The team at Akin brings high-level expertise to complex bankruptcy matters, especially in the New York market, with a client base encompassing ad-hoc groups, companies and debtors to creditor committees, and large investors involved in multi-billion dollar restructurings. The US-based restructuring team benefits from the firm’s strong cross-border links with teams in Asia and Europe which assist in large and complex deals for large multinational companies, including on a recent matter in which Philip Dublin acted as special counsel for an ad-hoc group of Cineworld’s secured lenders to advise on negotiations with Cineworld on a restructuring plan and support with its Chapter 11 filing. Heading the global practice is Ira Dizengoff, who is regarded as a preeminent figure in the restructuring space for his involvement in high profile distressed and bankruptcy-related matters, alongside specialties in corporate restructurings, creditors’ committees and bondholder committee cases. Abid Qureshi is noted for his key focus on bankruptcy litigation. Washington DC-based Scott Alberino represents a wide range of groups in distressed transactions including creditor committees and equity holders, and Sara Brauner and Naomi Moss are also highly recommended. Unless otherwise stated, all mentioned lawyers are based in New York.

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP ‘s New York-based team is led by Marshall Huebner and Damian Schaible and advises on large and complex restructurings, including representing both companies and investors in domestic and cross-border proceedings. The firm maintains close connections with a wide array of creditor- and debtor-side clients, including companies, directors, financial institutions and administrators. In bankruptcy proceedings, a team around Timothy Graulich acted as lead counsel in the high-profile Chapter 11 bankruptcy of Purdue Pharma. The firm is also renowned for its representation of ad-hoc groups of lenders and noteholders, with Elliot Moskowitz and Angela Libby representing institutional investors and hedge funds in challenging corporate restructurings. Donald Bernstein represents debtors, liquidators and receivers in corporate restructurings and insolvency proceedings, and Darren Klein is experienced in a wide range of corporate restructurings and bankruptcies. Brian Resnick is noted for his expertise in liability management transactions and distressed asset sales alongside his specialties in bankruptcies, while Eli Vonnegut and Natasha Tsiouris respectively advise clients on structuring and managing their investments and on dealing with pre-packaged and traditional bankruptcies. David Schiff represents a wide range of parties on liability management transactions. Christian Fischer was promoted to partner in early 2023.

Kirkland & Ellis LLP’s restructuring group provides a wide range of business advisory and crisis management services to navigate clients through restructurings and insolvency matters. The team consists of over two hundred restructuring attorneys across the firm’s global team, including the London, Munich and Hong Kong offices, which frequently collaborate with the US team to handle cross-border restructuring projects. The New York-based Josh Sussberg and Nicole Greenblatt have experience in all variations of financial and operational restructurings and insolvency proceedings, with the firm acting on behalf of domestic and multinational corporations. New York lawyer Edward Sassower co-heads the practice with Sussberg and focuses on representing debtors, creditors and distressed investors in bankruptcy cases alongside out-of-court restructurings and acquisitions. Anup Sathy is based in Chicago and represents a range of parties in all aspects of distressed and insolvency situations, while New York lawyers Emily Geier and Christine Okike are skilled in a wide array of restructuring and bankruptcy proceedings, with Okike representing a range of clients across numerous industries including automotive, sports and cryptocurrency. Ross Kwasteniet is based in Chicago and is noted for his experience in representing both buyers and sellers of distressed assets, and Ciara Foster, in New York, is a name to watch due to her involvement in a number of high profile Chapter 11 cases.

Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP provides representation to a diverse range of parties on both the creditor and debtor side including creditors’ committees and debtors both in and out of court. The firm has a stable litigation practice, with practitioners such as Thomas Mayer handling bankruptcy trials and appeals, alongside litigation and defending discovery disputes. Kenneth Eckstein has been involved in a number of high profile Chapter 11 reorganizations, including pharmaceutical companies during the opioid crisis as well as the bankruptcies of companies involved in the automotive, media and entertainment industries. Co-Chair Amy Caton stands out for her representation of investors and creditors’ committees in large and complex bankruptcies, while Rachel Ringer has played a prominent role in advising on large bankruptcies and restructurings for a range of industries including retail and biopharmaceuticals. Daniel Eggermann advises reorganized companies and their investors on corporate issues and regularly counsels market participants, whereas David E. Blabey, Jr. represents a range of parties including creditors’ committees, bondholders and hedge funds in Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, as well as representing clients in litigations within and outside the Chapter 11 context. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Fielding a team of specialists in restructuring and bankruptcy, Latham & Watkins LLP‘s restructuring and special situations practice represents clients across a variety of industries ranging from pharmaceutical, manufacturing, retail and oil and gas. The group has assisted on all types of restructurings and liability management transactions, and has the capabilities to address mass tort and significant litigation liabilities. Attorneys such as the New York-based David Hammerman are able to lead on both the debtor-side and creditor-side of restructurings, with Hammerman having led a team including Washington DC attorney Andrew Sorkin in advising the lenders to SmileDirectClub in connection with ongoing Chapter 11 cases. Hammerman leads the team alongside New York lawyer George Davis, who has a track record in advising public and private companies around the world on complex restructurings in and out of court, as well as the Chicago-based Caroline Reckler, who is a specialist in bankruptcy proceedings and other special situations across various industries. Situated in Los Angeles, Jeff Bjork has a focus on mass tort restructurings, while New York-based Keith Simon is experienced in guiding debtors, secured lenders, and new money investors through high stakes restructurings and special situations. Los Angeles-based Helena Tseregounis is also a key name. Joseph Zujkowski joined in New York from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in August 2024. Brett Neve has left the firm.

