Restructuring partner Clifford Carlson has been named one of Law360’s 2026 “Rising Stars” for Bankruptcy, honoring his work on some of the most complex chapter 11 cases in recent years.

Law360 highlighted Cliff’s work advising Steward Health Care, the nation’s largest private, physician-owned healthcare network, in its chapter 11 restructuring involving more than $9 billion in liabilities. The matter involved 31 hospitals across eight states and more than 30,000 employees, as well as the sale and transition of nearly all of Steward’s hospitals. The publication also noted Cliff’s work as debtor’s counsel to auto parts company First Brands in its chapter 11 proceedings.

Cliff called the Steward restructuring both the biggest case of his career and his proudest achievement as an attorney, pointing to the challenges presented by Steward’s liquidity position and the need to sell or transition hospitals in different markets while minimizing disruption to patients and employees.

Cliff also told Law360 that working collaboratively to solve clients’ most difficult problems is what he finds particularly rewarding about his restructuring practice. “What I get a lot of satisfaction out of is working with a team. A team of people in the trenches to solve a problem, to try to reach a common goal,” he said. “That’s what I find very rewarding.”

Law360’s Rising Stars recognize attorneys under 40 whose legal accomplishments belie their age. The publication selected the 2026 honorees from more than 1,100 submissions.