Band 5
Band 6
About
Provided by Duane Loft
Practice Areas
Duane leads Pallas’s New York practice. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on restructuring disputes, contested issues in bankruptcy, and cross-border litigation. An experienced trial lawyer, Duane is regularly called upon to provide courtroom leadership for creditors, institutional shareholders, and fund principals in cases where litigation drives recoveries.
In the area of restructuring litigation, Duane has represented ad hoc groups of creditors in a number of significant corporate bankruptcies, including the Chapter 11 cases of Intelsat S.A. and LBI Media, in each case serving as trial counsel in multi-week hearings on contested plans of reorganisation.
In cross-border disputes, Duane has helped recover billions of dollars for institutional investors, including through Section 1782 discovery proceedings that have led to precedent-setting decisions in district and appellate courts throughout the United States.
Work Highlights
Bombardier Inc. – Representing 2034 Noteholders of Bombardier Inc. in litigation to collect a make-whole payment arising from a covenant breach and to invalidate a vote-rigging liability management exercise.
Norske Skog – Defending fraudulent transfer claims in Chapter 15 adversary proceedings brought by the trustee of Norske Skogindustrier, an insolvent Norwegian paper company, relating to a 2016 restructuring.
Offshore Appraisal Section 1782 Proceedings – Section 1782 discovery proceedings for dissenting shareholders pursuing billions of dollars in offshore shareholder appraisal claims, including in connection with the take-private mergers of 58.com, Jardine, SINA, 51Job, Myovant Sciences, and New Frontier Health.
Hertz – Representing Ad Hoc Group of Hertz creditors to recover backstop fee owed in connection with restructuring of Hertz’s European businesses.
Intelsat, S.A. – Represented Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Noteholders in Chapter 11 of Intelsat S.A., including as trial counsel in a three-week contested plan confirmation hearing.
Expert in these Jurisdictions
New York
U.S. District Court: Southern District of New York
U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals: Second Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals: Third Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals: Sixth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals: Seventh Circuit
Education
Fordham Law School
J.D., magna cum laude; Notes & Articles Editor, Fordham Law Review; Order of the Coif (top 10% of class); Fordham Prize
Fordham University
B.A., summa cum laude, Comparative Literature
Chambers Review
USA
Duane Loft of Pallas Partners LLP is an experienced litigator who advises clients in bankruptcy disputes. He serves as practice head.
Duane Loft heads the New York practice at Pallas Partners LLP and possesses a wealth of experience in commercial disputes, often arising from bankruptcies and restructurings. He has particular expertise handling Section 1782 proceedings in support of appraisal litigation in a wide range of jurisdictions.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"He takes the time to get to know his clients, what their needs are and what they're trying to achieve."
"Duane is an extremely talented lawyer. He's thoughtful, quick-witted and commercial. He is an advocate you want on your side."
"He is a very creative litigator."
"He's sharp and has outstanding commercial understanding."
"Duane takes the time to get to know his clients, their needs and what they're trying to achieve."
"He's very knowledgeable and good at client management; he develops good relationships."
"He takes the time to get to know his clients, what their needs are and what they're trying to achieve."
"Duane is an extremely talented lawyer. He's thoughtful, quick-witted and commercial. He is an advocate you want on your side."
"He is a very creative litigator."
"He's sharp and has outstanding commercial understanding."
"Duane takes the time to get to know his clients, their needs and what they're trying to achieve."
"He's very knowledgeable and good at client management; he develops good relationships."