Biography
Matthew Cavenaugh is a trial lawyer who focuses on complex business bankruptcy litigation.
A seasoned actor and former judicial law clerk, Matt understands the importance of communicating complex legal arguments with clarity and conviction – both in and out of court. From the moment a client steps in the door until closing argument, Matt uses his distinctive talents for storytelling, humor, and creativity to persuasively and fiercely advocate for his clients.
Matt is at home in bankruptcy court, where he regularly represents secured and unsecured creditors, debtors, Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 trustees, third-party purchasers and other interest holders in a wide variety of insolvency and restructuring matters. Matt has extensive experience representing third-party purchasers of assets through Chapter 11 reorganizations, including oil & gas and intellectual property assets. In addition to bankruptcy litigation, he has extensive experience pursuing and litigating corporate fraud claims.
Prior to joining Jackson Walker, Matt served over two years as judicial law clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judges Wesley W. Steen and Judge Marvin Isgur (SDTX).
Education
B.A., with honors, Trinity University
- Distinguished Student of Drama
J.D., South Texas College of Law Houston
Bar Admissions
Texas
Court Admissions
United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
United States District Court for the Eastern, Northern, Southern, and Western Districts of Texas
Recent representations include:
- Representation of manufacturer in its Chapter 11 case to address products liability claims and an FDA recall arising from distribution of faulty hand sanitizer and related products and to wind up the business.
- Representation of Chapter 11 debtor in possession of a sixth-generation, ultra-deepwater semi-submersible drilling rig. Through its chapter 11 case, the debtor intends to address operational issues and sell or equitize the semi-submersible to satisfy the debtor’s guaranty of nearly $950 million of secured bonds.
- Represented a retailer in obtaining approval of a prepackaged reorganization plan within 24 hours of filing its Chapter 11 cases, setting a national record for the fastest-ever prepackaged case from filing to emergence. As a result of the restructuring, the retailer eliminated $450 million of debt, received $225 million of new capital for growth initiatives, and was able to maintain all 291 of its store locations across 16 states.
- Representation of a petitioning creditor in an involuntary bankruptcy proceeding over a chain of retail medical spas. After contentious litigation with shareholders, officers, and affiliates, obtained an order for relief and the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee over the debtor.
- Representation of a petrochemical company holding a multimillion-dollar unsecured claim against a multinational paint manufacturer. Successfully achieved appointment to creditors’ committee and favorable recovery of claim through bankruptcy asset sale.
- Representation of a national steel processing company in lawsuit concerning fraud and theft by the company’s former finance officer. After a three-week trial, successfully obtained judgment of fraud and breach of fiduciary duty, with damages in excess of $1 million.
- Representation of a Chapter 11 debtor in possession owner of an industrial wax company. Following protracted litigation with a competitor, obtained confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
- Representation of former owner of major league sports team in bankruptcy litigation related to sale of broadcast network.
- Representation of a Chapter 11 debtor in possession operator of a petrochemical disposal facility in Laredo, Texas. After protracted litigation with landlord, obtained confirmation of a plan of reorganization.
- Representation of an institutional lender in the recovery of real estate collateral and subsequent bankruptcy auction and sale.
- Representation of national broadcast network in fraudulent transfer litigation.
- Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Ranked for Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Texas, 2021-2023
- Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Restructuring & Insolvency Lawyers, 2020, 2022
- Texas Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters, 2018-2023
- H Texas Top Lawyers of Houston, 2020
- The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.), 2018-2023
- Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, 2018-2024
- Litigation – Bankruptcy, 2018-2024
- “Top Lawyer: Bankruptcy, Workout, and Debt” in Best of Houstonia, Houstonia Magazine, 2018, 2020
- “Texas Rising Star,” Thomson Reuters, 2013-2018
- Houston Association of Young Bankruptcy Lawyers, President, 2016-2017
- National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges NextGen Program, Participant, 2017
- American Bankruptcy Institute
- Texas Bar Foundation, Fellow
- Moller-Foltz American Inns of Court
- Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Steer Committee
- Globalaw Leadership Programme, Past Participant
September 19, 2023
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2023
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. 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.
