Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.

Matthew Ady assists clients with the formation and administration of Delaware common law and statutory trusts, including series trusts, in connection with asset-backed securitizations, loan facilities, warehouse financings, and other financing arrangements. He also advises financial institutions and trust companies acting as owner trustee, indenture trustee, paying agent, transfer agent, account bank, custodian, verification agent, administrative agent, collateral agent, and in other representative capacities in complex financial transactions. In addition to being barred in Delaware, Matthew is also a member of the New York bar to better serve the needs of his clients in transactions governed by New York law. As an avid outdoorsman and a board member of the Delaware Nature Society, Matthew is involved in working to preserve and promote green spaces and provide suitable habitats for Delaware’s native species.

Mike is chair of Richards Layton’s Corporate Advisory Group and vice chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. In addition, Mike is a member of the Council of the Corporation Law Section of the Delaware State Bar Association and, in that capacity, participates in the annual review and drafting of amendments to the Delaware General Corporation Law. He advises corporations, officers, directors, board committees, and stockholders in connection with a wide variety of transactional and advisory matters, including mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, proxy contests, stockholder meetings, and corporate governance issues. Mike regularly renders legal opinions on matters relating to Delaware corporate law and is a sought-after speaker on Delaware legal practice and developments. Clerkship: The Honorable Maurice A. Hartnett III, Delaware Supreme Court, 1996-1997

Paul Altman is “one of the deans of the Delaware bar” (Chambers USA). Paul’s practice involves alternative entities, including partnerships and limited liability companies, and focuses primarily on the formation of private investment funds. Before becoming Richards Layton’s senior vice president, Paul was chair of the firm’s Business Department and head of the Limited Liability Company and Partnership Advisory Group for nearly 20 years. A “fabulous” practitioner who is “very knowledgeable, very thoughtful and very methodical” (Chambers USA), Paul is an active member of the state and national bar, serving on several committees related to alternative entity law. Paul co-authored and continues to update Lubaroff & Altman on Delaware Limited Partnerships. He has also co-authored numerous journal articles and often lectures on the subject of limited partnerships and limited liability companies at continuing legal education seminars.

Monica M. Ayres

Monica Ayres has 20 years of experience advising Fortune 500 companies, large investment firms, and other entities on matters of Delaware law. Focusing on Delaware limited partnerships, general partnerships, and limited liability companies, Monica handles formation, operation, and governance matters, as well as analyzing fiduciary duty and contractual issues, regarding these alternative entities. Monica provides advice and legal opinions in connection with a wide range of transactions involving Delaware limited liability companies and partnerships. She also advises on litigation concerning these matters. Monica’s expertise includes merger, conversion, and acquisition transactions as well as investment fund, structured finance, joint venture, strategic alliance, and financing transactions. Active in the firm’s pro bono program, Monica provides support to nonprofit organizations needing board members or assistance with corporate governance matters.

C. Stephen Bigler

Steve Bigler is a “top-notch corporate lawyer,” a “go-to person on anything related to Delaware,” and a “key practitioner in the Delaware bar” (Chambers USA). Steve provides counsel on all aspects of Delaware corporate law matters in the full range of corporate transactions, including statutory compliance, structuring, fiduciary duty, and governance. He is “very capable in balancing the technical aspects of an issue with the practical reality of doing a transaction” (Chambers USA, 2024). Steve’s clients include private and public corporations of all sizes and stages and their founders, boards of directors, board committees, and venture capital and private equity firms, as well as the prominent law firms that counsel them. Clients consider Steve “a top-notch corporate lawyer,” noting that “he is excellent and truly a pleasure to work with” (Chambers USA). Steve has considerable experience analyzing and drafting preferred stock terms, merger and investment agreement terms, and other corporate documents governed by Delaware law. He had a lead role in drafting provisions implementing a number of innovative changes to the Delaware General Corporation Law, including: Sections 204 and 205, permitting ratification of defective corporate acts (adopted in 2013) Section 122(17), permitting advance waivers of corporate opportunities (adopted in 2000) Section 251(g), permitting holding company reorganizations without a stockholder vote (adopted in 1995) Steve was one of the original group of venture capital lawyers who drafted the NVCA model venture financing documents, and he currently serves on the National Venture Capital Association GC Advisory Board and participates in updating those documents annually. While a member of the ABA Corporate Laws Committee, Steve was involved in drafting several additions to the MBCA, including provisions adding a statutory ratification procedure and provisions permitting the formation of public benefit corporations. He was also involved in drafting several new sections of the 7th edition of the Corporate Directors Guidebook. Steve served as president of Richards Layton from 2008-2011. He was a member of the ABA Corporate Laws Committee from 2014-2020 and currently is a member of the Tri-bar Legal Opinion Committee. Steve is a frequent speaker on DGCL developments and practice issues.

