Bankruptcy & Restructuring

What the work involves

We represent trustees, creditor committees, directors and purchasers in the litigation that follows a corporate collapse, from adversary proceedings in bankruptcy court to appeals in the Seventh Circuit.

Much of the work concerns timing: when a business became insolvent, what its directors knew at that point, and which transfers made afterward can be clawed back for creditors.

For trustees and committees we build claims from the debtor's own records, which means long weeks with ledgers, board minutes and email before anyone files a complaint.

For directors and officers the priority is early, candid advice about exposure, insurance coverage and whether a negotiated resolution is realistic before positions harden.

Restructurings rarely end neatly. We also handle the disputes that survive a confirmed plan, including litigation trusts, earn-out claims against buyers of assets, and fights over reserves.

Matters we see often

• Fraudulent transfer and preference actions in adversary proceedings
• Breach of fiduciary duty claims against directors of failed companies
• Litigation trust claims after a confirmed Chapter 11 plan
• Disputes over sale proceeds, reserves and plan interpretation

Illustrative matters in this area