Headed by Dennis Dunne, Evan Fleck and Samuel Khalil, Milbank’s financial restructuring group is skilled in handling Chapter 11 cases and corporate restructurings across a wide variety of industries internationally and domestically. The team represents clients including companies in need of financial restructuring, official and ad hoc communities of creditors, hedge funds and lenders. The practice includes specialists from the firm’s Los Angeles, New York and Washington DC offices, including partners Matthew Brod and Atara Miller who were involved in serving as counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the Chapter 11 cases of Talen Energy Supply and its affiliated debtors and debtors-in-possession. Nelly Almeida represents a range of different parties in both in- and out- of court domestic and international restructurings and distressed financings and acquisitions, whereas Michael Price has experience representing debtors, ad hoc committees and official committees of unsecured creditors. Tyson Lomazow is a key name. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP has cemented its status as a strong team for a variety of clients on both the creditor and debtor side, including distressed companies, fulcrum creditor groups, equity sponsors and distressed investors. The firm has handled high-profile bankruptcies over the year, including Revlon, where lawyers Robert Britton , Alice Belisle Eaton, Kyle Kimpler  and Sean Mitchell represented Revlon in its complex and publicized Chapter 11 cases and continue to represent the company in the wind-down of its remaining Chapter 11 case. Paul Basta co-chairs the New York-based team and has a storied career representing debtors, creditors and investors in a broad range of restructuring matters, ranging from Chapter 11 cases to cross-border insolvency matters. Andrew Rosenberg also co-chairs the department and has represented a diverse range of clients across numerous industries in matters including out-of-court restructurings and bankruptcy-related acquisitions. Jacob Adlerstein has broad expertise in advising clients in bankruptcy cases and corporate restructurings, ranging from debtors to ad hoc creditor committees. Brian Hermann  and Elizabeth McColm  have extensive experience in bankruptcy and chapter 11 proceedings, with Hermann skilled in representing clients in complex litigation arising out of Chapter 11, alongside McColm who has been involved in major restructurings and bankruptcies. Andrew Parlen has represented private and public companies in a variety of distressed situations, while Brian Bolin is noted for his experience in distressed financing transactions and exit financings. Kelley Cornish has moved to Selendy Gay PLLC.

Led by heads Matt Barr, Gary Holtzer and Ray Schrock, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP handles complex restructuring matters alongside every type of consensual and litigated restructuring transactions. The firm has served as chief debtors’ counsel in a number of major bankruptcy filings, as well as representing clients in complicated international insolvencies. In the case of Talen Energy Supply, LLC and its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, New York based Matt Barr and Alexander Welch advised Talen Energy Supply in connection with their evaluation of strategic alternatives with respect to $5bn in funded indebtedness. The team is part of a global network, utilizing its offices in London, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai to assist on restructuring matters across the globe. Garrett Fail’s practice covers all aspects of domestic and international debt restructurings, including crisis management and corporate governance, while Ronit Berkovich represents a range of parties across the debtor and creditor landscape, including acting as debtors’ counsel in large chapter 11 cases. Jeffrey Saferstein practices in corporate restructurings and workouts, as well as bankruptcy and specialized financings. Candace Arthur is noted for her advisory services for a range of parties in out-of-court and in-court domestic and international corporate restructurings. Kelly DiBlasi and Jessica Liou are names to watch, and Lauren Tauro was promoted to partner in January 2023. Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers included are based in New York.

