Angela Fontana

ANGELA FONTANA serves as global co-leader of Sidley’s Global Finance practice. She focuses her practice on financing transactions and debt restructurings. Angela represents both borrowers and financial institutions, and has been involved in a wide variety of financing transactions in both the United States and abroad. Angela’s experience includes investment-grade lending, commercial paper facilities, letter of credit facilities, cash flow-based lending, asset-based lending, mezzanine financing, and workouts and restructurings.

Angela has been recognized by her peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in the practice areas of Banking and Finance Law and Corporate Law (2006–2022, 2025). She was named the Best Lawyers 2017 Banking and Finance Law “Lawyer of the Year” in Dallas/Fort Worth. Angela was recognized in Chambers USA for Texas Banking & Finance (2005–2024), in Chambers Global for USA Banking & Finance (2012–2024), and was selected as a finalist for the Chambers USA Women in Law Awards in the category of Finance (2012–2013). She was named by Lexology Index as a “Leading Practitioner” in Banking from 2007–2012. She was recommended in Legal 500 U.S. (2007, 2009–2010, 2014–2017), named a “Leading Lawyer” by IFLR1000 in U.S. Banking and Finance (2014–2016, 2019), and was included in the inaugural edition of the Guide to the World’s Leading Women in Business Law. She was also named a “Super Lawyer” by Texas Super Lawyers for both Banking and Securities & Corporate Finance (2003–2021, 2023–2025), as well as D Magazine’s “Best Lawyers in Dallas” (2011–2017, 2019–2021).

Angela’s experience since joining Sidley includes representing:

• Vector Capital in its AU$183 million acquisition of Bigtincan Holdings Limited (ASX: BTH), which is the result of a topping bid Vector launched in relation to a previously announced acquisition (pending).
• ZMC in its acquisition of a controlling stake of semiconductor silicon solutions and services company Pure Wafer.
• DCLI BidCo LLC in connection with its high-yield Rule 144A offering of US$500 million aggregate principal amount of 7.750% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2029.
• IGT in its US$6.3 billion sale of its Gaming & Digital business to Apollo Funds. 
• OMERS Life Sciences in the US$650 million strategic financing of Verona Pharm plc (Nasdaq: VRNA) together with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P., consisting of up to US$400 million in term loans and up to US$250 million in funding from the sale of a redeemable capped interest in future ensifentrine-related revenue.
• OMERS Life Sciences in the negotiation of a definitive credit facility agreement for BridgeBio Pharma, Inc. with a syndicate of lenders for up to US$750 million in financing.
• ZMC in the sale of its portfolio company 9 Story Media Group to Scholastic for approximately US$186 million.
• Western Union Company in connection with the refinancing of its revolving credit facility.
• Hood Companies, Inc. in connection with the refinancing of its credit facility.
• Publicly traded e-commerce household and personal care beauty products retailer in the refinancing and upsize of its revolving credit and term loan facilities.
• Affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc. in providing a US$500 million senior secured loan to MFA Financial, Inc.
• Investment Funds managed by an affiliate of ZMC in the acquisition and financing of Simeio Solutions. 
• Great Hill Partners in its acquisition of Enterprise DB.
• Darling International Inc. in financing its acquisition of the Vion Ingredients business.
• Forest Park Medical Centers in connection with various financing matters.
• Knowles Corporation in connection with the financing for its spinoff from Dover Corporation and its subsequent accordion increase
• General Electric Capital Corporation in connection with acquisition financing provided to Cruz Bay Publishing, a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners.
• Amendment to increase Euro and USD term loan facilities and revolving facility of Armacell International S.A. to finance cross-border acquisition.

A sampling of Angela’s key representations prior to joining Sidley includes:

• Advent International Corporation; AI Chem & Cy S.C.A.; AI Chem & Cy US AcquiCo, Inc.
  Acquisition Financing
  Advised Advent International and represented borrowers AI Chem & Cy and AI Chem & Cy US AcquiCo with respect to financing in connection with Advent’s US$1.1 billion acquisition from Cytec Industries Inc. of its Belgium-based Coating Resins business, a developer, producer, and seller of synthetic resins used for the production of paints, coatings, and printing inks.
• Berkshire Partners LLC; OMERS Private Equity; Husky Injection Molding Systems Ltd.
