From Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP's website.
Mark A. Berkoff Named Chair of Practice Group
January 29, 2009
CHICAGO – Chicago-based law firm Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP is very pleased to announce five new lawyers have joined the firm’s Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group: Mark A. Berkoff, partner and practice group chair; William Choslovsky, partner; Deborah M. Gutfeld, partner; Marc I. Fenton, senior counsel; and Nicholas M. Miller, senior counsel. The five attorneys previously practiced law at DLA Piper, where Berkoff was global co-chair of that firm’s Financial Restructuring Group. Berkoff and his experienced team join firm partner Thomas C. Wolford and other members of this practice group to further the firm’s core commitment to excellence in client service.
“We are genuinely excited and energized,” said Mark Berkoff. “Given the current economy, we are prepared and poised to help counsel our clients to weather some difficult and complex situations. Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a natural fit for us. The firm’s stellar reputation for providing exemplary client service is noteworthy and well-earned.”
The firm’s restructuring and bankruptcy practice has been expanded to include the representation of debtors, unsecured creditors and creditors’ committees, secured creditors, bondholders, lessors, asset purchasers, franchisors, parties in derivative transactions, trustees and equity holders. Members of the practice group have experience representing a diverse group of industries, including, among others, the airline, automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and technology industries.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming this group of seasoned professionals who bring with them a noteworthy history of success,” said Jerry H. Biederman, managing partner of Neal Gerber Eisenberg. “Mark and his team have exceptional track records in the financial restructuring and bankruptcy law field.”
A brief biography for each of the new members of the Neal Gerber Eisenberg Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group follows (view full biographies at www.ngelaw.com):
- Mark A. Berkoff, Practice Chair: Berkoff, 47, is the new chair of the Neal Gerber Eisenberg Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy Practice Group. Previously, he was global co-chair of DLA Piper’s Financial Restructuring Group. During his tenure with DLA Piper, he more than tripled the size of the practice group. He regularly represents debtors and creditors’ committees in complex commercial Chapter 11 cases in diverse industries. He has handled all aspects of Chapter 11 proceedings from pre-bankruptcy planning through plan confirmation and post-confirmation matters. He has made numerous presentations to business associations, credit professionals, lenders and attorneys in the following areas among others: Chapter 11 practice and procedure; participating on Chapter 11 creditors’ committees; alternatives to bankruptcy such as workouts, out-of-court composition agreements, assignments for the benefit of creditors; and article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. He is recognized in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business as one of the country’s leading bankruptcy and insolvency lawyers. He is recognized in The Best Lawyers in America in the area of bankruptcy and creditor-debtor rights law. He has been designated an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2005-2009. He is also listed in Who’s Who in America and Who’s Who in American Law.
- William Choslovsky, Partner: Choslovsky, 40, principally practices bankruptcy law, representing debtors, creditors and other interested parties in bankruptcy-related matters. He represents clients in federal court (Chapter 7 and Chapter 11 proceedings), state court and in complex out-of-court workouts. He is also a litigator and has experience representing developers on real estate and work-out matters. After graduating from Harvard Law School, he clerked for two judges. He was named an Illinois Super Lawyer in 2009.
- Deborah M. Gutfeld, Partner: Gutfeld, 32, has extensive experience representing landlords and enforcing their claims in large retail bankruptcy cases. She has also represented debtors in large national cases in matters related to professional retention, claim objections, executory contracts and asset disposition. Additionally, she has handled Chapter 7 bankruptcy cases for creditors and trustees, with a specific focus on preference adversary work. She has previously practiced in the areas of mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. She has worked on numerous transactions involving both privately held organizations and publicly held companies.
- Marc I. Fenton, Senior Counsel: Fenton, 55, focuses his practice on the areas of bankruptcy and commercial litigation. His experience includes informal and out-of-court workouts; reorganization and liquidation proceedings; negotiation of agreements and contracts; and commercial litigation in state and federal courts. During his 20 years in private practice, he has represented debtors, creditors, lenders, trustees and creditors committees. He has also represented sellers and purchasers of distressed businesses and real estate.
- Nicholas M. Miller, Senior Counsel: Miller, 37, brings to the firm substantial experience in general insolvency matters and distressed asset sales. He has extensive experience with debtor-side representations in diverse industries, including financial services, retail, automotive, steel, manufacturing, broadband communications and intellectual property. He also has represented secured lenders, bondholders, indenture trustees and official committees of unsecured creditors in chapter 11 proceedings. He is certified as a Business Bankruptcy Specialist by the American Board of Certification.
About Neal, Gerber & Eisenberg LLP
Neal Gerber Eisenberg is a Chicago-based law firm providing legal services to a diverse group of clients in a wide array of domestic and global business transactions and litigation matters. The firm’s clients include privately and publicly held companies, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations and high net worth individuals. The firm’s client base reflects virtually every business industry, including a number of Fortune 100 companies. The firm has grown to over 200 attorneys who share common values of integrity, a dedication to high quality legal services and a commitment to diversity. The firm’s 23 practice areas range from Associations & Not-for-Profit Organizations, Financial Restructuring and Bankruptcy, Corporate & Securities, Corporate Governance, Securities & Commodities Litigation, White Collar Criminal, Regulatory & Internal Investigative Services, Real Estate, Environmental, Information Technology, Intellectual Property and Private Wealth Services to Health Law, Tax, Litigation and Labor & Employment. Website: www.ngelaw.com.
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