Robert L. Burns

“An excellent trial lawyer” (Chambers USA), Robert Burns has worked on an extraordinary number of Chancery Court trials. Rob has litigated numerous corporate control, corporate governance, fiduciary duty, appraisal, and contractual disputes in Delaware’s state and federal courts. Focusing primarily on corporate and commercial litigation, he represents Delaware corporations, LLCs, limited partnerships, and their officers, directors, and managers. “Rob is top notch, accessible and accommodating” (Chambers USA, 2025). Very active in pro bono and civic matters, Rob has served as a child attorney, worked pro bono on the firm’s Protection from Abuse team, and received the Delaware National Guard’s Distinguished Service Medal for helping to represent two charities associated with the Delaware National Guard.

Susan Hannigan Cohen

Susan Hannigan Cohen focuses on litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court. Representing Delaware corporations and alternative entities and their officers, directors, and managers, Sue handles disputes involving mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, corporate control, fiduciary duties, and statutory and contractual issues. She is particularly experienced in stockholder derivative and class actions, as well as in representing committees of boards of directors formed to perform internal investigations.

Mark D. Collins

“Mark Collins is one of the most respected lawyers in the Delaware bankruptcy Bar. He is simply outstanding” (Chambers USA, 2025). Recognized as a leading bankruptcy lawyer both in Delaware and throughout the U.S., Mark has been involved in hundreds of significant bankruptcy cases in Delaware. He has received Chambers’ prestigious Star Individual ranking every year since 2012, with Chambers reporting that Mark “gets strong results for his clients, and his work ethic and skill are top class.” Mark has served as counsel to hundreds of large, troubled companies, secured creditors, debtor-in-possession lenders, creditors’ committees, boards of directors (including special or independent committees), and acquirers of businesses and assets in large corporate chapter 11 cases, pre-packaged chapter 11 cases, chapter 15 cases, and out-of-court restructurings. He is a frequent lecturer at national corporate restructuring and bankruptcy seminars.

F. Peter Conaty Jr.

F. Peter Conaty Jr. is “a real expert in local estate planning” with a “tremendous reputation” (Chambers HNW). Peter focuses his practice on income taxation of trusts and estates, probate, wealth preservation, and planning matters involving estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes. Clients report, “Peter is excellent…. He’s really smart and a really good attorney to work with—he’s interested in coming up with a solution” (Chambers HNW). Peter represents high-net-worth individuals in sophisticated estate planning matters, as well as individuals and corporate fiduciaries in connection with estate and trust administration. He also advises clients on Delaware trust law, including directed trusts, dynasty trusts, and all aspects of the validity, construction, and administration of Delaware trusts.

Frederick L. Cottrell III

A leading force in Delaware’s IP bar, Fred Cottrell has “phenomenal knowledge of the judges and courts” (Chambers USA). Fred regularly handles significant IP litigation before the United States District Court for the District of Delaware and in Delaware’s state courts. Clients cite his “incredibly deep knowledge,” calling him a “standout trial attorney” (Chambers USA). Fred’s practice also includes several other areas of litigation, including antitrust, products liability, and commercial law. Acclaimed as “an outstanding litigator” (Chambers USA, 2025), Fred has represented such industry giants as: Google Micron Technology Advanced Micro Devices Apple 10x Genomics Universal Robots Gilead L’Oréal A prominent figure in Delaware District Court practice, Fred participated in a recent panel on IP practice with several judges handling such cases. He is past chair of the Complex Commercial Litigation Division Advisory Committee for the Delaware Superior Court and past co-chair of the Delaware District Court’s IP Advisory Committee. Fred has spoken at numerous seminars in his fields of practice, including at the Federal Circuit Bar Association on the use of injunctions in patent cases and at the ABA spring meeting on judicially assisted ADR. He has also been a frequent speaker on Delaware District Court practice.

