Ropes & Gray Cements Position in New York with Leading Business Restructuring Partner Gregg Galardi

In The News
February 1, 2016

Preeminent global law firm Ropes & Gray LLP today announced the arrival of Gregg Galardi as a partner in the business restructuring group in New York — the latest high-profile addition to the firm as it cements its position as a destination for market-leading legal talent in one of the world’s financial capitals.

Mr. Galardi joins Ropes & Gray from DLA Piper, where he served as the global co-chair of the restructuring practice. Prior to that, he was a partner in the corporate restructuring group at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Mr. Galardi has extensive U.S. and international experience and a nationally recognized debtor-side practice that will enhance Ropes & Gray’s suite of services for clients at a time of increased demand for restructuring counsel.

Mr. Galardi has represented companies in a wide variety of industries in out-of-court workouts as well as pre-packaged, pre-negotiated and traditional Chapter 11 cases and cross-border restructurings. He successfully steered CIT Group in the largest prepackaged bankruptcy ever, and has acted as debtor’s counsel in such recent and notable cases as Delia’s, City Sports, Reddy Ice, Plastech, Circuit City and Polaroid. He regularly represents leading financial institutions, private equity and hedge funds, and significant creditors in contested and consensual restructuring proceedings, as well as in-court and out-of-court acquisitions of distressed assets. Most recently, Mr. Galardi advised hedge fund Standard General in connection with the debtor-in-possession financing and acquisition of the business and assets of RadioShack.

Mr. Galardi has been cited by clients in Chambers USA as “a first-rate bankruptcy litigator: he has a wealth of knowledge, which allows him to really push the envelope and try new directions.” His addition to the business restructuring group will not only complement Ropes & Gray’s formidable creditor practice, which has played key roles in recent high-profile, complex bankruptcy litigations and settlements, including Sabine Oil & Gas Corp., Residential Capital, LLC (ResCap), and TXU, but augment Ropes & Gray’s ability to handle debtor representations generated from the firm’s sponsor client base.

Moreover, as a distinguished appellate litigator and former Third Circuit clerk, Mr. Galardi adds strength to a bankruptcy appellate practice that has made two appearances at the U.S. Supreme Court in the last three years and features Douglas Hallward-Driemeier, one of the foremost Supreme Court practitioners in the country.

“Gregg’s impressive credentials, broad experience and national reputation will benefit Ropes & Gray’s clients around the world,” said partner Mark Bane, who co-chairs the firm’s business restructuring practice. “His arrival bolsters our debtor-side practice, complements our hallmark creditor-side practice, and expands our capabilities for sponsors and portfolio company clients in distressed M&A and special situations. He is a rare talent, and we are incredibly pleased to welcome him to the firm.”

A Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy, Mr. Galardi has garnered significant accolades over the course of his career, including recognition as a “Star Individual” by Chambers & Partners. He is ranked nationally and in New York for in Chambers USA and recommended in The Legal 500 United States. In 2013 and 2014, the Global M&A Network honored Mr. Galardi as one of the Top 100: Global Restructuring and Turnaround Professionals, and Turnarounds and Workouts Special Report named him among its outstanding restructuring lawyers in 2009 and 2011.

Mr. Galardi holds a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Law School as well as a Ph.D. in philosophy, an M.A. in economics and a B.A., cum laude, all from the University of Pennsylvania. He served as a clerk to the Hon. Collins J. Seitz Sr. of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

“Ropes & Gray’s global sensibility, collaborative culture and strength in the business restructuring space were key drivers in my decision to join the firm,” said Mr. Galardi. “I look forward to working with its talented attorneys as we build a top-tier bankruptcy and special situations practice of the highest caliber.”

With more than 300 lawyers in New York, Ropes & Gray is one of the 20 largest law firms in the city. The firm has expanded its presence in New York significantly in the past year with high-profile additions including capital markets partner Michael Littenberg in early January 2016 and three lateral partners in 2015: mergers & acquisitions and private equity partner John Sorkin and business & securities litigation partners David Hennes and Gregg Weiner.