White & Case LLP represents clients globally, representing debtors, creditors and distressed investors in all parts of the capital structure including advising on all aspects of corporate and financial restructurings through to chapter 11 proceedings. John K Cunningham has a track record in Latin American cross-border restructurings, and was involved in the GoldenTree Asset Management LP matter alongside Glenn M. Kurtz  and Thomas MacWright, representing GoldenTree in Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority’s Title III case. Thomas Lauria  is the global practice head and has represented clients on large and complex restructurings, alongside bankruptcy matters, while Jessica Lauria serves as lead counsel on bet-the-company engagements, as well as multifaceted chapter 11 cases such as mass tort assignments. Scott Griessman advises clients on a range of financial structuring and insolvency matters, and on the litigation side, Chris Shore represents clients in issues relating to complex business disputes largely arising from debtor/creditor relations. Situated in Los Angeles, Doah Kim is noted for her focus on business reorganization and restructuring matters, whereas Richard Kebrdle has a practice focused on bankruptcy and financial restructuring. Chicago-based Gregory Pesce is a name to watch for his focus on protecting and advancing the financial interests of corporate debtors, as well as secured and unsecured creditors. Lawyers are based between New York and Miami unless otherwise stated.

Brown Rudnick LLP offers a balanced practice specializing in bankruptcy and creditor’s rights, as well as commercial bankruptcy litigation and mass tort bankruptcy litigation. Attorneys regularly represent a range of parties including equity security holders, unsecured creditors and entities with commercial interests in Chapter 11-filing organizations and debtors. Team members, such as New York-based David Molton  handles restructuring litigation and mass tort Chapter 11 cases. Robert Stark  is the chair of the bankruptcy and corporate restructuring department and is recognized for representing committees, while Jeffrey Jonas  leads the bankruptcy litigation practice group and was involved in the Chapter 11 case involving the “Texas two-step” maneuver and the improper discharge of mass tort liabilities. Orange County based Catherine Castaldi  is the practice group leader and concentrates on a range of issues, from bankruptcy to reorganization and commercial litigation. Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers are based in New York.

‘Global in its reach and effectiveness,’ Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton‘s New York-based bankruptcy and restructuring department handle complex bankruptcy cases, including advising clients worldwide on restructuring matters that cross legal and geographical borders. The firm represents both debtors and creditors in cross-border restructurings and insolvency proceedings across the US, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia for clients in a variety of industries including crypto, energy and retail. Richard Cooper has a focus on Latin America in restructuring involving companies and countries, while Lisa Schweitzer  has advised a range of parties including corporate debtors and individual creditors in domestic and cross-border bankruptcies. Sean O’Neal has a split practice between creditor and debtor work, both in and out of court, whereas David Botter joined the firm in 2023 from Akin and is experienced in multijurisdictional and cross-border matters for distressed companies and creditors. Luke Barefoot  is noted for his expertise in bankruptcy litigation and cross-border bankruptcy disputes.

Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP specializes in representing creditor and stakeholder groups in complex restructurings and liability management, with the New York-based team responsible for executing and defending a trend setting transaction for the lenders to Serta Simmons Bedding which was widely replicated in the distressed finance market. Scott Greenberg focuses on representing debtors and creditors in in-court and out-of-court restructurings, alongside Steven Domanowski‘s practice dealing with restructuring and corporate finance, having represented a diverse range of parties in liability management transactions and distressed debt transactions. David Feldman‘s practice is centered around the representation of banks, hedge funds, private equity firms and companies in a wide variety of bankruptcy cases and out-of-court restructurings. Michael Cohen  represents ad hoc groups in bankruptcies and insolvency matters, and has represented numerous debtors in connection with their chapter 11 cases. AnnElyse Gains, based in Washington DC, is noted for her focus on corporate restructurings, distressed financing and liability management transactions, having advised boards of directors and senior management. In 2023, C. Lee Wilson, from Jones Day, joined the practice. Unless otherwise mentioned, all lawyers are based in New York.

Jones Day‘s business restructuring and reorganization practice provides services in restructurings and bankruptcies across the US and globally, with the team advising a range of parties including debtors, lenders, creditors, shareholders and asset purchasers. The firm saw success in the matter of Diebold Nixdorf, where the team represented Diebold in connection with the first recognition by a Uh bankruptcy court of a proceeding taking place under the new Dutch restructuring law and a plan of reorganization approved by a Dutch bankruptcy court. Global head of the practice Heather Lennox  is based in New York and Cleveland and has represented a range of debtors and creditors in restructurings both in-court and out-of-court, while, also in New York, Corinne Ball  has a focus on corporate reorganizations and distressed acquisitions. Based in Los Angeles, Bruce Bennett represents clients in large corporate reorganizations in a variety of industries including gaming and aviation.