  Senior Credit Facilities for Husky Injection Molding Systems
  Represented Berkshire Partners, OMERS Private Equity and their portfolio company Husky Injection Molding Systems, the world’s largest brand name supplier of injection molding equipment and services to the plastics industry, in US$1.03 billion of senior credit facilities for Husky to support, in part, its acquisition by Berkshire and OMERS.
• Berkshire Partners LLC; Engineering Solutions & Products LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Engineering Solutions & Products
  Represented Berkshire Partners and its portfolio company Engineering Solutions & Products (EPS), provider of acquisition, logistics, and technology support services to the U.S. Department of Defense, in term and revolving credit facilities supporting Berkshire’s acquisition of EPS.
• Berkshire Partners LLC; HMTBP Holdings, Inc.; HMTBP Acquisition Corp.; HMTBP Acquisition II Corp.
  Acquisition Financing for HMTBP Acquisition II Corp.
  Represented Berkshire Partners LLC, HMTBP Holdings, Inc., HMTBP Acquisition Corp., and HMTBP Acquisition II Corp. in the US$186 million acquisition financing for HMTBP Acquisition II Corp.
• Brazos Investment Partners, L.P.
  Senior Credit Facilities for Road Infrastructure Investment, LLC
  Advised Brazos Investment Partners in US$405 million first and second lien term and revolving senior credit facilities for Road Infrastructure Investment, one of the world’s largest makers of pavement markers and road repair equipment formed by the merger of Ennis Paint, Inc. and Flint Trading, Inc. (both portfolio companies of Brazos), which will be used to repay the separate outstanding facilities of Ennis and Flint and to fund the combined business’ working capital needs.
• Brazos Investment Partners, L.P.
  Acquisition Financing for Ennis Paint, Inc. and Prismo Road Markings Limited
  Represented Brazos Investment Partners, L.P. in the US$310 million acquisition financing for Ennis Paint, Inc. and Prismo Road Markings Limited.
• Broadcast Media Partners Holdings, Inc.; Umbrella Acquisition Inc.; Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC; Providence Equity Partners LLC; Saban Capital Group; THL Partners; TPG Capital
  Acquisition Financing for Univision Communications
  Represented an investor group including Providence Equity Partners, Madison Dearborn Partners, Saban Capital Group, TPG Capital, and THL Partners in an US$8.7 billion financing for the US$13.7 billion going private acquisition of Univision Communications Inc.
• CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, Inc.
  Represented CCMP Capital Advisors in US$300 million term and revolving facilities for Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, a retailer of closeout, surplus, and salvage merchandise, supporting CCMP’s acquisition of an interest in Ollie’s through a recapitalization in partnership with current management.
• CCMP Capital Advisors, LLC; Milacron LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Milacron LLC
  Represented CCMP Capital Advisors and Milacron (a portfolio company of CCMP), a manufacturer, distributor, servicer, and seller of equipment and products used in the plastics processing machinery industry, in an asset-based revolving facility to finance a portion of the acquisition of Milacron by CCMP.
• CCMP Capital Advisors LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Generac Power Systems
  Represented CCMP Capital Advisors in its US$1.5 billion acquisition financing for Generac Power Systems.
• Centerbridge Partners, L.P.
  Acquisition Financing for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc.
  Represented Centerbridge Partners in US$305 million first lien term and US$75 million revolving facilities for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, a chain of almost 400 restaurants in the United States, Mexico, the Middle East and Puerto Rico, supporting the take private of P.F. Chang’s by Centerbridge.
• Centerbridge Partners, L.P.
  Acquisition Financing
  Represented Centerbridge Partners, as sponsor, in term and revolving credit facilities for CraftWorks Restaurants & Breweries Group to, among other things, finance the acquisition of RB Capital and Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group.
• Ceridian Corporation
  Amendment and Extension of Credit Facilities
  Represented Ceridian Corporation (a portfolio company of THL Partners), provider of payroll and human resources, employee benefits administration, workforce management, and related services, in an amendment and extension of its US$2.5 billion term and revolving credit facilities.
• Ceridian Corporation
  Acquisition of Dayforce Corporation
  Represented Ceridian, a global provider of human resources, payroll, benefits, tax filing, recruiting, workforce management software, and payment solutions, in its acquisition of Canada-based Dayforce, a developer of advanced human capital management (HCM) software and solutions.
• Charterhouse Capital Partners LLP
  Acquisition Financing for Armacell Group
  Advised Charterhouse Capital Partners in US$490 million first and second lien credit facilities for Germany-based Armacell Group, a manufacturer of engineered foams and the world leader in the market for flexible technical insulation materials, to finance Charterhouse’s acquisition of Armacell.
