Latham & Watkins LLP has substantially enhanced its market position through a series of senior lateral hires. Operating across multiple industries, the firm is now widely considered to be a leader in company-side engagements in the restructuring and bankruptcy field, along with having genuine credibility in creditor-side representations. It benefits from its bountiful private equity client base, along with a substantial list of public company clients, rounded off by its contacts to banks, direct lenders and private credit providers. Ray Schrock has joined as global chair of the restructuring and special situations team, arriving alongside Candace Arthur and Alexander Welch from Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Andrew Parlen was hired from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP to lead the US restructuring team, while Joseph Zujkowski has arrived from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP to bolster the team’s creditor-side expertise. George Davis has an outstanding reputation, with Los Angeles-based Jeff Bjork and Chicago’s Caroline Reckler also highly rated. David Hammerman and Los Angeles-based Helena Tseregounis are notable practitioners. Named individuals are based in New York unless stated otherwise.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Jeff Bjork is known widely for his restructuring work. He emphasizes the necessary commercial foundations of restructuring projects, while his knowledge and experience in negotiation and on legal matters are exceptional.'
Key clients
- 2U
- AIG Financial Products
- Attestor Capital
- Audacy
- Bank of Montreal (BMO)
- Barretts Minerals
- Cox Operating
- CPF - Canada Holdings Corp
- Deutsche Bank
- EPR Properties
Work highlights
- Represented AIG Financial Products, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AIG, in its chapter 11 proceedings in the Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
- Represented Travelport in an out-of-court restructuring of approximately $4.3bn of funded debt.
- Advised Audacy and its debtor affiliates in their multi-billion dollar pre-packaged chapter 11 cases to implement a consensual restructuring of their balance sheet.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
George Davis; David Hammerman; Caroline Reckler
Other key lawyers
Ray Schrock; Candace Arthur; Alexander Welch; Andrew Parlen; Joseph Zujkowski; Jeff Bjork; Helena Tseregounis