Having recently absorbed the restructuring practice of Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP, the New York-based team at Paul Hastings LLP‘s cross-jurisdictional group represents a range of parties including unsecured creditor committees, banks, sponsors and ad hoc groups of creditors. The firm also benefits from its debtor-side practice, while also providing on-the-ground restructuring advice across the globe with lawyers situated across the U.S. Attorneys, such as co-chair Kristopher Hansen , who was noted by one client as a ‘rockstar‘ in the field, and has been involved in a series of bankruptcies including those related to crypto and the pharmaceutical industry. co-chair Jayme Goldstein specializes in representing a range of parties in chapter 11 and out-of-court restructurings, alongside Jonathan Canfield who has led the representation of creditors in complex restructuring matters. Daniel Fliman has a diverse practice on both the debtor and creditor side, whereas Gabe Sasson represents official committees of unsecured creditors and has led on a range of restructuring and bankruptcies. Lindsey Henrikson joined the Chicago office from King & Spalding LLP in September 2024.

Led by Richard Mason , Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz handles a range of areas within bankruptcy and restructuring, including liability management for leveraged businesses, Chapter 11 proceedings, alongside integrating its corporate, real estate, REIT, tax and benefits practices into its restructuring and finance department to provide a full service for clients. Joshua Feltman  provides a cross-disciplinary practice, focused on acquisitions of leveraged entities in connection with in-court and out-of-court workouts as well as the financing aspects of leveraged acquisitions. Emil Kleinhaus advises on litigation related to bankruptcy and creditors’ rights, while Michael Benn represents borrowers, creditors and distressed investors in all types of financing transactions. Michael Cassel is a name to watch for his work on litigation and advisory services related to bankruptcy, liability management and disputes under credit agreements and indentures. Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers are based in New York.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP‘s business reorganization and restructuring department in New York consists of a group of restructuring experts, including Thomas Mark , who represents debtors and strategic investors. The firm is noted for their company-side practice and can assist distressed companies both in and out-of-court, while also maintaining a creditor side practice, with specialists including Brett Miller that represents tort claimant committees, ad hoc bondholder and lender committees and official committees of unsecured creditors. The team has also advised on cross-border assignments, including involvement in the Cineworld and Imerys Talc America cases. Ana Alfonso  and Shelley Chapman are key names in the team. Andrew Mordkoff and Rachel Strickland have left the firm.

The ‘capable and competent’ team at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is based in New York, and represents a diverse range of clients including debtors, bondholders, secured lenders and private equity sponsors in restructurings and bankruptcy proceedings, as well as chapter 11 cases and cross-border insolvencies. Jasmine Ball represents a range of parties for various industries including pharmaceutical and airline companies, and was involved in representing Philippine Airlines in connection with its restructuring efforts in response to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the aviation industry. Natasha Labovitz  is the co-chair and represents debtors and creditors in and out of bankruptcy and cross-border insolvencies, while Sidney Levinson and Scott Selinger  are key names from the firm.

Dechert LLP‘s New York-based financial restructuring practice handles domestic and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters, alongside having attorneys with expertise who are able to represent a diverse range of parties, including ad hoc and official committees of creditors to investors of distressed assets and debt. The team integrates its global team to be able to handle bankruptcy proceedings across the globe. Allan Brilliant represents banking groups, unsecured creditors’ and bondholder committees. Stephen Zide is a key contact for advice Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Stephen Wolpert and Eric Hilmo are names to watch. Douglas Mannal left the firm in March 2024.

Hogan Lovells US LLP‘s business restructuring and insolvency practice is spread across six continents and twenty-two offices, with its team experienced in all aspects of Chapter 11 matters including contested valuation and confirmed trials, distressed asset sales and acquisitions, as well as cross-border insolvency proceedings and out-of-court restructurings. Based in New York, Christopher Donoho  handles both creditor and debtor side work, with expertise in both domestic and cross-border bondholder group representations, while Richard Wynne in Los Angeles is skilled in advising companies in a broad range of industries for chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. During 2023 Sherry Millman joined from Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP in New York, while Todd Schwartz joined from Paul Hastings LLP, and is based in Silicon Valley.

Mayer Brown‘s New York and Chicago-based restructuring practice is noted for their creditor and debtor based practice, having handled numerous matters for clients in the banking and finance industry, alongside energy, infrastructure and healthcare. Brian Trust  co-heads the practice and is experienced on cross-border and out-of-court restructurings, while Joaquin de Baca combines transactional and litigation expertise to represent both debtors and creditors in-court and out-of-court workouts and reorganization proceedings. Sean Scott  is skilled in insolvency matters and acts on behalf of companies and boards of directors, whereas Louis Chiapetta handles litigation aspects of bankruptcy cases. Josh Gross is a name to watch.

