Restructuring

Weil's global restructuring group comprises more than 100 dedicated lawyers, including a significant number recognized as leaders in their field.

The largest, most complex, and most important restructuring matters in history require a truly international firm that can handle all aspects of the restructuring process in the United States, Europe, Middle East, and Asia. Weil's global restructuring practice has been described as the “gold standard” of bankruptcy practices and as a “restructuring powerhouse.”

• Weil’s U.S. Restructuring practice has been involved in countless international and U.S. restructurings over many decades, with representations ranging from top global corporations in mega-restructurings to middle-market debtors. Weil has served as chief debtors’ counsel in six of the seven largest U.S. bankruptcy filings in history and has represented clients in numerous complicated cross-border insolvency and restructuring matters. The practice is consistently recognized among the most highly regarded publications globally including, most recently being recognized as “Bankruptcy Team of the Year” by Law360 for 12 straight years (2010-2021), named among the top three firms globally for Cross-Border Restructuring and Insolvency in the 2020 edition of Global Restructuring Review’s GRR 30 and named “Bankruptcy Team of the Year” at the 2018 Chambers USA Awards.

“By far the most prominent debtor firm in the USA.” — Chambers USA

• Weil has one of the premier restructuring legal practices in Europe. Ranked in the top 2 of legal advisors in Europe in 2021 by debt value and volume by Debtwire’s European Restructuring Advisory Mandates league table, our European Restructuring practice comprises offices in the U.K., France and Germany, and works closely with the U.S. on regional and cross-border restructurings, as well as those involving Asia. Weil’s recent work in Europe includes advising creditors and debtors on some of the most significant cross-border restructurings as well complex insolvency and Chapter 11 matters.

“They have an appreciation of what's current in the restructuring market and are very switched-on.” — Chambers Global

• Weil’s highly regarded Asia Restructuring practice includes lawyers in Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, with local on-the-ground expertise of matters across the Asian Pacific region. The team includes PRC-, Hong Kong-, U.S.-, and U.K.-qualified lawyers, providing clients with premier Asian and international experience.

“Weil’s clients have praise for the technical ability and business sense that the partners bring to transactions.” — IFLR1000

While many firms may claim to offer an international service, Weil’s fully integrated global platform allows Weil to marshal resources very quickly to provide sound, strategic, commercial, and legal solutions to clients in time-sensitive situations. Weil’s work on some of the most historic restructurings – including General Motors, Parmalat SpA, Lehman Brothers, Kaupthing Bank, American Airlines and MF Global –  demonstrates Weil’s ability to coordinate a diverse team of lawyers across the United States, Europe, and Asia to provide clients with innovative, bespoke solutions to complex cross-border restructurings. Today, Weil continues to play an integral role in high-profile restructurings. In the United States alone, Weil has been involved in some of the most notable and largest bankruptcies filed in the U.S. in recent years, including acting as debtors’ counsel to CBL & Associates Properties, J.Crew, Fieldwood Energy, Speedcast International, Briggs & Stratton, CEC Entertainment, Skillsoft and 24 Hour Fitness. The Firm also has significant roles in the chapter 11 cases of Seadrill Limited, Katerra Inc., NorthEast Gas Generation, Jason Industries and Sable Permian Resources.

Weil’s strengths also lie in Weil’s ability to innovate. Weil works collaboratively with clients to develop and implement novel restructuring solutions and products that are tailor-made for the different groups Weil works with: banks, private equity funds, hedge funds, corporations, boards of directors, and insolvency practitioners.

Weil’s experience across multiple industries is extensive and spans every critical area of finance and restructuring, including exchange offers, debt for equity swaps, prepackaged and prearranged chapter 11 cases, “conventional” chapter 11 cases, and international insolvencies.

Weil does not believe in a one-size fits all approach. Weil's advice ensures that clients address the complex issues associated with restructuring in the most strategic and beneficial manner possible.  Major restructurings transcend almost all legal disciplines (including bankruptcy/creditors’ rights, tax, financing, securities laws, antitrust, and other regulatory approvals). Weil seamlessly coordinates with lawyers in other practice areas across the Firm to provide clients with comprehensive solutions to complex transactions.

View more information on Weil's areas of experience:

• Debtor Representations
• Creditor and Investor Representations
• Financial Sponsor Transactions
• Out-of-Court Restructurings/Prepackaged and Prearranged Chapter 11 Cases
• Chapter 9 Municipal Bankruptcy Representations
• Cross-Border Bankruptcy and Restructuring
• Distressed M&A
• Bankruptcy Litigation

The Weil Restructuring Blog contains developments on the restructuring world from our Restructuring team. The European Restructuring Watch presents views from Weil's European teams.