Bankruptcy News Makers

Welcome to Bankruptcy News Makers. Here you’ll find breaking news on hiring, promotions, company restructuring and other significant events across the bankruptcy industry. 

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Winston & Strawn Adds Team of Restructuring Attorneys to New York Office
Winston & Strawn LLP announced that Lawrence A. Larose and Samuel S. Kohn have joined the firm's New York office as partners in the firm's Restructuring and Insolvency Group. "Larry and Sam are exceptional additions to Winston's restructuring and insolvency team, and their extensive knowledge of corporate restructurings in key industries will further strengthen our ability to service our Fortune 100 clientele on the East Coast," said Michael S. Elkin, managing partner of the New York office. "Our newest restructuring partners add critical mass and depth to both our New York restructuring group and to our national practice," said Eric E. Sagerman, Chair of the firm's Restructuring & Insolvency Group. Larose will head the Financial Restructuring practice within that group. The addition of Larose, Kohn and Grant continues a steady expansion over the past two years of Winston's New York office, which has grown to nearly 200 attorneys and is expected to grow significantly this year and beyond. Recent additions include an eight person private equity team and a two person corporate and sourcing team.Larose focuses his practice on the restructuring of financially troubled entities, both in and out of court. He represents major financial institutions in the acquisition or disposition of businesses and entities, and in the issuance, sale, and underwriting of securities. Larose was lead counsel for MBIA Insurance Corp. in its closely-watched restructuring effort and helped the world's largest financial insurance services provider prosper, despite the global financial crisis that has roiled the insurance as well as the financial industries. Larose was previously at Dewey & LeBoeuf where he led the Corporate Restructuring practice. "I am delighted to join the Winston team," said Larose. "The firm's commitment to providing clients with high-quality services and solutions, coupled with the strategic growth of its New York office is an exceptional combination, and I look forward to being a part of this talented group of attorneys." Kohn practices in the area of business reorganizations, including complex Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. He represents large corporate debtors, official creditors' committees, secured lenders, distressed asset acquirers and investment bankers in a wide array of industries including financial services, energy, telecommunications, healthcare, entertainment, retail, broadcasting and shipping. Kohn also joined the firm from Dewey & LeBoeuf.

Greg Yates Joins Seyfarth Shaw's Litigation Department in the New York Office
Seyfarth Shaw LLP, one of America's leading full-service law firms, announced that the Greg Yates has joined the firm's New York office as a partner in the Bankruptcy Practice Group. Previously, Yates was a partner in the New York and Washington, D.C. offices of Steptoe & Johnson LLP. Yates is a trusted advisor to financial institutions as well as non-institutional lenders and investors. His national practice is concentrated in the area of debtor/creditor relations, including workouts, restructurings, and bankruptcy. A key focus of his practice is advising clients on creative solutions to distressed commercial real estate transactions and, where necessary, litigation relating to those transactions. Additionally, he negotiates, structures, documents and closes many types of transactions involving distressed projects and litigates disputes relating to those projects. He also provides clients with guidance on acquisitions and divestitures of commercial mortgages, real estate and other assets. "Greg is a tremendous addition to our growing national bankruptcy practice," said Gus A. Paloian, Chair of Seyfarth Shaw's Bankruptcy, Workouts & Business Reorganization Practice Group. "His depth of knowledge of debtor-creditor relations, particularly in regard to the resolution of distressed commercial real estate, offers our clients a further sophistication and an even greater level of service in this arena." The Bankruptcy, Workouts & Business Reorganization Practice Group has representatives in every office helping lenders, asset managers, trustees, committees, unsecured creditors, and debtors manage their credit risk during tumultuous financial periods, such as the one we're currently navigating. The group handles a range of bankruptcy-related litigation, including avoidance and conveyance actions, directors and officers breach of fiduciary duties actions, and core bankruptcy proceedings hearings, including adequate protection, lift stay and plan confirmation. "We are thrilled to welcome Greg to our firm," said John P. Napoli, Co-Managing Partner of Seyfarth Shaw's New York office. "Greg's impressive background, coupled with his commitment to team work and superior client service, is an ideal fit. We look forward to his contributions at the firm both in the New York office and nationally."