Morrison Foerster‘s business restructuring and insolvency group is led by Jennifer Marines and Lorenzo Marinuzzi  and is noted for their ‘outside of the box thinking‘ in creditor representation, including representing creditors’ committees. Gary Lee has a split practice in representing debtors and creditors in domestic and cross-border restructuring and liquidation proceedings, while Theresa Foudy‘s expertise extends to bankruptcy litigation, having represented Chapter 11 debtors, indenture trustees, secured and unsecured creditors. Miranda Russell is a name to watch for her representation of various parties in corporate restructurings and chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. Douglas Mannal is noted for his work with creditors and joined the team from Dechert LLP in March 2024. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Pachulski Stang Ziehl & Jones LLP is experienced in representing a variety of parties both on the creditor and debtor side in bankruptcy proceedings in and out of court. The firm has engaged clients across the US in a number of industries including healthcare, technology, automotive and manufacturing. In Los Angeles, Richard Pachulski has a diverse restructuring practice, while Jamie Stang‘s expertise involves representing official creditors’ committees in bankruptcy cases involving sexual abuse. Situated in Wilmington, Laura Davis Jones has represented debtors counsels and was selected as the Third Circuit’s director on the board of the American College of Bankruptcy, whereas Wilmington and New York-based Bradford Sandler has experience in representing a range of parties in reorganizations and final distress situations. James Walker in Dallas and New York-based Zev Bomrind joined the practice in August 2023.

Led by Martin Bienenstock in New York, Proskauer Rose LLP handles a range of clients on both the creditor and debtor side on all matters related to distressed situations, corporate governance insolvency and bankruptcy. The firm specializes in corporate governance, as well as advising borrowers in restructurings and Chapter 11 cases, as well as hedge funds. David Hillman has substantial experience in every phase of the restructuring process as well as addressing inter-creditor issues involving the relative rights of majority and minority lenders. Vincent Indelicato represents direct lenders, ad hoc groups, bondholders and creditors’ committees both in and out of court and in Chapter 11 matters, while Ehud Barak is noted for his specializations in bankruptcy litigation and Chapter 11 cases. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Ropes & Gray LLP have expanded their restructuring practice with the additions of New York-based Natasha Hwangpo and Chicago's Chris Dickerson over the past year, with the team active on borrower, lender and creditor based matters including in-court and out-of-court debt restructurings, corporate reorganizations and liability management transactions. Based in New York and Chicago, Ryan Preston Dahl co-heads the practice alongside Gregg Galardi and are both skilled in representing a variety of parties in restructurings, distressed acquisitions and in-court chapter 11 processes. Boston based Andrew Devore is focused on representing institutional investors and creditors committees in financial restructuring and insolvency-related litigations, while New York-situated Cristine Schwarzman represents debtors and distressed borrowers in restructuring proceedings and Chapter 11 cases.

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP advises clients in all types of bankruptcies and restructurings across all industries and operates with other departments to provide a one-stop-shop service with professionals in litigation, banking and credit, M&A, capital markets and tax assisting on the restructuring practice. New York-based Sandeep Qusba heads the team and has represented a range of parties in Chapter 11 proceedings and out-of-court restructurings, while Sunny Singh, who joined from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP in March 2023, is experienced in leading all aspects of complex domestic and international restructuring matters. Elisha Graff co-heads the practice and represents clients in connection with out-of-court restructurings, alongside focusing on advising companies and equity sponsors. Nicholas Baker is a key individual from the team. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP‘s corporate restructuring practice provides services to clients involved in distressed company situations, alongside representing a diverse range of parties including managers, owners, creditors and investors both in- and out-of-court restructuring transactions and liquidations. New York's Robert Drain joined the group after retiring from the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York and has overseen the chapter 11 bankruptcies of Purdue Pharmacy, Sears Holding Crop and Windstream Holdings Inc. Paul Leake is the global head of the practice, and is supported by Van Durrer, who heads the California group,  Joseph Larkin, head of the Wilmington practice and Ron Meisler, head of the Chicago group.

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP operates as a multidisciplinary team handling formal bankruptcies, insolvencies and out-of-court restructurings. The New York-based team is led by Brad Scheler, who is noted as a ‘rock star in the world of restructuring‘ and has lead teams in the financial restructuring and rehabilitation process of distressed businesses both across the US and globally. Jennifer Rodburg represents a broad range of clients interested in distressed businesses, as well as equity committees in connection with Chapter 11 cases. Andrew Minear is a name to watch for his experience in representing a wide variety of parties, alongside official and unofficial creditors’ committees. The team was bolstered by the arrival of Rachel Strickland, Andrew Mordkoff, and Daniel Forman from Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP in August 2024.

Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP has a steady cross-border practice, routinely representing company-side clients in major restructurings. Notably, the firm has handled restructurings related to the cryptocurrency and auto industries, including de-SPACs, while playing a role in numerous airline restructurings that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic. New York-based Kathryn Coleman co-chairs the group and handles a range of chapter 11 representations and high-stakes insolvency related matters, including with bet-the-company litigation claims including trade secret and RICO cases. Christopher Kiplok also in New York, co-chair’s the practice and routinely advises a range of parties on insolvencies, financial litigation and bankruptcies.

Led by David Rosner , Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP is experienced in litigation based services in bankruptcy representations and restructuring proceedings, with Rosner having been involved in a number of Chapter 11 cases. Ken Coleman handles multi-jurisdictional business reorganizations and financial restructurings, while Matthew Stein ‘s expertise lies in litigation arising out of distressed situations and leveraged buyouts. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

With offices across New York, Chicago, Dallas and Los Angeles, Katten‘s team has a strong record in representing directors in Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings in industries ranging from energy to real estate. Steven Reisman  leads the New York team and has a split practice between handling domestic and cross-border restructurings for a varied client portfolio, while Peter Siddiqui  in Chicago has assisted debtors in Chapter 11 cases and trustees in bankruptcy actions. Peter Knight , also in Chicago, represents senior secured agents and lenders in middle-market workouts and restructurings, whereas Los Angeles-based William Freeman is noted for his work in Chapter 11 cases and commercial litigation. New York-based Lucy Kweskin, and Chicago-based duo Paul Musser and Joshua Altman all joined the firm earlier in 2023.

Linklaters LLP advises on both domestic lender-side matters along with utilizing a wide global bankruptcy team based in the EU and Asia that handles cross-border restructuring and insolvency cases. The team handles a range of clients including lender syndicates, agents, ad hoc groups and individual creditors. Margot Schonholtz heads the practice and regularly offers financial institutions solutions in debt restructurings, litigations, and general bankruptcy advice. Penelope Jensen is experienced in Chapter 11 proceedings, while Christopher Hunker has expertise in out-of-court restructurings. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

McDermott Will & Emery LLP‘s restructuring and insolvency practice is skilled in all aspects in distressed transactions, with the team acting for publicly and privately owned companies going through financial challenges in-court and out-of-court, as well as significant experience in cryptocurrency-related bankruptcy. In Chicago, Felicia Perlman heads the practice and represents clients in industry sectors including healthcare and energy, while Bradley Giordano has worked on multi-jurisdictional and cross-border matters. Jay Kapp is focused on all aspects of corporate bankruptcies and reorganizations, with Kristin Going and Darren Azman key names in New York.

Norton Rose Fulbright US LLP‘s restructuring group has offices across the US including New York, Houston and Dallas, with the team experienced in representing clients in the energy sector in various restructurings, alongside healthcare, transportation and cryptocurrency, where attorneys have been involved in a number of Chapter 11 cases involving crypto lenders and digital asset exchanges. Houston based Jason Boland  focuses on business bankruptcy matters and commercial disputes, having represented a range of parties in both transactional and litigation-related engagements in federal courts. Ryan Manns , situated in Dallas, represents public and private corporations both inside and out of court, while New York based Eric Daucher  and Howard Seife  are key names in the team, with Seife representing domestic and international clients in all key industries.

O'Melveny & Myers LLP field a roster of experienced bankruptcy and restructuring specialists handling matters for a variety of industries including transportation, telecommunications, energy, real estate and hospitality. Based in New York, John Rapisardi is the chair of the practice and is experienced in domestic and international debtor and creditor restructurings, while Lou Strubeck Jr. in Dallas also co-chair’s the practice and represents major financial clients in commercial restructurings and reorganizations. Situated in New York, Maria DiConza is focused on financial restructuring and bankruptcy transactions. Washington DC-based Peter Friedman is a key names from the firm.

Vinson & Elkins LLP represents a range of parties including companies and alternative lenders in all aspects of in-court and out-of-court restructurings. The firm has wide industry experience in areas including healthcare and shipping, with an even split of lawyers involved in debtor engagements and  company-side matters. Based in New York, David Meyer  head’s the practice and has been involved in matters representing equity holders, investors and creditors in Chapter 11 cases and special situation investments and acquisitions. Jessica Peet, also in New York, has represented a range of clients on both creditor and debtor sides, while Bradley Foxman in Dallas, is noted for his ‘communication skills and willingness to work through complicated situations with a commercial & constructive approach.’