Matthew S. Crisimagna

Matthew Criscimagna, senior vice president of the firm, provides his clients with top-notch legal advice relating to Delaware alternative entities. Matt renders legal opinions and handles a wide variety of transactions involving limited liability companies, limited partnerships, and general partnerships. He advises on entity formation, operation, and governance matters, as well as structured finance transactions, investment fund transactions, joint venture transactions, dissolutions, mergers, acquisitions, conversions, and domestications. Matt’s practice also involves advising clients on fiduciary duty and contractual interpretation issues with respect to Delaware alternative entities.

Brock E. Czeschin

Brock Czeschin represents Delaware corporations, alternative entities, and their directors and managers in complex corporate litigation matters. Brock has litigated numerous disputes in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and also regularly advises clients on governance and transactional issues relating to Delaware corporations and alternative entities. Brock’s practice includes: Representing corporations and their directors in class, derivative, and direct actions involving alleged breaches of fiduciary duty Representing Delaware alternative entities and their managers in litigation involving control disputes, alleged breaches of fiduciary duty, and alleged breaches of contract Advising Delaware limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and their managers regarding the application of fiduciary duty concepts in the alternative entity context

Doneene K. Damon

Considered “incredibly smart” and an “outstanding lawyer” (Chambers USA, 2025), Doneene Damon is chair of the firm’s Corporate Trust and Agency Services Group. “When Doneene speaks, everyone listens” (Chambers USA, 2025). She focuses her practice on formation and operational issues relating to Delaware statutory trusts and Delaware and New York common law trusts in all types of commercial and business transactions, representing issuers, underwriters, investors, and trustees. Doneene advises clients on the use of common law trusts, statutory trusts, owner trusts, master trusts, series trusts, and titling trusts in connection with capital markets transactions. ”Experienced, careful, smart and very personable” (Chambers USA), Doneene was recently name among the Forbes Best-in-State Lawyers for Delaware, 2025. She is also named among the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Diversity Leaders in Business, the News Journal’s Most Influential Delawareans, Savoy Magazine’s Most Influential Black Lawyers, and a Women, Influence & Power in Law Managing Partner of the Year. Her practice includes representing banks and trust companies in connection with their trust and agency services under Delaware and New York law in various commercial transactions, including their roles as trustee, collateral agent, verification agent, custodian, master servicer, depository agent, securities intermediary, paying agent, registrar and transfer agent, and exchange agent. She also served as primary Delaware counsel in a series of first-to-market structured finance transactions employing the use of blockchain distributed ledger technology. Doneene’s varied corporate trust transactional practice includes asset-backed securities, including auto loans and leases, credit cards, student loans, consumer loans, residential mortgages, home equity loans, equipment leases, litigation settlements, insurance policies, and intellectual property; collateralized loan obligations; cross-border leasing transactions; mutual funds and exchange traded funds; health care receivables; liquidation trusts; voting trusts; independent director and independent manager; private equity funds; defeasance transactions; capital securities and hybrid capital securities; and royalty trusts

