America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2004-2005: Bankruptcy
Chambers & Partners has compiled their independent and objective list of America's Leading Lawyers for Business based on comments gathered from thousands of interviews with clients and lawyers from Maine to Hawaii. This guide -- which is designed to reflect market opinion -- contains a view of the firms and attorneys who are considered leaders in their field.
In Chambers' 2004-2005 review of national legal talent in the area of "Bankruptcy," our Firm and our lawyers are listed among the best in the country.
Chambers' comments:
Illinois
Ranking: 1
The Firm: A "preeminent" national debtors' practice, it has garnered a significant share of the market, advising large and mid-sized companies in restructurings and bankruptcies. The core diet of the insolvency practice is further enhanced by other distinguished specialties, notably tax and litigation. The team numbers about 90 lawyers in the firm's Chicago headquarters, although it also has a major presence in New York, Los Angeles and London. Despite the debtor focus, the firm does advise creditors, including those linked to the Elan Pharmaceuticals and Adelphia bankruptcies.
The Lawyers: "Tireless and amazing" is how one interviewee described Jamie Sprayregen, who continues to be an enormous force in both Chicago and New York. He is seen as one of a handful of leading insolvency attorneys in the country, skillfully handling the insolvencies of United Airlines and Fleming, and the workout of Cable & Wireless. Sources generally credited him as the linchpin of the practice, possessing a famous ability to make deals happen. He also advised on the bankruptcy of insurance company Conseco, which filed one of the largest Chapter 11 petitions in US history. Another "consummate deal-maker" at the firm is James Stempel who maintains a "phenomenal practice." He played a key role in the firm's representation of Polymer Group in its Chapter 11 restructuring. A "really really good, sharp lawyer," Marc Kieselstein has been a mainstay in the firm's representation of United Airlines, one of the largest carriers in the world.
The Clients: The firm has represented UAL Corporation, Conseco and Polymer Group.
Reprinted with permission from Chambers & Partners: America's Leading Lawyers for Business 2004-2005