A&O Shearman offers a full service across restructuring matters both globally and domestically for a range of clients including borrowers, financial institutions, hedge funds and ad hoc groups. Dallas-based Luckey McDowell is experienced in representing energy sector clients, especially on buy-side clients and focuses on capital restructuring. In New York, Mark Shapiro has worked on company-side out-of-court restructurings, as well as representing creditors. Frederic Sosnick, also in New York has assisted debtors and official creditors’ committees, while Sara Coelho, in New York and Ian Roberts, based in Dallas, are key names.

Boston-based Choate, Hall & Stewart handles a range of restructuring services, providing a cradle-to-grave service including acting for companies, debtors and creditors in workouts, distressed asset and debt acquisitions as well as insolvency proceedings. Douglas Gooding co-chairs the practice with John Ventola, who is experienced in representing financial institutions in multi-tranche financial transactions. Kevin Simard has experience in advising national banks and private lenders, while Jonathan Marshall concentrates on corporate restructurings and loan workouts.

The financial restructuring group at Clifford Chance benefits  from expertise in other jurisdictions to handle the restructuring needs of multi-national businesses. Jennifer DeMarco  represents financial institutions, agents and borrowers in the US and Latin America, while Douglas Deutsch represents institutional investors and indenture trustees in out-of-court and in-court restructurings.  Michelle M. McGreal and Sarah N. Campbell represent a wide range of parties in Chapter 11 proceedings and financial restructuring transactions. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

King & Spalding LLP handle a range of domestic and cross-border restructuring mandates, with Arthur Steinberg in New York representing a full range of clients in restructuring workouts and bankruptcy proceedings, including debtors, secured and unsecured creditors, as well as official and ad-hoc committees. Austin Jowers in Atlanta is experienced in multi-jurisdictional matters spanning a variety of industries, while Jeff Dutson, also in Atlanta, represents banks and secured lenders in workouts and bankruptcy matters. Lindsey Henrikson has left the firm.

Led by Raniero D’Aversa, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP represent lenders and investors in restructuring distressed life settlement and premium finance investment vehicles. The firm combines its expertise in bankruptcy, restructuring and litigation to provide a full service in areas including Chapter 11 matters. Laura Metzger is skilled in bankruptcy matters, while Lorraine McGowen is noted for being ‘an absolute class act in every way. Her expertise in bankruptcy and financial restructuring matters is second to none.’ Evan Hollander has expertise in cross-border restructurings. Every lawyer mentioned is based in New York.

Noted for its remarkable competency in all phases of restructuring work,’ Reed Smith LLP operates through a global team working with clients across multiple industries, guiding them through local and cross-border restructuring and insolvency matters. Lawyers in the team have experience in bankruptcy litigation involving financially distressed companies transactions as well as dealing with alleged breaches of fiduciary duties. Wilimington and New York based Kurt Gwynne leads the team, with key members including Aaron Javian, Michele Ross, Andrew Buck and Joseph Tuso, all of which are also based in New York.

Noted for their ‘extremely strong knowledge of the restructuring process and related law,’ Squire Patton Boggs handle all facets of the restructuring and insolvency process, with capabilities in handling cross-border matters. Cincinnati and New York-situated global chair Stephen Lerner is skilled in handling Chapter 11 reorganizations for a range of clients in the coal, energy, financial services and healthcare industries, while San Francisco-based Karol Denniston  has experience representing both creditors and debtors in litigated bankruptcy cases and out-of-court transactions. Norman Kinel, in New York, is noted for his cross-border capabilities in bankruptcy and insolvency proceedings.

WilmerHale‘s primarily New York-based bankruptcy and restructuring practice is skilled at handling bankruptcy litigation including contested plan confirmation proceedings, claims disputes, fraudulent transfer and fiduciary duty, while also having acted for insurers and situated parties in bankruptcies arising out of mass tort liability. Philip Anker co-chairs the practice alongside Andrew Goldman, both of whom are experienced litigators and have represented a range of clients from both the debtor and creditor side. George Shuster in Boston focuses on transactional and litigation-driven bankruptcy, as well as handling clients for both the biotechnology and life sciences industries. Benjamin Loveland is a key name from the firm.

ArentFox Schiff focuses on litigation coming from bankruptcy proceedings as well as advising a wide range of clients including creditors’ committees, indenture trustees and bondholders. New York-based Andrew Silfen chairs the restructuring practice and has been involved in pharmaceutical restructurings, while Aram Ordubegian, based in Los Angeles, leads the firm’s West Coast group and represents California-based middle market businesses. Christopher Wong, also in Los Angeles, is a name to watch owing to his expertise in business and financial restructuring matters, including Chapter 11 proceedings.