Catherine G. Dearlove

Daniel J. DeFranceschi

“Incredibly insightful, very thorough, and well respected by the judges” (Chambers USA), Daniel DeFranceschi represents corporate debtors and creditors in all aspects of chapter 11 cases. Praised as the “go-to for complex restructuring matters” (Chambers USA), Dan has represented numerous chapter 11 debtors as well as creditors, equity participants, and purchasers in some of the largest chapter 11 and chapter 7 cases in the country. Clients report that “Dan is a very skilled lawyer who knows the courts very well” (Chambers USA, 2025). “He’s fantastic—he’s polished, well prepared” and “has the chops and know-how to handle big cases” (Chambers USA). Dan’s experience encompasses many business segments, including retail, energy, manufacturing, automotive, casino, entertainment, amusement parks, real estate development, subprime mortgage lending, telecommunications, high tech, natural resources, food products, flexible office solutions, airlines, and healthcare, among others. In addition to his core chapter 11 practice, Dan has spent considerable time working on bankruptcy policy and legislative initiatives.

Raymond J. DiCamillo

“Raymond DiCamillo is a consummate professional with deep experience in all aspects of Chancery litigation” (Chambers USA, 2025). Ray is chair of the firm’s Corporate Department. He has successfully litigated numerous corporate control, corporate governance, statutory, and contractual disputes in Delaware’s state and federal courts. “A walking encyclopedia of Delaware law” (Chambers USA, 2025), Ray also provides non-litigation counsel, advising Delaware business organizations and their fiduciaries and constituents. Clients report that “he is incredibly knowledgeable and practical,” with one noting simply that “Ray is my first choice for Delaware” (Chambers USA, 2025). Ray also advises corporate boards and board committees with respect to governance, litigation, investigational, and transactional issues. “A seasoned and effective litigator” (Chambers USA) who is noted for his knowledge of the Delaware Court of Chancery, Ray has lectured on Court of Chancery practice as well as fiduciary duties and governance in Delaware corporations.

Kelly E. Farnan

Kelly Farnan is “a great advocate” who has “instant credibility whenever she enters the courtroom” (Chambers USA). Kelly focuses her practice on complex commercial and intellectual property litigation in Delaware’s state and federal courts. She has been involved in numerous bench and jury trials and has also been successful in resolving disputes in her clients’ favor through dispositive motions. Praised as “smart, aware, and responsive” (Chambers USA), Kelly focuses her IP litigation practice on complex patent disputes in the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, representing national and international manufacturing, telecommunications, technology, and pharmaceutical companies. She has also represented clients in arbitrations under the Delaware Uniform Arbitration Act and by the American Arbitration Association. Kelly is active in the Delaware chapter of the Federal Bar Association, the association through which the Delaware district court interacts with the intellectual property bar. She is past president of the Delaware chapter of the FBA and is a past participant and coordinator of the Federal Trial Practice Seminar sponsored by the district court and the FBA.

Steven J. Fineman

Steven Fineman, assistant general counsel of the firm, focuses his practice on intellectual property and commercial litigation. He has experience litigating complex disputes in all of Delaware’s state and federal courts, including appeals to the Delaware Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Steve has substantial experience in Hatch-Waxman litigation. His clients have included large pharmaceutical companies as well as technology and communications companies. Steve co-authored a chapter in ANDA Litigation: Strategies and Tactics for Pharmaceutical Patent Litigators.

Anne has over 35 years of experience litigating complex corporate and commercial disputes in the Delaware courts. She represents corporations, members of boards of directors, and substantial stockholders in litigation concerning mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, and fiduciary duties. Anne also represents clients in special committee matters, including investigations regarding stockholder demands and compliance issues. In addition, Anne’s practice includes advising clients regarding indemnification and advancement issues and other matters relating to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Anne is a member of the committee established by the Delaware Supreme Court to study transparency in third party litigation funding in the Delaware state courts. Anne is also a former chair of the Delaware Supreme Court Rules Committee. She is a member of the American Law Institute and has served as a panelist and board member of the Weinberg Center on Corporate Governance at the University of Delaware. A frequent speaker on issues relating to corporate litigation and ethics, Anne has co-taught classes at Columbia Law School, New York University School of Law and the University of Pennsylvania Law School.