Sheppard Mullin Elects Three Attorneys to Partnership
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP has elevated three of its attorneys to partner. The new partners are Malani J. Cademartori (New York), Brent E. Horstman (Los Angeles/Downtown), Charbel Lahoud (Los Angeles/Downtown). Malani Cademartori, in the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group in the New York office, regularly counsels both international and domestic clients in the areas of corporate reorganization, restructuring and liquidation in both domestic and cross-border insolvencies, creditors' rights, distressed asset acquisitions, insolvency-related securitizations, matters related to contract, lease and license issues in the insolvency and bankruptcy context, and out-of-court restructuring and bankruptcy planning. Cademartori has represented a wide array of entities in various industries in these areas, including debtors, major creditors, institutional lenders, bondholder committees, and investors in and purchasers of distressed assets. Brent Horstman is a member of the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group and based in the Los Angeles/Downtown office. Horstman specializes in commercial law, with a primary focus on complex financial transactions, representing both lenders and borrowers in syndicated and single lender credit facilities, including both cash flow and asset-based financings. He has recently worked on a number of transactions involving hotel and gaming entities, in addition to a number of cross-border transactions. Charbel Lahoud, in the firm's Finance and Bankruptcy practice group in the Los Angeles/Downtown office, specializes in commercial law and focuses his practice on the structuring, documentation and negotiation of financial transactions. Lahoud's experience includes representing agents, lenders, participants and borrowers in personal and real property secured syndicated loan transactions and asset-based loan transactions. 

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP Elects New Partner
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP announced that it has elected Elisha D. Graff new partner in the Firm's New York office. Elisha D. Graff is a member of the Firm's corporate department. His practice focuses on bankruptcy and restructuring with an emphasis on representing financial institutions and debtors in Chapter 11 cases and out-of-court restructurings. 

Baker Hostetler Expands Washington, DC Office Christopher J. Giaimo Joins Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights Practice Team
Baker Hostetler announced the addition of Christopher J. Giaimo to its Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights Practice team. Mr. Giaimo, who was most recently a partner with Arent Fox, will be resident in Baker Hostetler's Washington, D.C., office. Mr. Giaimo's practice focuses on financial restructuring and workout proceedings on behalf of financially distressed companies or their creditors. In addition to representation of Official Committees of Unsecured Creditors in Chapter 11 cases, Mr. Giaimo has extensive experience representing various debtors through the Chapter 11 process. He also represents a vast number of clients in the enforcement of a broad spectrum of creditors' rights in secured, public or private, and taxable and tax-exempt debt through the representation of lenders and investor syndicates, indenture trustees, creditor trustees, liquidation trustees and plan administrators. Mr. Giaimo is a member of the American Bankruptcy Institute and the Maryland Bankruptcy Bar Association. He is Chair of the Bankruptcy Committee of the Corporation, Finance & Securities Law Section of the DC Bar Association. "We are pleased to welcome Chris Giaimo to Baker Hostetler," said Jeffrey Paravano, Managing Partner of the firm's Washington, D.C., office. "Chris has extensive experience and will be a terrific asset to clients." "In the current business climate where restructurings and insolvencies continue to proliferate, the timing of Chris joining us could not be better," said Joseph Hutchinson, National Chair of Baker Hostetler's Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Creditors' Rights Practice Team. "It is important for us to maintain our strong presence in the distressed arena; Chris will be an important complement to our strong team of attorneys and will add important synergies to our practice," according to Hutchinson.

Morrison & Foerster Announces Expanded Leadership for Distressed Real Estate Group
Morrison & Foerster LLP announced that Brett Miller has been named Co-Chair of the firm's Distressed Real Estate Group, joining colleagues Mark Edelstein and James Hough in managing the interdisciplinary team of bankruptcy, real estate, litigation, tax and corporate lawyers. Mr. Miller steps into a leadership role of what has been one of Morrison & Foerster's busiest practices in the past year. The group has had active representations in some of the largest real estate bankruptcies and restructurings since the financial collapse. Among other engagements, Mr. Miller and the group currently represent the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Fairfield Residential LLC bankruptcy; the agent and steering committee of the $2.6 billion Corporate Agreement lenders in the General Growth Properties bankruptcy; Wachovia Bank, the largest creditor in the Extended Stay Inc. bankruptcy; and Boyd Gaming in its proposed purchase of Station Casinos, currently in bankruptcy. Additionally, the group is handling numerous out-of-court restructurings, as well as remedial actions and non-bankruptcy litigation matters. Mr. Miller has particular experience in several industries, notably airlines. He represents the official committee of unsecured creditors in the Mesa Air Group bankruptcy and recently represented the official committees in the Skybus, Gemini Air Cargo and Kitty Hawk bankruptcy cases. "We are very pleased that Brett is assuming co-leadership of one of the most active practices within the firm," said Morrison & Foerster Chair Keith Wetmore. "Our Distressed Real Estate Group has been operating on all cylinders through the current downturn and Brett's involvement in some of the cutting edge bankruptcy cases further demonstrates the depth and range of the group. We look to see continued milestone success from this most important platform going forward, as the economy continues to deleverage and work its way out of recession." Mr. Edelstein noted, "It's been a pleasure working on the front lines with Brett during the current cycle on some of the largest real estate workouts and bankruptcies – he has definitely earned a place among practice leadership. Our clients will continue to gain the benefit of his skills and innovative solutions as we move through the recession." Mr. Miller added, "I've spent the better part of the past two years working on the complex legal issues related to the intersection of real estate and bankruptcy. As we have only seen the tip of the iceberg on commercial and related corporate real estate defaults, the next several years are certain to remain extremely active." 

