Biography
Most recently, in 2024, Gabe was named a “Notable Practitioner” for Restructuring and Insolvency in the U.S. by IFLR1000. In 2023, he was named among Texas Lawyer’s Top Attorneys Under 40 and he co-authored a chapter for the Collier Bankruptcy Practice Guide on the subject of “Bankruptcy Cases Involving Oil and Gas Companies.” He was also named an “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyer” by Turnarounds & Workouts (2020) and named an “Emerging Leader” by The M&A Advisor (2019). Gabe has contributed to various publications during his career, writing on topics ranging from valuation litigation, fiduciary duties, and distressed asset sales.
Gabe received a B.A. in Psychology from Duke University and a J.D. from the University of Southern California, where he served as Senior Copy Editor for and was published in the Southern California Law Review.
Representative Experience
Company-Side Experience:
- DRF Logistics, LLC and DRF, LLC, Pitney Bowes’ global ecommerce segment, which provides domestic ecommerce parcel services, including delivery and returns, as well as cross-border logistics, in connection with their chapter 11 cases.
- Mobileum, Inc., a leading global provider of telecom analytics and network solutions, in connection with its prepackaged chapter 11 cases with approximately $628 million in debt obligations.
- Steward Health Care System LLC, the largest private, physician-owned for-profit healthcare network in the United States, in connection with its chapter 11 cases involving over $8 billion in debt obligations ($7 billion of which is in long-term lease commitments).
- Air Methods Corporation, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, in connection with its prepackaged chapter 11 cases, resulting in a $1.7 billion deleveraging.
- Serta Simmons Bedding, LLC, one of the largest manufacturers and distributors of mattresses in North America, in connection with its chapter 11 case with approximately $1.9 billion in debt obligations.
- Talen Energy Supply, LLC, a power generation and infrastructure company in North America, in its chapter 11 cases with approximately $5 billion in funded debt obligations.
- VIVUS, Inc., a specialty pharmaceutical company with three approved therapies and one product candidate in clinical development, and its debtor-affiliates in their chapter 11 restructuring addressing more than $230 million of funded debt. VIVUS’ restructuring involves, among other things, an innovative go-forward royalty structure between the reorganized company and pre‑reorganization shareholders to address the highly speculative nature of value inherent to developmental drugs.
- UTEX Industries, Inc., the market-leading sealing component design and manufacturing firm, and its debtor-affiliates in their prepackaged restructuring addressing more than $700 million of funded debt. UTEX’s restructuring involved, among other things, a first-in-kind resolution of highly complex tax arrangements between UTEX and certain non-debtor affiliates.
- B&G Crane Services, a provider of crane rental and lift solutions servicing the Gulf Coast region of the U.S., in its sale to Maxim Crane Works.
- China Fishery Group, an investment holding company that sources, harvests, onboard processes, and delivers fish worldwide, in its chapter 11 and cross-border restructuring of its approximately $2 billion in debt.
- Memorial Production Partners¸ an oil and gas master limited partnership in connection with its prearranged chapter 11 cases to restructure approximately $1.8 billion in debt.
- Vantage Drilling Company, an offshore drilling company in connection with its prepackaged chapter 11 cases to restructure approximately $2.7 billion in debt.
- General Electric Capital Company (“G.E.C.C.”), in connection with its exchange of approximately $37.5 billion in bonds.
- Southern Air Holdings Inc., a cargo airline in connection with its prearranged chapter 11 cases to restructure approximately $295 million in secured debt.
- General Growth Properties, Inc., the second-largest owner and operator of shopping malls in the United States, which, despite approximately $27.3 billion in debt, emerged in November 2010 as a public company with a plan that paid creditors in full and returned substantial value to shareholders.
- LandSource Communities, a California-based property developer in connection with the reconciliation and litigation of claims against it following emergence from chapter 11.
- General Motors Corporation, the largest automobile manufacturer in the U.S. and the second largest in the world, and its debtor affiliates, with assets of over $82 billion and liabilities of over $172 billion, in their historical chapter 11 cases, including a 363 sale to an entity owned by the U.S. government.
- Washington Mutual, the parent holding company of Washington Mutual Bank, in connection with its chapter 11 cases.
Creditor/Sponsor/Other Party Experience:
- Meier’s Wine Cellars, in connection with the representation of Adair Winery as the successful purchaser of certain assets in the chapter 11 cases of Meier’s Wine Cellars (aka Vintage Wine Estates).
- WeWork Inc., in connection with the representation of SoftBank Group Corp. and SoftBank Vision Fund II in transactions related to debt and equity investments in WeWork, a global flexible space provider in connection with WeWork’s chapter 11 cases with $3.8 billion in aggregate principal amount of funded debt.
- Nautical Solutions, L.L.C., in connection with the representation of an ad hoc group of secured noteholders in the prepackaged chapter 11 cases of Nautical Solutions, a marine shipping servicer.
- Eagle Hospitality Trust, in connection with the representation of Monarch Alternative Capital as the new-money DIP lender to the Eagle Hospitality debtors and purchaser for 11 hotels in the portfolio of Eagle Hospitality, a real estate investment trust holding diverse hotel properties in the United States.
- Universal Towers Construction, Inc., in connection with the representation of Monarch Alternative Capital in its acquisition of the Orlando Crowne Plaza hotel through the section 363 asset sale in the chapter 11 case of Universal Towers Construction, Inc.
- My Alarm Center, in connection with the representation of Goldman Sachs as second lien lenders in the chapter 11 cases of My Alarm Center, a home security company.