Kevin M. Gallagher

Kevin Gallagher is “a great litigator with great judgment” (Chambers USA). Kevin primarily litigates complex corporate control, corporate governance, contractual, and other commercial disputes in the Delaware Court of Chancery, the Delaware Supreme Court and the federal courts of Delaware. His practice focuses on litigation and advisory matters relating to Delaware business organizations and their fiduciaries. Kevin’s matters routinely involve disputes arising out of mergers and acquisitions, stockholder class actions, stockholder derivative lawsuits, and disputes among boards of directors and significant stockholders. “An excellent trial practitioner” (Chambers USA), his recent matters also include statutory appraisal proceedings, corporate dissolution matters, advancement proceedings, and books and records actions. In law school, Kevin served as editor-in-chief of The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law and was the John F. Schmutz Corporate and Business Law Institute Fellow.

Mark J. Gentile

“An expert on Delaware transactional law and corporate governance” (Chambers USA), Mark Gentile has served as Delaware counsel on some of the world’s largest M&A transactions. “Substantively excellent, incredibly responsive and always accessible,” Mark is one of Delaware’s leading advisors on complex mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, recapitalizations, and corporate governance issues. He is “a highly trusted boardroom lawyer” who is considered “an expert on Delaware transactional law and corporate governance” (Chambers USA). Mark represents major corporations and their officers, directors, board committees, and stockholders. Mark is an appointed member of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Corporate Laws. He is a sought-after speaker on aspects of Delaware corporate law at seminars around the country.

Robert B. Greco

Rob Greco advises corporations, boards and committees on M&A transactions and corporate governance matters involving public and private corporations. Rob advises clients on a broad range of transactions and corporate governance matters involving Delaware corporations, including mergers, acquisitions, de-SPAC transactions and other business combinations, hostile takeovers, rights plans, proxy contests and stockholder meetings, charter and bylaw amendments, internal restructurings, equity and debt financings, dividends, stock repurchases and redemptions, and dissolutions. As part of his practice, Rob renders legal opinions on various matters of Delaware law. Rob is a member of the Mergers and Acquisitions Committee of the ABA Business Law Section and frequently writes and presents on emerging Delaware corporate law issues. Rob’s works include A Corporate Governance Solution to the Inefficiencies of Entire Fairness, a recent article in The Business Lawyer proposing a novel solution to address recent Delaware cases confirming the entire fairness standard’s broad application to controller transactions through standing demand review committees of independent directors. Rob has written on corporate law issues in numerous other publications, including as a contributor to the leading Delaware corporate law treatise The Delaware Law of Corporations and Business Organizations. As co-author of chapter 7 of this prominent treatise, Rob has written extensively on all aspects of stockholder meetings under Delaware law. Rob’s other articles have been published in The Delaware Journal of Corporate Law, Insights, The Review of Securities & Commodities Regulation, Business Law Today, Directors & Boards, The CLS Blue Sky Blog and other legal publications. Among them are Drafting Minutes and Preparing Disclosures in the Post-Corwin Era, which reviews modern best practices for corporate minute taking in light of Delaware law developments and trends, and Determining and Disclosing the Effect of Broker Non-Votes, which provides important technical guidance for corporate practitioners on an often-scrutinized part of proxy statements. While Rob principally counsels on transactional matters, he is frequently involved in litigation before the Delaware Court of Chancery as part of his practice. Rob’s involvement in Delaware litigation has included assistance with post-transaction litigation support and advising and developing litigation strategy on complex issues of corporate and contract law. In the widely covered appeal Moelis & Co. v. West Palm Beach Firefighters’ Pension Fund, Rob represented an esteemed group of law professors who filed an amicus brief in favor of reversal based on Delaware’s traditional ripeness principles. Rob has also prepared and overseen petitions in the Delaware Court of Chancery seeking the validation of defective corporate acts pursuant to Section 205 of the DGCL. Outside of court, Rob has extensive experience ratifying defective corporate acts pursuant to Section 204 of the DGCL. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Rob received Columbia’s Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International and Comparative Law after studying at the University of Oxford during law school. Rob attended Oxford as part of the Columbia-Oxford Alliance in Law and Finance, where he participated in a program taught jointly by Oxford’s Faculty of Law and Saïd Business School. While a law student, Rob worked as an intern for the Honorable Paul A. Crotty of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and the Investor Protection Bureau of the New York State Office of the Attorney General.