Morrison & Foerster Expands Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice with Addition of Partner Anthony Princi to New York Office
Morrison & Foerster LLP is pleased to announce today that Anthony Princi has joined the firm as a partner in the Bankruptcy & Restructuring Practice in the New York office. Mr. Princi's practice focuses on debt capital markets and restructuring, representing corporate debtors in debt transactions, and secured and unsecured creditors' committees in cross-border bankruptcy proceedings and out-of-court restructurings. "We are thrilled to have Tony join our team. As we expand our bankruptcy and restructuring practice, particularly in New York, the center of the restructuring world, adding an attorney of his caliber and experience is an important step in our growth plans," said Larren Nashelsky, co-chair of Morrison & Foerster's Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. "His expertise on creditor-side restructurings and experience representing financial institutions, including hedge funds and private equity funds, as well as ad hoc committees, broadens our practice capabilities and client base.""The opportunities to help clients develop and navigate their restructuring and bankruptcy strategies in today's marketplace are immense," said Princi. "It's an exciting time to be joining Morrison & Foerster's highly regarded Bankruptcy & Restructuring practice. I look forward to working with my new partners to enhance our clients' interests in the distressed debt market." Jeffrey M. Carbino Joins Thorp Reed & Armstrong as Partner

Jeffrey M. Carbino joins Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP 
Thorp Reed & Armstrong, LLP (Thorp Reed) is pleased to announce that Jeffrey M. Carbino has joined the firm's growing Philadelphia office as a Partner. On February 18, 2010, Mr. Carbino began practicing in the firm's Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group. Mr. Carbino joins Thorp Reed's Philadelphia office from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, where he served as a shareholder since 2004. His addition effectively expands Thorp Reed's Bankruptcy Practice in the Philadelphia marketplace. "Jeffrey's reputation in the Philadelphia market and expansive background in bankruptcy law will be a great asset to our Bankruptcy Practice and firm," said Kimberly Wakim, Partner and Leader of Thorp Reed's Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Practice Group. "We look forward to his contributions as a seasoned attorney dealing with the complexities of bankruptcy law on a national level." "Thorp Reed is dedicated to a high level of legal expertise and we believe we have demonstrated this commitment by adding Jeff to the firm," said Joe Donley, Partner-in-Charge of the firm's Philadelphia office. "Jeff not only adds valuable experience to our Bankruptcy Practice, but also expands the breadth and depth of services Thorp Reed offers throughout the Northeast Corridor. His legal expertise in conjunction with his knowledge of the regional marketplace establishes him as an immediate contributor to the firm." Mr. Carbino focuses his practice on the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency and creditors' and debtors' rights and related litigation. He has extensive experience representing debtors and creditors' committees, institutional secured and unsecured creditors, licensors, property lessors, utility service providers and other creditors in Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Mr. Carbino has also represented Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 trustees, cash management banks in workouts and bankruptcy, and has experience in director and officer liability litigation. He has been selected as one of America's Leading Business Lawyers by Chambers USA every year since 2006. He is a member of the American Bar Association's Business Bankruptcy Committee, the American Bankruptcy Institute, and the Delaware Bankruptcy Inn of Court. Mr. Carbino also sits on the Education Committee of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Bankruptcy Conference and is a Board Member of the Consumer Bankruptcy Assistance Project. In addition to his time at Buchanan, Mr. Carbino also served as the Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable John C. Cook, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Tennessee, as well as the Honorable Stephen Raslavich, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. His experience also includes work with the Legal Division of the Wilmington Trust Company.

Mayhew Named New Connecticut TMA President
The Connecticut Turnaround Management Association (CTTMA) announced that Kristin Mayhew, a bankruptcy and commercial litigation attorney with Pepe & Hazard, has been named as the organization's new president. "As president of CTTMA, I am looking forward to working closely with our growing membership of turnaround management professionals who share a common interest in strengthening the economy through the restoration of corporate value," said Mayhew. Mayhew, who focuses her practice on the representation of debtors, secured and unsecured creditors and trustees in Chapter 11 business bankruptcies, is a member of the American, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Fairfield County Bar Associations. Mayhew is also the membership chair for the International Women's Insolvency and Restructuring Confederation, Connecticut Chapter.