- Onyx Centersource, in connection with the representation of an ad hoc committee of secured lenders in the out-of-court restructuring of Onyx Centersource, a leading provider of hospitality technology for commission payments and recovery solutions for hotels and travel agencies.
- OneWeb Global Ltd., in connection with the representation of the UK Government and a consortium led by the UK Government and Bharti Global Limited in the acquisition of the business of OneWeb Global Ltd. for more than $1 billion through a chapter 11 auction and as a chapter 11 plan sponsor.
- SM Energy Company, in connection with the representation of an ad hoc group of unsecured bondholders in the proposed exchange offer and consent solicitation of SM Energy, an exploration and production company.
- Avianca Holdings S.A., in connection with the representation of Advent International, a stakeholder in the chapter 11 cases of Avianca Holdings S.A., a Latin American airline holding company.
- Sheridan Production II, in connection with the representation of HarbourVest Partners L.P. and Pantheon Ventures (US) LP as unsecured lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Sheridan Production II, an oil and gas exploration and production company.
- Uniti Group, in connection with the representation of an ad hoc committee of first lien lenders in the amendment of the term loan agreement and chapter 11 case of Uniti master lease counterparty, Windstream Holdings.
- The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, in connection with the representation of National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation/MBIA, a leading municipal insurer, in relation to all legal aspects arising from National’s approximately $3.8 billion exposure to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and instrumentalities, including representation in the cases commenced under Title III of the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act by the Commonwealth, Puerto Rico Sales Tax Financing Corporation (a/k/a COFINA), Highway and Transportation Authority, and Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.
- iHeart Media, in connection with the representation of Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital, as debt holders and equity sponsors of iHeart Media in its chapter 11 case.
- NCSG Crane & Heavy Haul Corporation, in connection with the representation of Energy Capital Partners and Trive Capital, as majority debt holders of, in NCSG's restructuring.
- Performance Sports Group (“Bauer”), in connection with the representation of an ad hoc committee of first lien lenders, in the chapter 11 cases of Performance Sports Group to restructure approximately $490 million in debt.
- Aspect Software II, in connection with the representation of equity sponsors in the acquisition of reorganized Aspect Software by Vector Capital.
- Aspect Software, in connection with the representation of an ad hoc committee of first and second lien “cross-over” lenders in the prearranged chapter 11 cases of Aspect Software to restructure approximately $800 million in debt.
- Excel Maritime and Nautilus Holdings, in connection with the representation of DVB Bank as bilateral lender to Excel Maritime and Nautilus Holdings in their chapter 11 cases.
- Blitz U.S.A., Inc. (F3 Brands), in connection with the representation of an Onex Partners Portfolio Company in its acquisition of F3 Brands through 363 asset sale in the chapter 11 cases of Blitz U.S.A., Inc. (F3 Brands).
- Blitz U.S.A., Inc. (F3 Brands), in connection with the representation of Onex Corporation and acquisition of F3 Brands through a 363 asset sale in the chapter 11 cases of Blitz U.S.A., Inc. (F3 Brands).
- PJ Finance Company, LLC, in connection with the representation of Fortress Investment Group LLC, and the potential equity investment and acquisition through chapter 11 plan in the chapter 11 cases of PJ Finance Company, LLC.
- Dynegy Inc., in connection with the representation of institutional lender regarding $1.1 billion secured loan made in connection with the reorganization of Dynegy prior to the filing of its chapter 11 cases.
Awards and Recognition, Speaking Engagements, Guides and Resources, Latest Thinking, Firm News & Announcements
Awards and Recognition
- Gabriel Morgan Named a “Notable Practitioner” for Restructuring and Insolvency in the U.S. in 2024 Award Brief — IFLR1000
- Gabriel Morgan Named one of Texas Lawyer’s “Rising Star” Attorneys for 2023 Award Brief — Texas Legal Awards
- Gabriel Morgan Named Among Turnarounds & Workouts’ “Outstanding Young Restructuring Lawyers” for 2020 Award Brief — Turnarounds & Workouts
- Gabriel Morgan named 2019 Emerging Leader by The M&A Advisor Award Brief — The M&A Advisor
- Weil Attorneys, Firm Recognized by The Legal Aid Society for Pro Bono Service Award Brief — The Legal Aid Society
Speaking Engagements
-
You Can, but Should You?
Speaker(s):
Gabriel A. Morgan
February 23, 2024 — New York, NY — Wharton Restructuring and Distressed Investing Conference - This panel considers the time and place for creditors and debtors to employ or demure certain tactics, including board sweeps, revolver draws, retentions, governance rights, and others. As bankruptcy courts continue to allow parties more and more leeway for aggressive maneuvers, the question continues to shift from whether they can do something to whether they should.
Latest Thinking
- 7 Collier Bankruptcy Practice Guide ¶ 135 et seq. (Bankruptcy Cases Involving Oil and Gas Companies) Publication — Collier Bankruptcy Practice Guide — By Alfredo R. Perez and Gabriel A. Morgan — August 2023
-
Ultra IV: Make-Wholes, Never Say Never Again
Blog Post — Weil Restructuring
— By
Gabriel A. Morgan
— October 24, 2022
Fifth Circuit holds make-whole amounts disallowed under Code but solvent-debtor exception can apply and Creditor owed postpetition interest at contractual default interest rate ...
Firm News & Announcements
- Gabriel Morgan and Jenae Ward Named Finalists at 2024 Texas Legal Awards Firm Announcement — August 16, 2024
- Weil Guides SoftBank in Successful Restructuring of $4 Billion in WeWork Debt Deal Brief — June 13, 2024