Paul Heath is president of the firm. Praised for his “top-notch knowledge and expertise” (Chambers USA), Paul practices in the areas of bankruptcy, insolvency, and creditor’s rights, focusing on the representation of debtors, secured creditors, purchasers, committees, and other parties in chapter 11 cases. Clients report that “he is a strategic partner and a very effective lawyer. The judgment he brings to the table is phenomenal” (Chambers USA). Paul has served as lead counsel in several large chapter 11 cases and as co-counsel in numerous significant chapter 11 matters. He also provides advice and legal opinions regarding Delaware law in true sale, true lease, and true contribution matters.

John D. Hendershot

An “impressive advocate … with deep Delaware law knowledge” (Chambers USA), John Hendershot successfully litigates complex, high-stakes disputes. John focuses his practice on corporate litigation in Delaware’s state and federal courts. He regularly handles matters involving fiduciary duties of directors, statutory appraisal rights, advancement and indemnification rights, statutory rights to inspect books and records, and commercial and contract law.

Tara J. Hoffner

Tara Hoffner is vice chair of the firm’s Business Department and one of Delaware’s leading attorneys in Delaware statutory trusts and common law trusts. Tara represents trustees, banks, trust companies, and administrative service providers in asset-backed securities transactions and structured finance transactions. Tara counsels clients on securitizations, debt issuances, equipment and project finance transactions, leveraged lease transactions, trust preferred transactions, liquidating trusts, litigation trusts, and collateral agency, escrow, custody, paying agent, and registrar roles. Tara’s experience in trust, trustee, and service provider representation spans virtually all asset classes and transaction structures, and she has represented trustees, administrators, paying agents, escrow agents, and custodians and acted as Delaware trust counsel in some of the world’s most complex and significant Delaware trust transactions. Serving as special Delaware counsel in Delaware statutory trust and common law trust transactions of all types, Tara’s broad opinion practice encompasses statutory trusts, series trusts, federal and state banking institutions, trustees, common law trusts, and other matters of Delaware law.

Travis S. Hunter

Travis Hunter is “highly focused, smart, and savvy counsel” (Chambers USA). Travis is an accomplished trial attorney who has successfully handled significant cases in all of Delaware’s state and federal courts. He has particular expertise in handling large commercial disputes in the Delaware Superior Court’s Complex Commercial Litigation Division (CCLD), serving as trial counsel in some of the largest cases ever filed in that division. Highly regarded by clients and peers alike, Travis “is a brilliant attorney who has an ability to see right to the core of issues, and he provides intelligent insight on how best to keep the case focused” (Chambers USA). He routinely litigates complex disputes involving intellectual property and trade secrets, cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, business contracts, mergers and acquisitions, insurance coverage, and products liability. Travis has also acted as trial counsel in large arbitrations filed with the American Arbitration Association. Travis serves on the Delaware Superior Court’s Rules Committee and the CCLD Rules Committee and is active in the American Bar Association’s Section of Commercial and Business Litigation. He has also completed the Federal Trial Practice Seminar sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

Kenneth E. Jackman

Kenneth Jackman focuses on transactional and advisory matters involving publicly traded limited partnerships and limited liability companies. Ken provides advice to boards of directors and board committees on a wide variety of matters, including governance, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, and sales of assets. Ken also advises directors and managers of limited partnerships and limited liability companies regarding their fiduciary duties. Highly regarded by clients and peers alike, Travis “is a brilliant attorney who has an ability to see right to the core of issues, and he provides intelligent insight on how best to keep the case focused” (Chambers USA). He routinely litigates complex disputes involving intellectual property and trade secrets, cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, business contracts, mergers and acquisitions, insurance coverage, and products liability. Travis has also acted as trial counsel in large arbitrations filed with the American Arbitration Association. Travis serves on the Delaware Superior Court’s Rules Committee and the CCLD Rules Committee and is active in the American Bar Association’s Section of Commercial and Business Litigation. He has also completed the Federal Trial Practice Seminar sponsored by the U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware.

