Donna Parisi
Image of Donna Parisi

Donna Parisi

Partner

Email

dparisi@aoshearman.com

Phone

+1 212 848 7367

Offices

New York

Social

LinkedIn

V-CARD
Donna is a global leader in the financial markets and financial institutions sector, helping clients navigate the complex and dynamic world of financial innovation. 

She advises clients on derivatives, structured products, securitization, capital markets, and commodities transactions. Whether it is creating new financial products, negotiating and documenting OTC derivative contracts, or complying with regulatory changes, Donna works closely with her clients to understand their objectives and deliver tailored and effective solutions across all asset classes and sectors. She has the privilege of representing some of the world's leading financial institutions, as well as hedge funds, private investment funds, and corporate clients.

As Co-Head of the firm's Global Financial Markets practice and Financial Institutions Sector Lead, Donna is instrumental in defining the firm's strategic direction and enhancing client service offerings in these sectors. Her leadership also involves cultivating robust relationships with various banks, ensuring the firm stays at the cutting edge of financial innovation and client service excellence.

In addition, Donna co-leads the firm's Family Office initiative, which is dedicated to fostering family offices' long-term, multigenerational success with a focus on education and regular programming. The multidisciplinary team of lawyers she works with deeply understands the complexities and the legal, business, and personal challenges involved in family ownership. With over 100 years in the family office space, the team recognizes that each family office is unique. Under her leadership, the firm is hosting the fifth annual Family Office Summit, bringing together family office principals and senior-level executives to explore key issues impacting the family office space.

Thanks to her clients, Donna has been highly ranked by Chambers USA: Derivatives for seventeen consecutive years. She has also been inducted into the Legal 500 US Hall of Fame for Finance: Structured Finance - Derivatives and Structured Products and named as a Highly Regarded Lawyer for Capital Markets: Derivatives by IFLR1000.

Beyond her professional achievements, Donna is committed to advancing career opportunities for all through skill building, mentoring, and networking.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Leading cryptocurrency investment firm and brokerage firm on transacting in cryptocurrency-related derivatives.
  • Five international banks in negotiating highly structured repurchase transactions with Banco Central de la República Argentina (BCRA). These transactions were crucial in bolstering the U.S. dollar reserves of BCRA at a critical time in Argentina’s history, increasing BCRA’s capacity to confront external shocks and minimizing potential disruption in the local market.
  • Liberty Global and Discovery Communications on equity derivatives transactions in connection with their acquisition of five million common shares each of Lions Gate Entertainment. This highly innovative deal was one of the first equity derivatives transactions executed concurrently with the acquisition of a strategic stake in a U.S. public company.
  • A group of financial institutions regarding commodity hedges in the context of oil and gas company bankruptcies, including close-out issues and hedging issues in connection with new business with debtor-in-possession such as DIP and Exit Facility secured financings.
  • A global financial institution in relation to a USD75 million margin loan financing with the margin consisting of three equities, and security governed by English law, New York law and Ontario law.
  • A global financial institution and its affiliates globally regarding the implementation of margin for uncleared swaps, one of the last remaining Dodd-Frank reforms.

Published Work

  • Parisi, Donna, (2021), “We Don’t Need a New Regulator to Have Better Crypto Regulation”, New York: CoinDesk

Leadership Positions And Professional Affiliations

  • Member, New York State Department of Financial Services Financial Innovation Advisory Board
  • Member, The Global Blockchain Business Council Board of Directors
  • Member, Committee on Commodities and Futures Law, New York State Bar Association

Recognition

“Excellent reputation for her broad derivatives practice and, as head of the fintech initiative for the firm, she is also experienced in matters involving cryptocurrency.”
Chambers Global, 2024
“Donna is an excellent lawyer.”
Chambers Global, 2024

Awards

  • Highly ranked by Chambers USA: Derivatives, 2017–2024
  • Women in FinTech Powerlist, Innovate Finance, 2018–2023
  • “Hall of Famer” in Finance: Structured Finance - Derivatives and Structured Products, Legal 500 US, 2017-2023
  • “Highly Regarded Lawyer” for Capital Markets: Derivatives, IFLR1000, 2018–2023
  • Americas IFLR1000 “Women Leaders”, IFLR 1000, 2021-2023
  • Selected for the Finance Advisory Board of Take the Lead, and played a central role in the inaugural 50 Women Can Change the World Program, 2019
  • Inspiring Role Model in Promoting Gender Diversity in the Legal Profession, Chambers Women in Law Awards: USA, 2018

Qualifications

Admissions

State of New York, USA, 1994

Academic

Bachelor of Arts, Vassar College, 1989
J.D., magna cum laude, Boston College Law School, 1993, Order of the Coif
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.