Skadden is pleased to announce that Paul Leake and Lisa Laukitis have joined the firm's New York office as partners in its Corporate Restructuring Group. Mr. Leake also has become co-head of the firm's restructuring practice, alongside practice leader Jay Goffman.
Joining from another large global law firm where he headed its restructuring and reorganization practice, Mr. Leake represents debtors, commercial banks and bank groups, distressed investment funds, noteholder committees, official creditors' committees, unsecured creditors and distressed investors in corporate restructurings. His areas of focus include advising U.S. and transnational businesses in Chapter 11 reorganizations and liquidations, out-of-court restructurings, secured financings, distressed acquisitions and investments in troubled companies in industries such as retail, shipping, airlines, energy, health care, publishing, satellite communications and real estate.
Ms. Laukitis represents clients in out-of-court restructurings and Chapter 11 bankruptcies, including secured and unsecured creditors and private equity funds. She has handled distressed mergers and acquisitions as well as various financing arrangements and litigates disputes related to the use of cash collateral, DIP financing, sales under Section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code, modifications of labor agreements and retiree benefits, and plan confirmations.
"We are delighted that Paul and Lisa have joined the firm," said Jay Goffman, global head of Skadden's Corporate Restructuring Group. "Paul has a stellar reputation in the bankruptcy field and has been instrumental in building one of the top practices in this area. The experience he and Lisa bring to our practice is a perfect match for our existing capabilities."
Mr. Leake said, "Skadden's global platform, reputation and resources are superb. I look forward to the opportunity to help further expand Skadden's position as a go-to firm for restructuring matters around the globe."
Ms. Laukitis added, "Joining Skadden represents a unique opportunity. I am very excited to work with this group of highly regarded lawyers in advising clients on their most complex restructuring challenges."
Mr. Leake graduated from Amherst College in 1985 and Columbia Law School in 1988.
Ms. Laukitis earned her undergraduate degree in microbiology from Miami University in 1996 and her J.D. from the University of Dayton in 1999.