Blank Rome is pleased to announce that partner John W. Masland has been recognized by the Secured Finance Network (“SFNet”) in its 40 Under 40 Awards, which highlight rising leaders shaping the future of the secured finance community. This marks the 10th anniversary of SFNet’s 40 Under 40 Awards program.
According to SFNet, the 2026 class reflects the strength of the next generation of industry leaders. These professionals are not only high achievers, but also trusted advisors, innovative problem-solvers, and collaborative partners who deliver meaningful value to their organizations and clients. Together, they exemplify the qualities that make secured finance so dynamic and resilient: principled leaders who step forward and drive progress.
To view all the honorees, please click here.
An excerpt of John's honoree profile, as published by SFNet, is copied below.
John Masland is a partner in Blank Rome’s Finance, Restructuring, and Bankruptcy practice group. He represents banks and other financial institutions in a broad range of commercial lending and corporate finance transactions, including asset based and cash flow financings. His experience includes unitranche and syndicated credit facilities, cross border transactions, acquisition financings, and complex restructurings and workouts. In addition to his practice, John provides pro bono legal services to incarcerated individuals. He received his J.D. from Boston University School of Law and his A.B. from Bowdoin College. John lives in Los Angeles with his wife and children.
What advice would you give to other young professionals looking to build a successful career in secured finance?
Be a problem solver and take real ownership of every assignment. When I had questions early in my career, I put in the effort to solve them—I did the research, dug into precedent—and then proposed answers to colleagues. That investment of time pays off. You develop stronger judgment, deepen your understanding of the deal, and build a reputation as someone who gets things done.
Equally important, don’t limit yourself to what is formally assigned to you. If you see something you can handle, raise your hand and take responsibility for it. The fastest way to grow in secured finance is to keep taking on more complex pieces of the transaction until you’re running the deal.
How are you keeping up with rapidly changing technology (e.g., AI) in secured finance today? What do you think its role will look like in the future of the industry?
My answer to this question would have been different even a few months ago, which reflects how quickly AI is evolving in secured finance. At Blank Rome, we focus on using AI to deliver greater value to clients—streamlining routine work, analyzing information more efficiently, and identifying issues earlier in the deal process. This allows our lawyers to spend more time on judgment driven work, such as structuring, risk assessment, and strategic advice.
To read John's full profile, please click here (page 28).