AASHIQ JIVANI focuses his practice on leveraged finance and structured finance transactions, including sponsor-backed acquisition financings, securitizations, and other complex commercial lending structures—particularly in the energy and infrastructure sectors. He has been involved in innovative financing deals at the forefront of the industry, including transactions recognized as first-of-their-kind. Aashiq advises private equity sponsors, borrowers, and lenders in acquisition financings and other secured lending matters. His experience includes representing various parties in asset-backed financings across diverse asset classes, often devising creative financing solutions for infrastructure and energy-related assets.
In addition to his leveraged and structured finance work, Aashiq also brings experience in mergers and acquisitions, particularly for clients in the energy and infrastructure industries. His practice further includes advising on shareholder activism and corporate defense matters, working alongside Sidley’s top-ranked Shareholder Activism practice. Aashiq has helped public company clients prepare for and defend against activist campaigns, proxy fights, contested takeovers, and other strategic threats.
Aashiq is deeply committed to pro bono work and community service. While in law school, he completed more than 500 hours of pro bono service for the Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program, working in conjunction with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. At Sidley, Aashiq’s pro bono contributions include representing U.S. military veterans seeking to seal or expunge criminal records and assisting a local nonprofit in helping rehabilitated former offenders restore their right to vote. He is also an active associate in Sidley’s Emerging Enterprises Pro Bono Program, through which he has advised mission-driven companies in emerging and developing countries, such as PowerUp and Legendary Foods Africa, on matters of corporate governance and financing to support their growth and social impact.
Aashiq obtained his J.D. from Harvard Law School, where he served in multiple leadership roles, including as an editor of the Harvard Business Law Review and a board member of the HLS Texas Club, the HLS First Class, and the HLS Student Mental Health Association. He earned his B.B.A. in finance and marketing, summa cum laude, from the University of Texas at San Antonio Honors College, where he was recognized in 2018 with the “University Life Award for Most Outstanding Student in the College of Business” and the “Distinguished Business Student Award.” In 2022, Aashiq was named a “Future Rainmaker” by Lateral Link, an industry recognition awarded to a select group of young attorneys nationwide who demonstrate exceptional promise in client development, leadership, and long-term business generation. In 2025, he completed the Emerging Leader Development Program at Columbia Business School, sharpening his business and management acumen through coursework in finance, strategy, and innovation.