• CVC Capital Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Cunningham Lindsey
  Represented CVC Capital Partners in US$660 million first and second lien credit facilities supporting its acquisition of Cunningham Lindsey, a major global loss adjusting and claims management firm.
• CVC Capital Partners
  Acquisition of ConvergEx Group
  Counsel to CVC Capital Partners in its proposed acquisition of ConvergEx Group, a provider of software and technology to investment and trading firms worldwide, from private equity firm GTCR and The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation.
• Darling International Inc.
  Joint Venture with Valero to Produce Biodiesel
  Represented food processing by-products recycler Darling International in the formation of Diamond Green Diesel Holdings, a joint venture with independent oil refiner Valero Energy to build and operate a US$450 million refinery to produce 137 million barrels of renewable diesel annually, with financing to be based on a commitment by the U.S. Department of Energy to issue an approximately US$241 million loan guarantee under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to support plant construction.
• Darling International Inc.
  Acquisition Financing
  Counsel to food processing by-products recycler Darling International in its US$625 million term and revolving credit facilities to finance the acquisition of Griffin Industries, a recycler of cooking oil and bakery by-products.
• Darling International Inc.
  Acquisition Financing for Vion Ingredients
  Represented Darling in connection with its US$1 billion revolver, US$350 million term loan A, US$1.2 billion term loan B and US$1.3 billion senior unsecured bridge facility to finance the acquisition of Vion Ingredients, a division of Vion Holding N.V. 
• Darling International Inc.
  Acquisition of Griffin Industries
  Represented food processing by-products recycler Darling International in its US$840 million acquisition of bakery feed and cooking oil recycler Griffin Industries, creating the leading independent renderer and bakery products and used cooking oil recycler in the United States.
• Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC; CheckSmart Financial Company
  Credit Facility for CheckSmart Financial Company
  Represented Diamond Castle Holdings, LLC and CheckSmart Financial Company in the US$200 million acquisition financing of CheckSmart Financial Company.
• DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Jostens, Inc.
  Represented DLJ Merchant Banking Partners in connection with the US$530 million financing for its acquisition of Jostens, Inc.
• DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Total Safety U.S., Inc.
  Represented DLJ Merchant Banking Partners in connection with financing for its US$183 million acquisition of Total Safety U.S., Inc.
• DLJ Merchant Banking Partners
  Financing for Warner Chilcott
  Represented DLJ Merchant Banking, as sponsor, in a US$1.79 billion financing for Warner Chilcott, in connection with the going private acquisition of Warner Chilcott PLC’s remaining share capital.
• Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
  Acquisition Credit Facilities
  Advised Fidelity National Financial, a publicly traded provider of title insurance, specialty insurance, and claims management services, in its US$800 million revolving and US$1.1 billion term credit facilities to finance, in part, its acquisition of Lender Processing Services Inc., a provider of integrated technology, data, and services to the U.S. mortgage lending industry.
• Generac Power Systems, Inc.; Generac Acquisition Corp.
  Revolving and Term Loan Facilities
  Represented Generac Power Systems, manufacturer of standby power products, in its US$725 million revolving and term loan facilities.
• General Electric Company; NBC Universal, Inc.
  Joint Venture with Comcast Corporation for NBC Universal
  Counsel to NBC Universal and parent General Electric in GE’s US$37.25 billion joint venture with Comcast for ownership of NBC Universal and Comcast’s cable channels and regional sports networks, a deal which changed the media landscape by uniting a content provider with broad distribution platforms and created a media and entertainment industry giant consisting of cable TV networks, local TV stations, a movie studio and theme parks. Comcast took a 51% stake in the venture, which values NBC Universal at US$30 billion. This transaction was named by The Deal as among the top M&A transactions for 2011 based on degree of difficulty or complexity.
• General Growth Properties, Inc.
  Revolving Facility
  Counsel to General Growth Properties, a publicly traded REIT that owns, develops, and operates regional shopping malls across the United States, in a US$1 billion revolving facility for GGP Limited Partnership and related entities.
• General Growth Properties, Inc.
  Exit Facility
  Represented General Growth Properties, the second-largest regional mall owner in the United States, in a US$300 million revolving exit facility for GGP Limited Partnership, GGPLP Real Estate 2010 Loan Pledgor Holding, GGPLPLLC 2010 Loan Pledgor Holding, and GGPLP 2010 Loan Pledgor Holding.
