Richards, Layton & Finger Elects New Directors and Counsel
July 1, 2025
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WILMINGTON, Delaware (July 1, 2025) – Richards, Layton & Finger is pleased to announce that it has elected attorneys Matthew Ady, Jonathan Kaplowitz, Zach Kmetz, Ed Little, and Don Zeman as directors of the firm, and Ashley Kidd, Sara Metzler, and John O’Toole as counsel of the firm, effective July 1.
“I’m proud to congratulate these fine lawyers on their well-deserved promotions,” said Paul Heath, president of Richards Layton. “They have the skill, the experience, and the commitment to excellence our clients depend on. I know these talented attorneys will uphold our tradition of delivering the innovative counsel, practical solutions, and exceptional client service that are the hallmarks of our firm.”
Matthew Ady handles the formation and administration of Delaware common law and statutory trusts, including series trusts, in connection with asset-backed securitizations, loan facilities, warehouse financings, and other financing arrangements. He advises financial institutions and trust companies acting as owner trustee, indenture trustee, paying agent, transfer agent, account bank, custodian, verification agent, administrative agent, and in other representative capacities in complex financial transactions. Matthew is also a member of the New York bar. He earned a B.A., magna cum laude, and a B.B.A., magna cum laude, from Stetson University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law.
Jonathan M. Kaplowitz focuses on the formation and administration of Delaware and New York trusts in connection with securitizations, debt restructuring, and multi-series mutual funds. He advises financial institutions and trust companies acting as securities administrators, paying agents, master servicers, indenture trustees, owner trustees, custodians, and in other capacities in complex financial transactions. Jon earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from Lafayette College and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where he was an associate editor for the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law and the Journal of Law & Public Affairs.
Zachary D. Kmetz focuses his practice on transactional matters involving Delaware alternative entities. He renders advice and legal opinions with respect to limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and general partnerships, including in connection with structured finance transactions, investment funds, and other matters relating to formation, operation, governance, dissolution, and enforceability applicable to alternative entities. Zach holds a B.A., summa cum laude, from the College of William & Mary, an M.B.A. from Villanova School of Business, and a J.D., cum laude, and an LL.M. from Villanova University School of Law.
Edward S. Little focuses his practice on commercial transactions and insurance regulatory matters. His insurance regulatory practice primarily involves advising U.S. insurance companies doing business in Delaware on matters relating to compliance with the Delaware Insurance Code, and he is a member of the Federation of Regulatory Counsel (FORC). Ed’s commercial transactions practice includes securitization, structured finance, and secured transactions. He serves as vice chair of the Commercial Law Section of the DSBA. Ed received a B.A., cum laude, from Michigan State University and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Minnesota Law School.
Donald P. Zeman focuses his practice on the formation and administration of Delaware common law and statutory trusts in connection with complex financial transactions. He renders advice to financial institutions and trust companies acting as owner trustee, indenture trustee, collateral agent, paying agent, transfer agent, verification agent, administrative agent, verification agent, and custodian with regard to asset-backed securitizations, loan facilities, warehouse financings, and other financing arrangements. Don also represents independent directors and corporate service providers. He has a B.S., summa cum laude, from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from Villanova University School of Law.
Ashley N. Kidd focuses on the formation and administration of Delaware statutory trusts in connection with securitizations, debt restructuring, and multi-series mutual funds. She also renders advice to financial institutions and trust companies acting as indenture trustees, owner trustees, or in other capacities in complex financial transactions. Ashley earned a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was a member of the Journal of Business Law.
Sara M. Metzler focuses on commercial and intellectual property litigation in Delaware’s state and federal courts. Her practice involves breach of contract, fraud, noncompete, trade secret, and patent and trademark infringement claims. Sara served as a clerk for the Honorable Jennifer L. Hall of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. She earned a B.S., with high distinction, from the University of Michigan and a J.D., cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center.
John O’Toole litigates cases involving corporate governance, corporate control, fiduciary duties, contractual matters, and other commercial disputes in the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court. Prior to joining the firm, John was a Wolcott Clerk for the Honorable Karen L. Valihura of the Delaware Supreme Court. He earned a B.A. from the University of Delaware and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Widener University Delaware Law School, where he was an editor of the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law.
About Richards, Layton & Finger
Defining Delaware law since 1899, Richards, Layton & Finger helps sophisticated clients navigate complex issues and the intricacies of Delaware law. We advise global companies, business partnerships, leading financial institutions, local businesses, and individuals across a wide range of practices, including corporate law, alternative entities, commercial law, bankruptcy and corporate restructuring, intellectual property, tax, trusts and estates, commercial real estate, and litigation.