Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate

Latham & Watkins LLP

Client Satisfaction

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.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘We have worked a lot with Adam Goldberg on several matters. Adam is very knowledgeable and responsive. Very commercial lawyer with a lot of expertise in crypto.’
‘Latham has a truly deep bench of professionals and a well-deserved reputation for finding practical solutions that serve their client’s interests. They are uniquely easy to work with, and they benefit from the support of one of the world’s largest full-service law firms.’
‘David Hammerman is outstanding. He’s deeply analytical and strategic while staying focused on finding a commercial path forward. George Davis is an extremely strong strategic thinker on his deals and is also the global chair of the group. Caroline Reckler is driven and tenacious, which is how she gets deals done. Hugh Murtagh is a strong litigation-focused restructuring lawyer who has a unique ability to parse through complex fact patterns and legal analyses and get to the right answer. Brett Neve is one to watch going forward.’
‘The Latham restructuring team is one of the few pre-eminent restructuring teams in to US focusing on mass torts and innovation solutions. They are at the forefront assisting companies to modernize their balance sheets and restructure legacy liabilities to effectively move forward in the market.’
‘Jeff Bjork - practice leader. Jeff is a thought leader in the restructuring space and is driving innovation in its implementation. Jeff has been involved on some of the biggest liability restructurings in the US recently. Clients appreciate his tenacity and level of engagement.
Kim Posin is very knowledgable in the subject matters and knows all the key players. She is effect managing the process with many different constituents, always advocating effectively for her clients.’
‘The team at Latham is remarkably deep, well-trained, and exceptionally experienced in complex restructuring matters. It is one of a very small group of large firms that can be said to be truly the elite of bankruptcy and restructuring. Adept at both debtor and lender-side representations, the team seamlessly draws on Latham's vast array of other practice skills, as and when needed. Highly recommended in all respected.’
‘George Davis, head of the group, brings vast experience and knowledge to every matter on which he works. He has impeccable judgment and a calm, steady hand in every crisis.'

Key clients

Ad Hoc Committee of GTT Communications Noteholders
Bird Rides
Cox Operating LLC
EPR Properties
Huron Consulting Group
Paddock Enterprises
Imerys Talc America, Inc.
Joint Liquidators of Three Arrows Capital Ltd.
Leadenhall Capital Partners LLP
Lincoln Power, L.L.C.
Macquarie Capital (USA) Inc.
MD Helicopters, Inc.
Monitronics International, Inc.
National CineMedia, Inc.
Sorrento Therapeutics, Inc.
Starry Group Holdings, Inc.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
TPC Group Sponsors
Trinity Capital
Virgin Orbit
Vital Pharmaceuticals (Bang Energy)

Work highlights

Advised Monitronics International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (known for Brinks Home Security), one of the largest home security and alarm company, in fully consensual confirmation of the Company’s partially prepackaged Plan of Reorganization following an uncontested hearing on June 26, 2023.
Advising Vital Pharmaceuticals, the maker of Bang energy drinks, on its chapter 11 bankruptcy cases, which have involved multiple novel legal issues and culminated in the sale of substantially all of its assets to Monster Energy.
Advising AIG Financial Products, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIG Inc., in its chapter 11 proceedings involving the restructuring of more than US$36 billion of debt.