Overview

Companies, lenders and strategic investors come to Ropes & Gray for creative and practical strategies to address distressed scenarios. Our deep bench of leading practitioners has handled virtually every form of restructuring, insolvency and workout.

High-profile and complex company/debtor representation. Not all distressed companies are alike, and we understand that. Clients come to our team for tailored support in complicated, multi-jurisdictional matters, both in and out of court. We have acted as lead counsel for Hearthside Food Solutions, Trinseo, Exactech, Empire Today, Vobev, Hardinge, and Shoes for Crews.

Top-tier creditor practice. Our team continues to be trusted to identify creative approaches to maximize recoveries for creditors throughout complex capital structures. We guide ad hoc groups of creditors across a diverse range of industries, including oil and gas, retail, telecommunications, and manufacturing, through credit bids and change-of-control transactions.

Innovative transactions outside the courtroom. With deep and broad-based knowledge across corporate restructuring, finance, tax, capital markets and M&A, we have advised on billion-dollar liability management transactions for leading companies, as well as distressed asset sales and acquisitions. Clients draw on our experience developing pioneering solutions for troubled corporate borrowers and their lenders to seek creative solutions.

Successful litigation strategies for insolvency. Our business restructuring and litigation attorneys team up to protect clients’ interests in insolvency-related litigation. We help with everything from challenges to cash collateral orders and break-up fees to contested confirmation hearings. Our victories shape our clients’ futures and the future of bankruptcy law.

A collaborative firm to solve your most complex challenges. Our core business restructuring team leverages the creativity, knowledge and experience of the entire firm across disciplines and geographies to serve clients, including:

Large and middle market debtors and distressed borrowers
Boards of directors
Private equity sponsors and portfolio companies
Equity holders of distressed companies or Chapter 11 debtors
Purchasers in distressed M&A transactions

Ad hoc committees of lenders
Official committees of unsecured creditors
Other specialized creditor groups
Parties in contentious insolvency litigation

Awards

Chambers Global – Ranked as an elite Bankruptcy/Restructuring practice in the USA, with multiple attorneys recommended as leaders in the field (2013 – 2025)
Chambers USA – Ranked nationally and in New York, Massachusetts, and Illinois as an elite Bankruptcy/Restructuring practice, with multiple lawyers recognized as leaders in the field (2012 – 2025)
Legal 500 US – Ranked nationally for Finance: Corporate Restructuring, with multiple attorneys recommended as leaders in the field (2014 – 2025)
Law360 Bankruptcy Group of the Year – A coveted distinction that recognizes law firms whose work for clients has resonated throughout the legal industry in addition to accounting for the size, complexity and significance of deals advised on (2023)
Octus – Ranked as one of the “Most Retained Legal Advisor: Company Engagements” (2025)
Bloomberg - One lawyer listed as “Star Dealmaker Remaking the Rules of Corporate Debt” (2024)
Chicago Lawyer 40 Under 40 – One lawyer recognized as an “Illinois Attorney to Watch” (2024)
Turnarounds & Workouts – One lawyer recognized as an “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyer” (2025)
IFLR1000 - Ranked nationally for “Restructuring and Insolvency” (2013 – 2025)