Jennifer C. Jauffret

Jennifer Jauffret’s “knowledge, experience, and incredible wisdom lead to really strong and successful outcomes” (Chambers USA, 2025). Head of the firm’s Labor and Employment Group, Jennifer represents a wide variety of management clients in all types of labor and employment law matters, from providing advice on day-to-day employee issues to defending clients before state and federal agencies and courts. Providing “advice that is both technically sound and reasonable,” Jennifer’s approach “is quick, focused, efficient and effective” (Chambers USA). Jennifer is a knowledgeable drafter of employment, severance, separation, nondisclosure, noncompete, and other employee agreements, as well as employee policies and handbooks. She is an experienced trainer and speaker on all aspects of employment law, including harassment, and instructs both managers and employees regarding compliance with ever-evolving employment laws and regulations. Jennifer also trains employers on preventing and reducing exposure to lawsuits. “She can handle pretty much everything” (Chambers USA). “Excellent at strategic thinking and at giving advice that is tactical and also practical” (Chambers USA, 2024), Jennifer brings a detail-oriented, fact-specific approach to difficult matters, with clients noting that she “makes a point to understand the intricacies of our business” (Chambers USA). Jennifer assists businesses with employment issues arising in corporate transactions as well as general employee issues such as noncompete agreements and discipline/termination situations. She has experience litigating breach of restrictive covenant cases (including nondisclosure, noncompetition, and nonsolicitation restrictions) in the Delaware Court of Chancery; defending clients against charges of discrimination, hostile work environment, and retaliation; and defending FLSA, FMLA, and WARN Act claims, and other employee claims in state and federal court. Jennifer devotes significant time to community service, providing pro bono legal advice to Delaware nonprofits and leading the firm’s team of volunteers who represent abused and neglected children. She also coaches girls basketball at Ursuline Academy. Jennifer is a past recipient of the Delaware State Bar Association’s Community Service Award.

Former Judge Kent Jordan, who served as a federal judge for more than two decades, including a tenure on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit from 2006 to January 2025, joined Richards, Layton & Finger in February 2025. In addition to his tenure on the Third Circuit, former Judge Jordan’s 40+ years of experience includes serving as a judge on the United States District Court for the District of Delaware from 2002 to 2006. He was in private practice in Delaware from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1992 to 1997. In between, Kent worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of Delaware. From 1998 to 2002, he was general counsel and a vice president of the Corporation Service Company in Wilmington, Delaware. Kent joins Richards Layton as a director in the firm’s Litigation Department, practicing in the Intellectual Property Group, which handles significant IP litigation before Delaware’s district and state courts. He will also assist with other litigation matters, including mediations, arbitrations, appeals, and litigation advice, drawing on his wide experience with corporate, antitrust, securities, and bankruptcy disputes. Kent is an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School and the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, where he currently teaches a class on patent litigation.