Led by Debra Dandeneau and Mark Bloom, Baker McKenzie LLP advises clients including distressed companies, debtors and creditors in domestic and cross-border restructuring matters, The firm provides bankruptcy services including Chapter 11 and Chapter 15 assistance with the team spread across New York and Miami. Paul Keenan represents debtors and creditors in out-of-court restructurings, while Blaire Cahn advises companies on the development and implementation of corporate restructuring strategies.

Bracewell LLP represents domestic and global clients in restructurings across multiple industries, with the team focused on advising private investment funds, distressed debt investors, hedge funds and private equity funds. Team members, including Houston based William Wood III, handle bankruptcy litigation matters, with litigators serving as advocates in indenture disputes and in bankruptcy courts. Jason Cohen, also in Houston, focuses on debtor representation and creditors’ rights, whereas Mark Dendinger, based in New York, has broad restructuring expertise across the energy, shipping and retail industries.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP handles a range of services within restructuring and bankruptcy, including financing structures, creditor representations and cross-border negotiations both in-court and out-of-court. The firm aids financial institutions on bankruptcy issues related to structured finance products and structuring transactions for bankruptcy risk. Gregory Petrick chair’s the practice and has represented debtors as well as secured lenders and official unsecured creditors’ committees. Ingrid Bagby has represented a range of parties in cross-border restructurings, while Michael Rupe is a key name from the firm. All lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Led by Los Angeles-based Tania Moyron, Dentons‘ restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy practice is experienced in handling restructuring matters for industry sectors including healthcare, real estate and financial services, alongside financial services. Chicago-based Robert Richards‘ practice includes Chapter 11 representations, distressed asset acquisitions and distressed loan purchases. In Louisville, James Irving has cross-border expertise in bankruptcy cases, while in Los Angeles, Rebecca Wicks and Sarah Schrag are names to watch, with Thomas Labuda joining the practice from Sidley Austin LLP in 2023.

DLA Piper LLP (US) offer services within bankruptcy litigation as well as restructuring advice, with lawyers offering clients including debtors and official and unofficial committees with assistance in matters revolving around Chapter 11 filings and international restructurings. The team is led from New York, Los Angeles and Wilmington, with Rachel Albanese in New York a key name. In Los Angeles, Robert Klyman recently joined from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and has a practice focused on matters involving financial distress, whereas Craig Martin in Wilmington has worked on numerous cross-border matters.

Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP represents a variety of clients both in-and-out-of-court for services in restructuring and reorganizations, including representing plaintiffs and defendants in bankruptcy-related litigation. The firm deals with a range of industries including the retail, health care, entertainment and technology, as well as indenture trustees. Richmond-based Tyler Brown co-head’s the practice with Timothy (Tad) Davidson II in Houston, both of whom are skilled in Chapter 11 reorganizations, with expertise handling both creditors and debtors. Robin Russell , who is also situated in Houston, covers bankruptcy litigation as well as financial transactions.

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP ‘s insolvency and restructuring practice represents a range of clients including financially distressed entities, creditors and stakeholders. Andrew Troop leads the team and has advised a global clientele across business reorganizations and debtors’ and creditors’ rights. Team members, including Patrick Fitzmaurice and Hugh McDonald focus on all aspects of bankruptcy and litigation related work, while John Pintarelli is noted for being ‘very responsive and on top of US bankruptcy law issues.’ Unless otherwise stated, all lawyers mentioned are based in New York.

Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP provides a multidisciplinary approach in providing services in complex out-of-court financial restructurings, Chapter 11 reorganizations and insolvency proceedings. Adam Harris  co-chair’s the team and is experienced in corporate restructurings as well as creditors’ rights litigation, whereas Douglas Mintz, in Washington DC advises secured and unsecured lenders. David Karp and Kristine Manoukian  are also key names. Lawyers are in New York unless otherwise stated.

Seward & Kissel LLP ‘s New York-based corporate restructuring and bankruptcy group has capabilities in both in-court and out-of-court restructurings, as well as insolvency-related litigations, of which the firm specializes in for a range of clients from debtors to unsecured creditors’ committees. John R Ashmead  heads the team and is experienced in representing trustees and creditor committees in chapter 11 proceedings and liquidations, while Robert J Gayda  handles restructuring matters for a range of clients both in-court and out-of-court. Catherine LoTempio is focused on providing bankruptcy advice to lenders, bondholders, creditor committees and corporate trustees and agents.