• General Growth Properties, Inc.
  DIP Term Loan Financing
  Represented General Growth Properties in its US$400 million debtor-in-possession term financing, convertible at maturity into equity or exit facility at debtor’s option.
• Genstar Capital LLC
  Acquisition Financing for ConvergeOne
  Represented Genstar Capital, LLC in its US$167 million senior secured acquisition financing for ConvergeOne.
• Genstar Capital LLC
  Acquisition Financing for International Aluminum Corporation
  Advised Genstar Capital LLC in connection with the US$145 million going private acquisition financing for International Aluminum Corporation.
• Genstar Capital, L.P.; The Sterling Group, L.P.
  Acquisition Financing for Panolam Industries International, Inc.
  Represented Genstar Capital, L.P. and The Sterling Group, L.P., as sponsors, in the US$245 million acquisition financing for Panolam Industries International, Inc., successor by merger to PIH Acquisition Co.
• Hawkeye Renewables, LLC
  Financing for Hawkeye Growth, LLC
  Represented THL Partners, L.P. and affiliates, Hawkeye Energy Holdings, LLC, Hawkeye Growth, LLC, Hawkeye Growth Holdings, LLC, Hawkeye Menlo, LLC, and Hawkeye Shell Rock, LLC in the US$315 million financing for the construction and startup of ethanol production facilities.
• HM Capital Partners LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company, Inc.
  Represented HM Capital Partners in the US$47 million acquisition financing of Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company, Inc.
• Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
  Financing for Hunt Consolidated, Inc.
  Represented oil and gas exploration, development, and refining company Hunt Consolidated in a US$105 million credit facility.
• Lindsay Goldberg; PL Propylene LLC
  Term and Revolving Facilities for PL Propylene
  Represented PL Propylene (a portfolio company of Lindsay Goldberg), owner and operator of a propane dehydrogenation facility for the production of chemical grade and polymer grade propylene, in US$470 million term and revolving credit facilities.
• Michael Foods, Inc.
  Sale to GS Capital Partners
  Counsel to Michael Foods, a THL Partners portfolio company and multinational producer and distributor of food products to the foodservice, retail, and food ingredient markets, in its US$1.7 billion sale to GS Capital Partners.
• Michael Foods, Inc.
  Amended and Restated Credit Facilities
  Represented Michael Foods in its US$525 million amended and restated credit facilities refinancing certain of its outstanding indebtedness and for general working capital purposes.
• NBC Universal, Inc.
  Revolving Credit Facility for NBC Universal
  Represented NBC Universal in a US$750 million revolving credit facility in connection with General Electric Company’s US$37.25 billion joint venture with Comcast for ownership of NBC Universal.
• Nortek, Inc.; subsidiaries
  Asset-Based Revolving Facility A&R
  Represented U.S.-based ventilation, air conditioning, and heating product maker Nortek and Canada-based Ventrol Air Handling Systems in a US$300 million amendment and restatement (including a US$20 million Canadian portion) to refinance and replace an existing asset-based revolving credit facility.
• Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan
  Acquisition Financing for Heartland Dental Care, Inc.
  Represented Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, Canada’s third-largest pension fund, in first and second lien credit facilities supporting its acquisition of a majority stake in Heartland Dental Care, one of the largest U.S. dental service organizations.
• Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board; Flexera Software LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Flexera Software
  Represented Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and Flexera Software, provider of software licensing, entitlement and compliance management, and software packaging solutions, in term and revolving first and second lien financing supporting Ontario Teachers’ acquisition of Flexera.
• Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
  Exit Financing
  Represented poultry and prepared-foods producer Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation in its US$1.75 billion exit financing facility.
• Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
  Bankruptcy/Reorganization Sale
  Represented chicken processor and prepared-foods producer Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation in its bankruptcy/reorganization sale of 64% of new common stock to Brazilian beef producer and exporter JBS, through its JBS USA Holdings subsidiary, for US$800 million in cash.
• Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation
  DIP Financing
  Represented Pilgrim’s Pride in obtaining a US$450 million priming debtor-in-possession financing facility.
• Providence Equity Partners LLC
  Acquisition of Minority Interest in AutoTrader.com, Inc.
  Represented Providence Equity Partners in its acquisition of a 25% equity interest in Autotrader.com, a subsidiary of diversified media company Cox Enterprises and the internet’s largest automotive shopping and advertising site.
