‘Global in its reach and effectiveness,’ Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton’s New York-based bankruptcy and restructuring department handle complex bankruptcy cases, including advising clients worldwide on restructuring matters that cross legal and geographical borders. The firm represents both debtors and creditors in cross-border restructurings and insolvency proceedings across the US, Latin America, the Middle East and Asia for clients in a variety of industries including crypto, energy and retail. Richard Cooper has a focus on Latin America in restructuring involving companies and countries, while Lisa Schweitzer has advised a range of parties including corporate debtors and individual creditors in domestic and cross-border bankruptcies. Sean O’Neal has a split practice between creditor and debtor work, both in and out of court, whereas David Botter joined the firm in 2023 from Akin and is experienced in multijurisdictional and cross-border matters for distressed companies and creditors. Luke Barefoot is noted for his expertise in bankruptcy litigation and cross-border bankruptcy disputes.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team has been global in its reach and effectiveness. We have worked with them on restructuring not just in the US but in multiple non-US jurisdictions.’
‘We have worked most closely and successfully with David Botter who joined Cleary as a partner within the lasts year after having been a partner at Akin Gump. Our experience working with multiple partners and offices has been seamless.’
‘They have a stellar Latin American practice. they are lean and provide practical advice and know their subject matter well. they do not overbill like other law firms. they are also very diverse in their partners and associates.’
‘Working with the team is a pleasure. they become true friends and partners in the deal listening to your opinions and thoughts.’
‘They know deeply the market, the law and consciences of the most of the decisions. But much more than this, they work in team giving clients a personal and a unique service.’
Key clients
- LATAM Airlines
- Goldman Sachs
- PT Garuda Indonesia (Persero) Tbk
- Samarco Mineração S.A.
- Credit Suisse
- BNP Paribas
- Genesis Global Holdco, LLC
- HSBC
- Mubadala Investment Company
- AMERRA Capital Management, LLC
Work highlights
- Represented LATAM Airlines Group S.A. and some of its affiliates in Chile, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, the Cayman Islands, and the United States, in the company’s successful exit from a first-of-its-kind cross-border debt restructuring before the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.
- Representing Genesis Global Capital and certain of its affiliates, in their Chapter 11 restructuring proceeding involving over $5 billion in debt, and related corporate governance, litigation, regulatory, and investigative matters, including an investigation overseen by the Board’s Special Committee, as well as a robust sale process of debtor and non-debtors assets.
- Represented an ad hoc group of bondholders of bonds issued by subsidiaries of Azul S.A. a Brazilian airline, in the out-of-court restructuring of approximately $1.5 billion of indebtedness and a new money raise of $800 million.
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
Richard Cooper; Sean O’Neal; Lisa Schweitzer
Other key lawyers
Luke Barefoot; David Botter