Stephen Karotkin, since joining the firm in 1976, has concentrated in the area of business reorganizations, debt restructurings, debtor and creditors’ rights and financing transactions.
Mr. Karotkin was one of the lead attorneys representing General Motors in its historical chapter 11 case. He is also currently representing Aleris International in its chapter 11 case. He was also involved in the representation of Texaco Inc. in its case under chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code and has represented numerous other chapter 11 debtors including Revere Copper and Brass, Fine Host Corporation, Magellan Health Services, Formica Corporation, New World Pasta, and Loral Space & Communications. Mr. Karotkin also represented Eagle-Picher Industries, Inc. in its asbestos-related chapter 11 case, obtaining the first permanent asbestos claims injunction under section 524(g) of the Bankruptcy Code. Mr. Karotkin also represented Armstrong World Industries in its asbestos-related chapter 11 case.
Mr. Karotkin has been involved in numerous financing transactions in both the chapter 11 and out-of-court restructuring contexts, including representing many financial institutions in debtor in possession and other financing arrangements. In addition, he has represented both lenders and borrowers in connection with several out-of-court restructuring transactions. Mr. Karotkin was also involved in the restructuring of two major corporations located in Argentina.
Mr. Karotkin was named a Dealmaker of the Year 2010 by The American Lawyer. In 2008 and 2009, Mr. Karotkin was ranked as a "Leading" Lawyer for Bankruptcy/Restructuring in Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business. Mr. Karotkin was also named one of America's "Top 25 Pre-Eminent Insolvency Lawyers" by The Best of the Best USA 2010.
Mr. Karotkin is a Fellow of The American College of Bankruptcy, a member of the American Bar Association and its Section of Business Law and a member of the New York State Bar Association. Mr. Karotkin has lectured on numerous occasions, including the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges, the Goldman Sachs Distressed Debt Conference, and the American Bankruptcy Institute. Mr. Karotkin is also a member of the faculty of the New York University Workshop on Bankruptcy and Reorganization.