• Providence Equity Partners LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Asurion Corporation
  Represented Madison Dearborn, Providence Equity Partners, and Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe, in the US$2.435 billion acquisition financing for Asurion Corporation.
• Providence Equity Partners LLC; Decision Resources, Inc.
  Acquisition Financing for Decision Resources, Inc.
  Represented Providence Equity Partners in the US$137 million acquisition financing for Decision Resources.
• Providence Equity Partners LLC
  Acquisition Financing for Newport Television, LLC
  Represented Providence Equity Partners in the US$890 million acquisition financing for Newport Television.
• Providence Equity Partners LLC; Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board; Madison Dearborn Partners, LLC
  Proposed Acquisition of BCE Inc.
  Represented Providence Equity Partners, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board and Madison Dearborn Partners in the proposed US$48.5 billion going private acquisition of BCE (Bell Canada Enterprises).
• Puerto Rico Cable Acquisition Company Inc.; Hicks Muse, Tate & Furst Incorporated
  Financing for Puerto Rico Cable Acquisition Company Inc. (d/b/a Choice Cable TV)
  UA$114 million refinancing for Puerto Rico Cable Acquisition Company Inc. (d/b/a Choice Cable TV)
• Rouse Properties, Inc.
  Revolving Credit Facility
  Counsel to Rouse Properties, U.S. regional mall owner and manager, in a US$100 million revolving credit facility supporting it as an independent, publicly traded REIT following its spinoff from General Growth Properties.
• Simmons Bedding Company (a THL Partners portfolio company)
  Credit Facility for Simmons Bedding Company
  Represented Simmons Bedding Company in the US$555 million credit facility for its acquisition by THL Partners.
• Simmons Company
  Acquisition Financing for The Sleep Train, Inc.
  Represented Simmons Company, as seller, in financing arrangements for the sale of Sleep Country USA (retail sales unit of Simmons Company) to The Sleep Train, Inc.
• Susser Holdings Corporation
  A&R of Term and Revolving Secured Credit Facility
  Represented fuel distributor and convenience store operator Susser Holdings in the amendment and restatement of its existing term and revolving secured credit facility in which the asset-based revolving facility was increased to US$120 million.
• THL Partners, L.P.; Goldman Sachs; CTI Foods Holding Co., LLC
  Acquisition Financing for CTI Foods
  Represented THL Partners, Goldman Sachs, and CTI Foods Holding Co. in US$485 million first and second lien term and US$100 million asset-based revolving credit facilities for the acquisition by THL and Broad Street Principal Investments, a Goldman affiliate, of CTI Foods, an independent provider of custom food products to major chain restaurants in North America.
• THL Partners; Fidelity National Financial, Inc.
  Acquisition Financing for Ceridian Corporation
  Representing THL Partners and Fidelity National Financial, Inc. in the US$2.55 billion acquisition financing (as part of the US$5.3 billion public-to-private acquisition) of Ceridian Corporation.
• THL Partners
  Senior Credit Acquisition Facilities for Acosta
  Represented THL Partners in senior credit facilities for Acosta in connection with THL’s acquisition of this provider of marketing services for manufacturers of consumer packaged goods.
• THL Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Hawkeye Renewables, LLC
  Advised THL Partners in connection with the US$700 million financing of its acquisition of an 80% stake in Hawkeye Renewables, LLC.
• THL Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Progressive Moulded Products Ltd.
  Represented THL Partners in the US$415 million acquisition financing for Progressive Moulded Products Ltd.
• THL Partners
  Acquisition Financing for Michael Foods, Inc.
  Represented THL Partners in the US$595 million acquisition financing for Michael Foods, Inc.
• THL Partners
  Recapitalization Financing for MoneyGram International
  Represented THL Partners in US$850 million term and revolving loans supporting the US$1.46 billion recapitalization of MoneyGram International.
• THL Partners
  Recapitalization for Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
  Represented THL Partners in its US$3.4 billion recapitalization for Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.
• THL Partners
  Financing for Cableuropa, S.A.U. and Others
  Represented THL Partners, as sponsor, in the €3.1 billion leveraged buyout financing for Cableuropa, S.A.U.’s acquisition of Auna Telecommunicaciones S.A.

Angela serves on the Board of Governors for the Dallas Symphony Association and the Iowa Law School Foundation Board of Directors. She is also a member of the City of University Park Legislative Committee. 

Angela earned the Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, Executive Leadership Program Certification, 2025.