Cory D. Kandestin

Select Experience WOM S.A.: Co-counsel to debtor and led special committee investigation into related-party claims Sunpower Corporation: Co-counsel to debtor and led audit committee investigation into estate claims subject to plan releases Amyris, Inc.: Represented large creditor in contested chapter 11 plan confirmation proceedings Nogin, Inc.: Represented debtor in expedited summary judgment litigation in connection with plan confirmation Ruby Pipeline, L.L.C.: Co-counsel to debtor and led special committee investigation into claims against parent entities Mallinckrodt Plc: Led a segment of the investigation on behalf of independent directors evaluating viability of potential claims against affiliates Dunn Paper, Inc.: Led special committee investigation into potential related-party claims Energy Alloys, Inc.: Represented special committee investigating related-party transactions VIVUS, Inc.: Represented special committee investigating viability of debtor claims Chaparral Energy, L.L.C.: Represented debtor in Third Circuit appeal of class proof of claim Education Corporation of America: Represented receiver in dismissal of involuntary bankruptcy petition WMC Mortgage: Represented special committee investigating parent transactions Physiotherapy Holdings: Represented former owners in fraudulent transfer action Rockport Company: Represented debtor in contested DIP financing proceedings Horsehead Holding: Represented official equity committee in contested confirmation trial Skye Mineral Partners: Represented company in dismissal of involuntary bankruptcy petition Touch America: Represented asset purchaser in litigation over contested property Constar/Capsule International Holding: Represented former debtors’ counsel in malpractice litigation Conex Holdings: Represented pre-bankruptcy sellers of company who were sued for breach of fiduciary duty and fraudulent transfer Franklin Bank Corporation: Represented indenture trustee in successful appeal of adverse ruling Digital Domain: Represented foreign defendants in fraudulent transfer action seeking to avoid sale transaction Radnor Holdings Corporation: Represented secured lender against claims of fraud and misrepresentation Security National Properties: Represented bank acting as agent for lenders in contested plan confirmation Cynergy Data: Defended former shareholder in fraudulent transfer and fiduciary duty litigation brought by debtor Reliant Energy Channelview: Represented debtor in litigation with stalking horse bidder and litigation with asset purchaser Trident Microsystems: Acted as special counsel to Cayman Islands official liquidators Pitt Penn Holding: Defended clearing broker sued by debtor Eclipse Aviation: Represented noteholders intervening in constructive trust litigation between debtor and former customers Magna Entertainment: Represented debtor in litigation against former owner Charys Holding: Represented debtor in contested confirmation litigation Linens ‘n Things: Litigation counsel to the debtor Diamond Glass: Represented debtor’s principal stockholder in guaranty litigation with lenders Teleglobe Communications: Represented debtor in fiduciary duty litigation against parent company

Jonathan M. Kaplowitz

Jon Kaplowitz specializes in the formation and operation of Delaware and New York Trusts in structured finance and investment management transactions surrounding securitizations, debt restructuring, and investment companies. Jon also advises financial institutions and trust companies acting as securities administrators, paying agents, custodians, master servicers, indenture trustees, owner trustees, collateral administrators and other representative capacities in MBS, ABS, CLO, and other complex financial transactions. In addition to his expertise in structured finance, Jon’s practice includes providing advice to open- and closed-end investment companies in connection with entity formation and dissolution, capital raising transactions (including rights offerings), credit facilities, fiduciary duty issues, fund reorganizations and acquisitions, defensive planning, proxy contests, and shareholder meetings. In law school, Jon was an associate editor for the University of Pennsylvania Journal of Business Law and the Journal of Law & Public Affairs.

Daniel E. Kaprow

Daniel Kaprow was an articles editor for the Maryland Carey School of Law’s Journal of Business & Technology Law. Daniel focuses his practice on litigation in the Delaware Court of Chancery and the Delaware Supreme Court involving corporate governance, corporate control, mergers and acquisitions, valuation, fiduciary duties, contractual disputes, and other commercial disputes. In law school, Daniel was a writing fellow in the school’s Legal Writing Center. He also served as the Written and Oral Advocacy chair of the Moot Court Board and was a member of the National Trial Team. Upon graduation, Daniel received the William P. Cunningham Award, presented by the faculty for exceptional achievements and service to the school, and was inducted into the Order of Barristers, a national honor society recognizing excellence in trial and appellate advocacy.

Bernard J. Kelley

A “go-to guy for complex Delaware partnership matters” (Chambers USA), Bernard Kelley is chair of the Business Department. With more than 30 years of experience in the organization and operation of Delaware alternative entities, Bernie handles a wide variety of transactional matters involving Delaware limited liability companies, general partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability partnerships, and statutory trusts. Bernie’s practice includes investment fund formation matters, structured finance transactions, joint venture transactions, entity governance, mergers and acquisitions, fiduciary duty issues, contract interpretation issues, and entity dissolutions. Bernie renders legal opinions and provides litigation support in connection with disputes involving Delaware alternative entities. He also represents banks and trust companies in commercial transactions and regulatory matters, including before Delaware state regulatory authorities.