Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery

We bring real world experience to the table and find efficient and proactive strategies to help all of our clients.

Our team has worked on matters that include complex corporate Chapter 11 cases, out of court workouts, and litigation proceedings for our clients. Our decades of experience in workouts and restructurings gives us the tools to successfully navigate sophisticated and complex matters for our clients, including preference and fraudulent transfer litigation, valuation and automatic stay proceedings, objections to discharge/dischargeability and commercial litigation. This experience helps our clients get the most favorable result in difficult and often tense situations.


Our Approach

Our solution-oriented approach ensures we are mobilized to respond to every client’s business needs, with a combination of business insight and bankruptcy experience.

We endeavor to stay abreast of the emerging issues and business cycles that affect various areas of commerce, drawing as needed on the many talented JW professionals who practice in industries including energy, healthcare, agriculture, real estate, finance, and retail commerce. Our goal is to assemble the appropriate mix of experience and talent on behalf each client, consider the remedies and processes available in bankruptcy, and use them in a way that will yield the best outcome for our client.

Our Reach

We represent clients in bankruptcy courts nationally, including Delaware, New York, and other jurisdictions nationwide. Many of our lawyers are former judicial law clerks. Our varied experiences mean we can respond quickly to our client’s needs wherever they may be.

Our Results

We excel at getting businesses reorganized and creditors paid. We assist clients in recovering their money and collateral when borrowers default or file for bankruptcy and represent secured and unsecured creditors and debtors in restructurings. We take a collaborative approach to obtain the highest possible recovery for our clients in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

Debtor Representation

  • iHeart: Served as co-counsel and conflicts counsel for iHeart Media, the largest radio broadcaster in the United States and the largest group of affiliated Chapter 11 cases ever filed in Texas. The Company had consolidated debts of over $20 billion and the Chapter 11 cases, which are the largest of 2018 based on outstanding debt, restructured over $16 billion of that debt. Our work encompassed pre-bankruptcy planning and first day motions, all the way through the disclosure statement/plan confirmation process and post-confirmation claim objections.
  • Linn Energy: Served as co-counsel and conflicts counsel for the Debtors where JW assisted with a contested confirmation hearing that resulted in the confirmation of a plan that restructured approximately $9 billion in funded debt. As conflicts counsel, Jackson Walker also assisted with post-confirmation matters, including hundreds of claim objections, significantly reducing the pool of general unsecured claims and yielding a higher distribution for valid claims.
  • El Paso Children’s Hospital: Represented a non-profit hospital in a highly contested and litigious Chapter 11 reorganization in the Western District of Texas. Following extensive and expedited litigation, filed and confirmed a 100-cent plan of reorganization in less than seven months.

Secured Creditor Representation

  • Represented national banks, state savings banks, and other institutional lenders in bankruptcies, receiverships, and workouts in a variety of industries and businesses, including healthcare companies, energy companies (upstream, mid-stream and down-stream), real estate companies (landlords and developers), manufacturers, technology companies, and a wide variety of other service providers, retailers, dealers, and suppliers.
  • Represented lead, agent, and/or participant banks in syndicated secured credit facilities in energy company Chapter 11 cases in Texas, Delaware, and New York, including C&J Energy, Chaparral Energy, Energy XXI, Knight Energy, North American Petroleum, Penn Virginia, Postrock Energy, Sabine Oil & Gas, and Samson Resources.
  • Represented MBS servicers and special servicers in connection with secured claims in distressed situations and company Chapter 11 cases.
  • Represented indenture trustees in Chapter 11 cases involving companies in the energy, agriculture, and automotive finance industries.
  • Represented an indenture trustee for a bond issuance in a Chapter 9 filing by a Texas city.

Unsecured Creditor Representation

  • Represented retail energy providers in Chapter 11 cases.
  • Represented seismic licensors in exploration and production Chapter 11 cases.
  • Represented former spouses in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases involving ex-spouses.
  • Represented trade creditors in Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases in a large number of varied industries.
  • Represented “first day” creditors as well as critical vendors before and during bankruptcy cases.
  • Represented creditor clients in claims litigation under section 502 of the Bankruptcy Code, including late-filed and estimated claims.

Committee Representation

  • Reichhold—Represented petrochemical company/trade creditor holding a multimillion-dollar unsecured claim against the debtor multinational paint manufacturer. Successfully achieved appointment to the Unsecured Creditors’ Committee (co-chair) and favorable recovery of claim (92%) through a negotiated asset sale.
  • North Texas Motorcars—Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors involving unsecured claims of $57 million in a subprime automobile lender.
  • Consolidated Fuel Corporation—Represented the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors with claims of $10 million, resulting in a plan that paid unsecured creditors in full, with interest.

