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Ross Kwasteniet

Ross Kwasteniet

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Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

United States • Finance

1

Restructuring (including bankruptcy): corporate

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a global titan in the restructuring and bankruptcy field. Despite a slowdown in Chapter 11 cases, the firm has led the market in liability management transactions, applying its extensive resources in the restructuring segment, along with complementary expertise from the firm’s debt finance, capital markets and tax departments. The firm has a huge presence in company-side engagements, though due to the size of the team, it is also prominent in creditor-side matters. Its huge private equity client base brings it a wealth of company-wide relationships, along with representing the funds in acquiring assets out of bankruptcy. Amongst a multitude of headline mandates, the firm represented Rite Aid in its Chapter 11 cases in the US Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, which involved the de-levering of its balance sheet by approximately $2bn through a recapitalization transaction with its senior secured noteholders, right-sizing its lease portfolio, and through the court-approved sale of Elixir. It also advised WeWork on its landmark Chapter 11 filing, involving $18bn of total liabilities. Edward Sassower and Joshua Sussberg co-head the team, which includes Anup Sathy and Ross Kwasteniet . Steven Serajeddini and Ciara Foster impressed in the WeWork chapter 11 filing. Chicago’s Patrick Nash led the team in Yellow Corporation’s chapter 11 case, while Nicole Greenblatt and Christopher Greco are also names to note, along with Christine Okike. All named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
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Phone
+1 312-862-2069
Email
[email protected]
Profile
kirkland.com

Profile

Position

Ross M. Kwasteniet is a partner in the Restructuring Group. His practice is centered around the representation of distressed companies in all aspects of Chapter 11 reorganizations and out-of-court restructurings. Ross also has considerable experience representing both buyers and sellers of distressed assets. Ross has been recognized in the 2018–2025 editions of Chambers USA. Sources note Ross “provides great client service,” is “truly amazing,” “smart, engaged and commercial,” and is “a great advocate for his clients.” Sources additionally mention that Ross is “on high-profile cases and is very impressive,” “extremely practical, smart and efficient, and great at arriving at solutions” and “is a strong counselor, has excellent legal and business judgment, and is a good communicator.” Ross was recognized in 2024 edition of The Legal 500 for Restructuring: Corporate. Ross was also recognized in the 2021 edition of IFLR1000. In 2019, Ross was recognized as a Dealmaker of the Year by The American Lawyer. Ross was selected by Law360 as one of seven Bankruptcy “Rising Stars for 2016” in its list of top attorneys under 40. In 2015, Ross was named an “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer” by Turnarounds & Workouts, one of 12 individuals selected under the age of 40 for accomplishments in corporate restructuring.

Education

University of Michigan Law School, J.D., cum laude, 2001; Calvin College, B.A., World History, 1999.

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