With headquarters in Hackensack, the bankruptcy and corporate restructuring practice at Cole Schotz P.C. is well-versed in representing distressed companies in complex restructurings in and out of court, state and federal insolvencies, and bankruptcy litigation, including Chapter 11 cases. Michael Sirota chairs the team out of the Hackensack office and has advised major corporations, financial institutions, and stakeholders across the retail, life sciences, and energy industries in high-stakes restructurings. Other key members of the team include practice deputy chairs Felice Yudkin, based in Hackensack, who experience in high-profile Chapter 11 cases and other restructurings on behalf of debtors and stakeholders of national companies, with casework spanning the retail, manufacturing, technology, and healthcare industries. David Dean based in Wilmington, handles multifaceted bankruptcy and restructuring matters, with experience representing debtors, creditors, and stakeholders in bankruptcy litigation.
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Key clients
- Brilliant National / Whittaker Clark & Daniels
- CCA Construction, Inc.
- Del Monte Foods Holding
- Joann Inc. and its Affiliated Debtors and Debtors-In-Possession
- MHR Advisory as Liquidation Trustee of ESCO LLC d/b/a Shoe City
- New Rite Aid, LLC
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Claire's Holdings LLC
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Eventide Credit Acceptance, LLC
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of F21 OpCo, LLC, et al.
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Liberated Brands LLC
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Purdue Pharma L.P.
- Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Big Lots
- Official Committee of Unsecured of SVB Financial Group
- PetroQuest Energy, Inc.
- Prepaid Wireless Group
- SunEdison Litigation Trust
Work highlights
Served as co-counsel to Pretium Packaging, LLC in connection with its Chapter 11 proceedings designed to reduce the company's funded debt by approximately $900 million, raise new debt and equity financing, and pay general unsecured creditors in full.
Served as Chapter 11 co-counsel to STG Logistics, in Chapter 11 proceedings to eliminate approximately 91% of nearly $1 billion in debt, strengthen the company's financial foundation, and support future growth with up to $150 million in new financing.
Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors as co-counsel in the 2025 Forever 21 bankruptcy. The team reached a settlement to increase general unsecured creditor recoveries to 70% of net proceeds, insurance assets, and post-confirmation recoveries on estate assets subject to liens held by the secured lenders.
Practice head
Michael Sirota; Felice Yudkin; David Dean
Other key lawyers
Warren Usatine; Justin Alberto; Gary Leibowitz; Irving Walker