Bankruptcy encompasses a practice that spans the rights of debtors and creditors in Chapter 7 liquidations, Chapter 11 reorganizations or liquidations, out-of-court workouts, and receiverships in the United States, as well as cross-border insolvency issues with respect to companies with assets in one or more jurisdiction.
Law firms tend to specialize in either the debtor or creditor side of the representation. Debtor law firms represent the financially troubled company, advising it on all aspects of the restructuring process, becoming deeply involved in the business operations of the company.This micro-level involvement is necessary in order to understand fully the scope of the company’s assets and liabilities. Creditor law firms represent either an individual secured or unsecured creditor or a group of creditors, either in the form of an ad hoc committee or the official committee of unsecured creditors appointed by the U.S.Trustee in a Chapter 11. Creditor attorneys seek to maximize recoveries for creditors in the shortest possible timeframe and, therefore, are looking at the company's assets and liabilities for opportunities to liquidate or sell assets.
Some law firms divide their bankruptcy practice into bankruptcy litigation and corporate restructuring, while others expect their bankruptcy attorneys to have both litigation and corporate skills.
BANKRUPTCY LITIGATION
Relevant experience for a bankruptcy litigation attorney will be more heavily weighted toward litigation skills such as:
Conducting all aspects of discovery, including interrogatories, depositions, document production, and review with respect to adversary proceedings;
Drafting pleadings both seeking and opposing relief before the bankruptcy court;
Drafting appellate briefs for the Court of Appeals or Bankruptcy Appellate Panel;
Negotiating and prosecuting all aspects of claims resolution;
Presentation of evidence and witnesses at any trials related to contested proceedings such as hearings to approve the disclosure statement and to confirm a plan of reorganization.
CORPORATE RESTRUCTURING
Relevant skills and experience of corporate restructuring attorneys typically involve more traditionally corporate skills such as:
Advising clients on reorganization options, both in and out of court;
Negotiating with creditors and debtors to structure financial work-outs and a consensual distribution of assets;
Negotiating and drafting confidentiality and restructuring agreements;
Negotiating and drafting plans of reorganization and disclosure statements;
Negotiating and drafting all documents necessary to memorialize workout agreements.
Corporate restructuring attorneys are also well versed in the Uniform Commercial Code, particularly Article 9, and are often consulted in connection with secured lending to advise on issues that may arise with respect to the loan and collateral during any subsequent insolvency or bankruptcy proceeding.
Testimonials - Attorneys Love BCG Attorney Search!
I had a great experience with BCG. The job search is an emotional roller coaster, and I needed a professional that was familiar with the process. My recruiter was great, not only with the logistical, finding-me-a-job details, but also with the person [...]
- E.A., Princeton, NJI enjoyed speaking with Katy today. She seems to be an excellent recruiter and is certainly a pleasure to work with. I appreciate BCG's help as I make this transition to Boston.