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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Highly commercial lawyers who have strong technical skills. Know the market extremely well.’

  • ‘They are the gold standard and preeminent restructuring law firm. They are the firm that is in every large bankruptcy case, they provide clever solutions and well sought after advice.’

  • ‘They are very smart, commercial and get deals done. They are extremely strong.’

Key clients

  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of SVB Financial Group
  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Diamond Sports Group LLC
  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Yellow Corporation
  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Purdue Pharma LP
  • GTT Communications, Inc.
  • Ad Hoc Group of Secured Lenders to Cineworld
  • Ad Hoc Group of First Lien Lenders to Avaya Inc.
  • Apollo Management X, L.P. and certain of its managed investment funds as DIP lender to Scandinavian Airlines
  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of HONX, Inc.
  • Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TPC Group Inc.

Work highlights

  • Representing the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of SVB Financial Group, which includes the holders of over $3.3 billion in in unsecured bond debt, landlords, trade creditors and other unsecured creditors.
  • Represented an ad hoc group of secured lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Cineworld and its affiliates involving $4 billion in liabilities.
  • Advised GTT, a leading global cloud networking provider to multinational clients and the operator of one of the largest Tier 1 internet networks in the world, in its comprehensive prepackaged chapter 11 restructuring of $4.5 billion in liabilities.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ira Dizengoff, Philip Dublin

Other key lawyers

Abid Qureshi, Sara Brauner, Naomi Moss