August 17, 2023
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 287 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2024 Edition, Including 12 “Lawyers of the Year” and 80 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 287 Jackson Walker attorneys across 5 offices and 82 specialty practice areas in its 2024 edition, including 12 Lawyers of the Year and 80 Ones to Watch. In this year’s guide, Jackson Walker saw the largest number of attorneys in the areas of Commercial Litigation (66 attorneys) and Real Estate Law (60 attorneys) and the addition of 35 attorneys as Best Lawyers.
August 4, 2023
MentionsThe American Lawyer: Jackson Walker is Nation’s Top Local Counsel in Large Bankruptcies, as Bankruptcy and Restructuring Filings Rebound
The American Lawyer cited new research which named Jackson Walker’s Bankruptcy, Restructuring, & Recovery group as the top local debtor’s counsel in the nation so far this year.
June 20, 2023
Attorney NewsLawdragon Recognizes Matt Cavenaugh, Wade Cooper, and Kristhy Peguero Among Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers of 2023
“This elite corps of U.S. lawyers represent the best of the best helping companies navigate ailing economies and uncertain times,” Lawdragon noted in its announcement of the “500 Leading Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers” list for 2023.
June 1, 2023
SpotlightChambers and Partners Recognizes Jackson Walker Attorneys and Practices in 2023 USA and Global Guides
Jackson Walker is pleased to announce that Chambers and Partners has selected 51 attorneys and 17 departments for inclusion in the 2023 edition of the Global and USA guides. Attorneys recognized in the guides were ranked in 19 practice areas, with 4 attorneys listed among multiple areas and 6 named among the top attorneys nationwide in their respective areas.
January 27, 2023
Client ResultsDebtor 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.
November 7, 2022
Attorney News‘Houstonia’ Lists Jackson Walker Attorneys as “Top Lawyers” in Best of Houstonia
Jackson Walker is proud to announce the selection of Chevazz Brown, Matthew Cavenaugh, Carey Hain, Lindsey Moorhead, and Sang Shin to Houstonia Magazine’s “Top Lawyers” list of 2021-2022 in its Best of Houstonia.
September 21, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates Its 64 “Texas Super Lawyers” of 2022
Each year, less than 5% of attorneys in Texas are named to the list. 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.
August 18, 2022
Attorney News‘The Best Lawyers in America’ Honors 214 Jackson Walker Attorneys in 2023 Edition, Including 11 “Lawyers of the Year” and 41 “Ones to Watch”
The Best Lawyers in America has recognized 214 Jackson Walker attorneys across 6 offices and 79 specialty practice areas in its 2023 edition, including 11 Lawyers of the Year and 41 Ones to Watch. Best Lawyers listings are based on an exhaustive peer review survey of thousands of attorneys who vote on the legal abilities of others in their practice areas.
August 12, 2022
Attorney NewsJackson Walker Congratulates 17 Attorneys Named to 2022 Lawdragon 500 Lists
Jackson Walker announces the selection of 17 attorneys to Lawdragon‘s lists of the 500 leading practitioners in bankruptcy and restructuring law and corporate employment law.
- “Bigger In Texas: Ch. 11s In Lone Star State Outpace Delaware,” Law360 (May 2021)
- “Brazos Electric Coop Files for Bankruptcy,” The Texas Lawbook (March 2021)
- “Bankruptcy Experts: More Pain and Uncertainty Coming,” The Texas Lawbook (December 2020)
- “The Battle of the Texas Bankruptcy Legal Advisors – A Statistical Analysis of the Firms and Lawyers,” The Texas Lawbook (August 2020)
- “Bankrupt Hertz Seeks Permission To Raise $1 Billion In Preposterous New Stock Sale,” Forbes (June 2020)
- “Texas bankruptcies are up, and Houston is the epicenter,” Houston Chronicle (May 2020)
- “‘There is a Tsunami Coming’,” The Texas Lawbook (May 2020)
- “It’s Official: Neiman Marcus Files for Bankruptcy – Updated,” The Texas Lawbook (May 2020)
- “$20 Per Barrel Oil Sends Energy Companies to Restructuring Specialists in Droves,” Houston Chronicle (March 2020)
- “U.S. Shale’s Growth Rate Peaked Last Year, Slower Gains Ahead,” Reuters; The New York Times (June 2019)