Biography
Debra Sinclair is a partner in the Restructuring Department at Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Debra represents debtors, creditors, and other parties in interest in complex distressed situations. She advises clients on all aspects of restructurings and chapter 11 cases, including distressed acquisitions, cross-border matters and out-of-court restructurings across industries such as real estate, aviation, manufacturing, retail, energy, and pharmaceuticals.
Debra has been widely recognized for her work in the restructuring field. In 2026, Crain's New York Business named her to its 2026 Notable Leaders in Accounting, Law and Consulting List. Debra was selected in 2024 by the American Bankruptcy Institute for its "40 Under 40" Emerging Leaders in Insolvency Practice and named to the 2025 and 2026 Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers. In 2023, she was recognized by Turnarounds & Workouts as one of twelve "Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers," and in 2022 was selected by Law360 as one of five attorneys nationwide to receive its "Rising Star" award in bankruptcy.
Selected Representative Experience*
Debtor/Company-Side Experience
- Saks Global Holdings LLC – Counsel to the Debtors, the largest multi-brand luxury retailer in the world, in their successful chapter 11 restructuring.
- NanoString Technologies, Inc. – Counsel to the Debtors, a leading biotechnology company, in chapter 11 cases and related asset sale to Bruker Corporation, a global provider of scientific research instruments.
- Unconditional Love, Inc. d/b/a Hello Bello – Counsel to the Debtors, a consumer products brand focused on plant-derived, clean baby products, in chapter 11 cases and related asset sale to Hildred Capital Management.
- Aventiv Technologies – Counsel to Platinum Equity, a leading private equity sponsor, in connection with comprehensive financing arrangements for company providing information technology services to the corrections and government services sectors.
- Charah Solutions Inc. – Counsel to Charah Solutions, a leading provider of environmental services and byproduct recycling to the power generation industry, in its acquisition by SER Capital Partners.
- Cineworld Group plc – Counsel to the independent directors of the U.S. subsidiaries of Cineworld Group plc, the world's second-largest cinema operator, in Cineworld's chapter 11 cases.
- Pace Industries, LLC – Counsel to the Debtors, one of the leading die-cast manufacturers in North America, in their chapter 11 restructuring.
- Aralez Pharmaceuticals US Inc. – Counsel to the Debtors, a specialty pharmaceutical company, in chapter 11 cases and related asset sales to purchasers including Deerfield Management Company and Nuvo Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
- SquareTwo Financial Services Corporation – Counsel to the Debtors, a financial services company, in chapter 11 cases and related sale transaction.
- Implant Sciences Corporation – Counsel to the Debtors, a provider of advanced explosive detection systems technology, in chapter 11 cases and related sale transaction.
Creditor/Investor/Other Experience
- PWM Property Management LLC – Counsel to a mezzanine lender, preferred equity holder, and subsequent acquirer in a complex real estate restructuring and chapter 11 cases involving the skyscraper located at 245 Park Avenue in New York City.
- Grupo Aeroméxico, S.A.B. de C.V. – Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Grupo Aeroméxico, Mexico's largest airline, in its international chapter 11 cases.
- Avianca Holdings S.A. – Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the cross-border chapter 11 restructuring of Avianca, one of the Americas' largest international carriers.
- Belk, Inc. – Counsel to an ad hoc group of first and second lien term loan lenders in the chapter 11 restructuring of Belk, a major U.S. specialty retailer.
- Strike LLC – Counsel to an ad hoc group of term loan lenders in a complex restructuring of a major Texas-based energy infrastructure and pipeline services provider.
- Southcross Energy Partners, L.P. – Counsel to an ad hoc group of term loan lenders in the chapter 11 case of an energy infrastructure company.
- Remington Outdoor Company, Inc. – Counsel to an ad hoc group of third lien noteholders in the chapter 11 restructuring of one of the nation's largest manufacturers of firearms and ammunition.
- Westinghouse Electric Company – Counsel to the acquirer and plan investor in the landmark restructuring of a leading global provider of nuclear technology and services.
- Armstrong Energy, Inc. – Counsel to a mineral rights provider in connection with a chapter 11 case involving significant subsurface and development rights issues.
*Experience gained at previous firm