Bankruptcy/Restructuring
USA Guide 2024 : Delaware
Band 1
About
Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA
With one of the region’s largest and most active bankruptcy practices, Richards, Layton & Finger continues to expand its reputation as counsel of choice in high-value bankruptcy and restructuring cases in Delaware. The firm has handled some of the nation’s largest, most complex and most sensitive bankruptcy matters arising in the state. Its attorneys provide the full spectrum of bankruptcy counsel and have amassed enormous experience before the Delaware Bankruptcy Court. Their range of services, depth of experience, thorough knowledge of bankruptcy law and procedures, and major victories are invaluable to both clients and co-counsel.
- Representing key parties from nearly every business sector, Richards Layton has been involved in hundreds of major chapter 11 cases filed in Delaware.
- Respected firms throughout the U.S. rely on their expertise, tapping them as co-counsel in many of the most complex bankruptcy cases filed in Delaware.
- The firm’s clients are debtors, lenders, acquirers, investors and creditors, including statutory and ad hoc creditors’ committees, secured creditors, trade creditors, landlords and others.
- The bankruptcy litigators prosecute and defend the full range of litigation arising in bankruptcy, including chapter 11 claims, preference actions, fraudulent conveyance claims, challenges to acquisitions and valuation disputes.
- A client told Chambers, “I can’t imagine using any other firm than Richards, Layton & Finger for Delaware matters. It’s top-notch.”
Chambers Review
Richards, Layton & Finger PA is a market-leading practice with expertise in complex bankruptcy and restructuring matters, renowned especially for its representation of debtors. A go-to firm for high value cases that file in Delaware, with a deep bench of strong attorneys well versed in handling significant Chapter 11 cases. Also equipped to handle litigation arising from bankruptcy proceedings, including fraudulent conveyance claims.
Work Highlights
- Richards, Layton & Finger PA acted as co-counsel to the joint provisional liquidators of FTX Digital Markets Ltd in the Chapter 15 and Chapter 11 cases filed in Delaware.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They were extremely capable, proficient and efficient in assessing, in a limited time frame, a highly complex set of issues."
"They are the best in their market. They have a lot of strong legal talent and we trust them implicitly."
"Richards, Layton & Finger is the best firm in Delaware in terms of quality. They are capable, dependable and on top of details."
"They were extremely capable, proficient and efficient in assessing, in a limited time frame, a highly complex set of issues."
"They are the best in their market. They have a lot of strong legal talent and we trust them implicitly."
"Richards, Layton & Finger is the best firm in Delaware in terms of quality. They are capable, dependable and on top of details."
Notable Practitioners
Esteemed attorney Mark Collins is noted for his significant Chapter 11 practice. He regularly advises market-leading companies in financial distress, including those with significant international operations. He focuses his practice on a range of industries, including energy, bio pharmaceutical, retail and corporate.
"He has good insight and judgment."
Daniel DeFranceschi is often called upon to provide expert counsel on Chapter 11 proceedings. He is a fine choice of counsel for debtor-side clients from industries such as energy and retail, bringing to bear additional experience in creditor mandates.
"Daniel is good in court and an effective advocate. He has seen it all and is our go-to for complex restructuring matters."
John Knight has an extensive practice and is routinely retained by both companies and financial institutions seeking his expertise in proceedings such as Chapter 11 filings. He is adept at representing debtors in a range of industries, including retail and energy.
"I have high regard for the professional services that John provided in a very difficult and challenging representation."
"He is a strong courtroom lawyer; commercial in his outcomes and advice, and able to get the right solution for his clients."
Michael Merchant is a fine choice of attorney for large scale Chapter 11 reorganizations. He draws on broad experience in matters involving distressed assets, including Section 363 transactions.
"He provides great insight into what the judges look for."
"Michael is really intelligent, diligent and a solid team player. He is thoughtful about how to approach the court."
Paul Heath has a robust Chapter 11 practice and frequently advises clients across a range of industries, both domestically and internationally, with recent cases in the pharmaceutical, technology and energy sectors. He complements his expert debtor-side practice with experience acting for creditors.
Robert Stearn centers his bankruptcy practice on contentious matters. He offers wide-ranging expertise in civil litigation, handling disputes such as fraudulent transfer actions and breaches of fiduciary duty.
"He is an outstanding litigator with a huge wealth of experience which gives him a great sense of what will, and will not, resonate with the court. He is an invaluable resource in disputed matters."
Russell Silberglied demonstrates significant capabilities in both contentious and noncontentious distressed proceedings. His broad client base includes a range of stakeholders, including lenders and debtors.
"He is very smart, practical and responsive. He provided great insight."
Amanda Steele garners recognition for her Chapter 11 practice and is comfortable representing both creditors and debtors. She has experience advising on matters in industries such as technology and pharmaceuticals.
"She is very responsive and knowledgeable. She has a great command of the room and a good bedside manner."
"Amanda is intelligent, diligent and a solid team player."
Zachary Shapiro advises on a range of bankruptcy-related matters, including high profile cases. He regularly acts on behalf of debtors on Chapter 11 proceedings.
"He is an excellent and compelling communicator."
Ranked Lawyers at
Richards, Layton & Finger PA
Delaware
Members
Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA