundation since 2000

Martindale-Hubbell AV Peer Review Rated

Professional & Community Activities

Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo, Wine Competition Committee, Commiteeman, 2014-2017

Williams College Alumni Association of Central Ohio, President, 2003-2012

The Columbus Academy, Board of Trustees, 2008-2014

Friends of the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Board of Trustees, 2002-2004

Columbus Bar Association, Chair, Real Property Committee, 2003-2005