About Gabriel Yomi Dabiri

Global Head of Private Credit and Direct Lending at Squire Patton Boggs

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri is a finance attorney based in New York who focuses his practice on private credit and direct lending matters involving domestic and cross-border transactions. He currently serves as the Global Head of Private Credit and Direct Lending at his firm, where he advises lenders, sponsors, and borrowers on complex financing arrangements. His work spans special situations, debt restructurings, and bankruptcy-related matters, as well as senior, mezzanine, subordinated, and unitranche facilities. He also advises on first- and second-lien structures. His approach is grounded in careful analysis and practical judgment, with an emphasis on helping clients understand transaction mechanics and align legal structures with commercial goals.

Scope of Private Credit Experience

Gabriel has developed broad experience across multiple areas of private credit and direct lending. His work includes cash flow lending, asset-based lending, subscription line facilities, distressed debt, debtor-in-possession financing, and real estate finance structures. He has advised on both buy-and-hold private credit strategies and broadly syndicated finance transactions, giving him exposure to a wide range of deal sizes and structures. This breadth allows him to support routine financings as well as highly complex transactions. He regularly negotiates intercreditor and subordination arrangements and assists clients in navigating sensitive restructuring matters with clarity and discipline.

Client-Centered Advisory Approach

Gabriel approaches each engagement with an emphasis on understanding the client’s broader objectives and constraints. He focuses on how a transaction fits within a client’s overall strategy, whether the goal involves growth, stability, or managing financial stress. By remaining closely engaged throughout the process, he helps identify potential issues early and works with clients to address them before they escalate. His advice is rooted in market practice rather than abstract theory, allowing him to provide guidance that is realistic and actionable. This measured approach supports informed decision-making and helps clients move forward with confidence in complex financing environments.

Global Perspective and Cross-Border Work

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri brings a global outlook to his practice through dual qualification and sustained international experience. He is admitted to practice law in New York and in England and Wales, and he has lived and worked across major financial centers in North America, Europe, and Asia. He divides his professional time among these regions, which has shaped his understanding of cross-border finance and multi-jurisdictional transactions. This background enables him to coordinate matters governed by different legal systems and to manage jurisdictional complexity in an organized manner. His global exposure supports consistent execution while remaining attentive to local legal and market considerations.

Early Career and Professional Foundation

Gabriel began his legal career in London after completing his legal education, where he trained at an international law firm and gained early exposure to complex finance transactions. He later continued developing his practice at another global platform within a banking and finance team, deepening his experience in private credit matters. During these formative years, he built a strong foundation in transaction structuring and developed essential client relationships. These early experiences shaped his analytical discipline and practical mindset, which continue to influence how he advises clients and approaches challenging financing and restructuring matters.

Practice Building and Leadership Responsibilities

Gabriel later accepted the opportunity to build a private credit and cross-border finance practice from the ground up at a national firm. This role required not only technical legal skill but also long-term planning, client development, and team leadership. Alongside his legal practice, he served in a leadership capacity, overseeing the New York office during a period of sustained growth and operational expansion. His responsibilities included guiding team development, managing increased headcount, and supporting office planning initiatives. This experience strengthened his ability to balance client work with organizational responsibilities and reinforced the importance of thoughtful leadership in a professional services environment.

Education and Dual Qualification

Gabriel Yomi Dabiri earned an undergraduate degree in economics and political science, reflecting an early interest in financial systems, policy, and institutional structures. He later completed a law degree with honors, establishing the legal foundation for his finance-focused practice. His dual qualifications have proven valuable in cross-border work, as the laws of New York or England and Wales govern many global finance transactions. This background allows him to advise on transactions involving multiple jurisdictions while maintaining consistency and clarity. His education continues to inform his structured approach to complex financial and legal issues.

Philanthropy, Mentorship, and Professional Engagement

Gabriel remains actively involved in philanthropy and community engagement alongside his professional practice. He has served on boards and committees supporting economic empowerment initiatives and has contributed his time and legal insight to volunteer efforts focused on health programs. He is also committed to mentoring professionals within the legal and financial communities, sharing practical knowledge gained through years of transactional and leadership experience. His involvement reflects a belief that professional responsibility extends beyond client matters. Through service and mentorship, he seeks to support responsible growth within the profession and encourage thoughtful, ethical practice over the long term.