Bankruptcy Trustee Representation

  • Represented Chapter 7 trustee in global enterprise case involving collection of accounts and recovery of fraudulent transfers against foreign corporations resulting in collection of $30m.
  • Represented Chapter 7 trustee coal mining and processing operation regarding the sale of assets and pursuit of accounts and fraudulent transfers.
  • Represented Chapter 7 trustee of failed shipping company with assets largely consisting of maritime lien claims on non-debtor owned vessels.
  • Represented Chapter 11 trustee of company with a million-acre oil and gas concession in Africa.
  • Represented receiver appointed over automobile dealership in taking control of assets, as well as the sale of installment sale contracts, vehicle inventory, and real estate.

Distressed Asset Buyers & Sellers Representation

  • Represented purchaser of all assets of a full-service pipe-bending business.
  • Represented purchaser buying three apartment projects totaling over $30m.
  • Represented purchaser of story treatment by major motion picture studio.
  • Represented purchasers of healthcare entities as a going concern through asset purchases and stock purchases.
  • Represented bidder in auction for real property in national retailer case.
  • Represented debtor in $15m sale of assets, including patents and licenses, for installation of proton therapy systems for radiation treatment of cancer patients.
  • Represented largest unsecured creditor in sale of 41-unit chain of liquor stores.

Landlord & Contract Counter Parties Representation

  • Represented a variety of landlords in large and complex cases throughout the nation, including Mattress Firm, Ignite Restaurants, Mac Acquisition, Radioshack, Toys “R” Us, Restaurants Acquisition, Circuit City, Movie Gallery, The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Borders, HUSA, Inc., Seahawk Drilling, and MJ Designs.
  • Represented national owner of real estate in numerous bankruptcy cases throughout Texas, including with respect to proposed treatment of leases and post-confirmation default issues.
  • Represented multiple seismic company licensors in various bankruptcy cases. Successfully opposed and negotiated acceptable terms for confirmation of proposed bankruptcy plans that would have negatively affected seismic licensor rights.
  • Represented energy trading counterparties regarding the treatment of their forward contracts and swap agreements in Chapter 11 cases.

Offshore drilling vessel with Jackson Walker logo
Debtor Team Represents Nautical Solutions in Chapter 11 Restructuring

Jackson Walker is partnering with lead counsel Kirkland & Ellis to represent Nautical Solutions, L.L.C. and its debtor affiliate in their Chapter 11 reorganization. On January 8, 2023, Nautical Solutions and its Texas affiliate filed prepackaged Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases in the Southern District of Texas – Houston Division, with estimated assets totaling $500 million to $1 billion.

Client Results • January 27, 2023

Jackson Walker Represents Technicolor S.A. in Chapter 15 Proceedings

Partnering with Kirkland & Ellis, Jackson Walker represented Technicolor S.A. in filing a Chapter 15 petition in the Southern District of Texas to help reduce $1.58 billion of debt resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Client Results • April 22, 2021

Oil rig at sunset with Jackson Walker logo
Jackson Walker Represents McDermott International in Exiting Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Jackson Walker served as local counsel to McDermott International and 225 of its subsidiaries and affiliates, including 107 foreign domiciled entities, in their prepackaged Chapter 11 cases in the Southern District of Texas.

Client Results • April 22, 2021

Shopping bags in parking lot with Jackson Walker logo
Jackson Walker Represents Belk in Fastest-Ever Chapter 11 Emergence

The Charlotte, North Carolina-based retailer filed its Chapter 11 cases at 5 p.m. The prepackaged reorganization plan was approved by 10 a.m. the following day and went effective just four hours later—setting a national record for the fastest-ever prepackaged case from filing to emergence.

Client Results • March 1, 2021

Energy power plant with Jackson Walker logo
Jackson Walker Represents Frontera Holdings in Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Proceedings

Jackson Walker is partnering with Kirkland & Ellis in representing Frontera Holdings, LLC, the owner and operator of the only U.S.-based power plant that sells all of its power to Mexico, in filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on February 3, 2021.

Client Results • February 23, 2021

Emilio Nicolas, Scott Rose, Jennifer Wertz, and Jorge Padilla with Jackson Walker logo
Second Circuit Affirms Dismissal of Jackson Walker Client and Other Noteholders, Denying Bankruptcy Trustee’s Claim to Recover Over $1 Billion in Distributed Funds

The Second Circuit affirmed both the bankruptcy and district courts’ judgments interpreting section 560 in favor of the defendant noteholders. With the dismissal, LBSF failed to claw back roughly $1 billion in payments made to the noteholders in connection with the CDOs, as those payments were protected by the safe harbor.

Client Results • October 14, 2020

Dallas attorneys Alex Frutos, Mike Held, and Ron Kerridge with Jackson Walker logo
Jackson Walker Represents Zimmer Partners in PIPE Agreement to Fund PG&E Corporation’s Chapter 11 Exit Financing

As PG&E Corporation prepares to emerge out of bankruptcy, Zimmer Partners entered into a definitive investment agreement to purchase $675M of an aggregate $3.25B in common stock of PG&E.

Client Results • June 17, 2020

Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Reverses District Court in Favor of Linn Energy

On June 19, 2019, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reversed the district court and reinstated the bankruptcy court’s dismissal of a post-confirmation attempt by the State of Oklahoma to obtain nearly $1 million in alleged unclaimed royalty payments held by Linn Energy.

Client Results • June 19, 2019

Jackson Walker Represents Prophet Equity in its Acquisition of Substantially All Assets of Francis Drilling Fluids, Ltd.

Jackson Walker represented Prophet Equity in its acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Francis Drilling Fluids, Ltd., a Louisiana-based provider of energy services supporting both onshore and offshore drilling activities.

Client Results • January 29, 2019

Jackson Walker Wins Appellate Victory for Client and Advances Bankruptcy Jurisprudence

A new decision by the 5th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in New Orleans vacated and dismissed a $1 million judgment against a Jackson Walker client.

Client Results • September 15, 2014

More Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery Client Results

2026 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars honorees
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2026 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers has named 74 attorneys to the Texas Super Lawyers list and 56 attorneys to the Texas Rising Stars list for 2026.

Attorney News • February 26, 2026

Jackson Walker Announces Election of 20 Attorneys to Partnership

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the election of 20 attorneys to the firm’s partnership.

Attorney News • February 13, 2026

Wade Cooper Featured in Law360 on Texas’ 2026 Outlook

Jackson Walker managing partner C. Wade Cooper was featured in Law360 discussing how Texas law firms are preparing for a robust 2026 as capital markets activity, corporate migrations, and the buildout of AI‑driven data infrastructure accelerate across the state.

Attorney News • January 7, 2026

‘D Magazine’ Lists Four Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Best Lawyers Under 40” for 2026

Jackson Walker congratulates Dallas attorneys Adrian Allen, Vienna Flores Anaya, Miguel A. Ortiz, and Elizabeth W. Pittman on their inclusion in D Magazine’s 2026 “Best Lawyers Under 40” list recognizing outstanding young attorneys in the North Texas area.

Attorney News • December 30, 2025

Best Law Firms 2026 edition
Jackson Walker Earns 27 National and 142 Metropolitan Rankings in 2026 Edition of “Best Law Firms”

Jackson Walker proudly announces its inclusion in the 2026 edition of Best Law FirmsŽ by Best Lawyers. This year, Jackson Walker observed notable improvements in the rankings, including the addition of Construction Law as National Tier 3 and the advancement and additions of 14 practice areas in the metropolitan rankings.

Spotlight • November 6, 2025

2025 Super Lawyers and Rising Stars announcement
Jackson Walker Congratulates 2025 Texas Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce the recognition of 75 attorneys by Thomson Reuters’ Super Lawyers in the 2025 “Texas Super Lawyers” list, as well as 66 attorneys as “Texas Rising Stars” for 2025. Each year, less than 5% of attorneys are selected to Super Lawyers and 2.5% to Rising Stars. Selection is based off of peer nominations that are then reviewed by a research team. Each nominee is evaluated on his or her professional accomplishments, peer recognition, and community involvement.

Attorney News • September 18, 2025

USA flags
‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Features 350 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2026 Edition, Including 10 “Lawyers of the Year” and 106 “Ones to Watch”

The Best Lawyers in America, a widely regarded guide to legal excellence, has recognized 350 Jackson Walker attorneys across 87 specialty practice areas in its 2026 edition, including 10 Lawyers of the Year and 106 Ones to Watch.

Attorney News • August 21, 2025

‘Austin Monthly’ Lists 44 Jackson Walker Attorneys Among “Austin’s Top Attorneys” of 2025

Jackson Walker congratulates the 44 attorneys recognized among Austin Monthly’s list of “Austin’s Top Attorneys” for 2025. For recognition in the list, Austin attorneys must be nominated by their peers on the basis that they offer experienced counsel in one of 40 categories.

Attorney News • July 15, 2025

2023 Lawdragon Bankruptcy Restructuring Attorneys - Matt Cavenaugh, Wade Cooper and Kristhy Peguero
Lawdragon Recognizes Matt Cavenaugh, Wade Cooper, and Kristhy Peguero Among Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers of 2025

Jackson Walker is proud to share that Matt Cavenaugh, Wade Cooper, and Kristhy Peguero have been named to the 2025 Lawdragon 500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers list. Their recognition highlights their skill in navigating high-stakes financial challenges and delivering results.

Attorney News • June 30, 2025

Chambers USA Guide 2025 announcement
Chambers and Partners Releases 2025 USA Guide Featuring 79 Jackson Walker Attorneys and 28 Ranked Departments

Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 79 attorneys and 28 departments for inclusion in the 2025 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys were ranked across 29 departments, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas, 9 ranked nationwide in their respective areas, and 12 recognized for the first time.

Spotlight • June 5, 2025


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