Matt Barr

Matt has consistently been recognized over the years as one of the country’s leading restructuring lawyers by Chambers Global, Chambers USA, IFLR1000, Lawdragon, Legal 500, Guide to World's Leading Insolvency and Restructuring Lawyers (Legal Media Group), and Super Lawyers, among others. Most recently, Matt was named among Crain’s New York Business’ Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law as well as inducted into The American College of Bankruptcy as a Fellow in 2024. Furthermore, he was named “Highly Regarded” for Restructuring and Insolvency in the U.S. by IFLR1000 (2020; 2022-2024), a Leading Lawyer by Legal 500 (2019-2020; 2022-2024), named among the 500 Leading Global Bankruptcy & Restructuring Lawyers by Lawdragon (2020; 2022-2024), and named among Restructuring’s highest-ranking lawyers in the 2023 edition of Who’s Who Legal: Restructuring & Insolvency. In 2021, he was named a “Crisis Leadership Trailblazer” by The National Law Journal, named among Turnarounds & Workouts’ “Outstanding Restructuring Lawyers” (2017 and 2019), and named a “Bankruptcy MVP” by Law360 (2017). Commentators in Chambers USA have called him “tremendously bright, responsive and reliable,” and “a measured, strong advocate” that knows “how to get to a resolution in a case.” IFLR1000 called him “a very strong and commercial lawyer. He never loses his cool and always finds a way to get to yes.”

Currently Matt serves on the board of directors for the American Red Cross (Greater NY) and the National Kidney Foundation (Greater NY). Matt is also on the Board of Trustees at New York Law School and a Trustee of the Weil Foundation. He serves as the Management Committee Sponsor for WeilLatinx and is co-chair of Weil’s Philanthropic Committee. Matt joined Weil in 2015 from a major international law firm, where he was a senior equity partner, resident in that Firm’s New York office. Matt has contributed to various publications over the years on topics ranging from valuation litigation, in- and out-of-court remedies of creditors and asset sales. Matt has participated on a variety of panels as both a moderator and speaker.

Representative Experience

Debtor/Company-side Experience:

• Counsel to Tradesmen International LLC, an industry leader in skilled trades staffing, in connection with an out-of-court financial restructuring that significantly reduced the company’s debt and raised new equity capital.
• Counsel to a leading provider of fiber network solutions in connection with its out-of-court recapitalization of nearly $1 billion in existing debt and over $100 million of new capital.
• Counsel to Arcade Beauty, a leading global beauty company providing both retail and sampling solutions, in connection with its out-of-court recapitalization that received support from 100% of its lenders and shareholders, extinguished a substantial amount of debt, and provided the company with a new capital infusion.
• Counsel to 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.
• Counsel to BlackRock, Inc. in the sale of its interest in Mariah del Norte, LLC, which owns and operates an approximately 230 megawatt clean energy windfarm located on nearly 26,000 acres in Parmer, Castro and Deaf Smith Counties, Texas.
• Counsel to sporting goods manufacturer and distributor in connection with liability management initiatives.
• Counsel to 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 involves, among other things, a first-in-kind resolution of highly complex tax arrangements between UTEX and certain non-debtor affiliates in a transaction that is expected to conclude after less than 24 days in chapter 11.
• Counsel to Fieldwood Energy, a Gulf of Mexico offshore energy exploration and production company, in connection with its second chapter 11 cases with approximately $1.8 billion in debt.
• Counsel to 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.
• Counsel to CEC Entertainment, Inc. and its affiliated debtors, an American franchisee company with iconic brands Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza with locations across 47 states and 16 foreign countries and territories, in their chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Chisholm Oil and Gas Operating, LLC, and its affiliated debtors, an exploration and production company focused on acquiring, developing, and producing oil and natural gas assets in the Anadarko Basin in Oklahoma, in their chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to a global provider of offshore accommodation and construction support services to the oil and gas industry in its restructuring efforts.
• Counsel to Floatel International Ltd, a global provider of offshore accommodation and construction support services to the oil and gas industry in its out-of-court restructuring. The comprehensive and fully consensual balance sheet restructuring involved first lien bondholders converting $400 million first lien bonds into new $230 million first lien bonds and 40.08% equity and second lien bondholders converting $75 million second lien bonds for warrants. Alongside these conversions, the Floatel Group secured new liquidity via a new $100 million revolving credit facility.
• Counsel to EP Energy Corporation, and its affiliated debtors, a public oil and natural gas exploration and production company, in their chapter 11 cases involving approximately $4.9 billion in funded debt obligations.
• Counsel to syncreon Group Holdings B.V., and its affiliated debtors, in its groundbreaking, cross-border balance sheet restructuring involving approximately $1.1 billion of funded debt, including the chapter 15 case of syncreon Automotive (UK) Ltd. syncreon, a leading global logistics services provider, operates across 120 facilities in 19 countries on 6 continents. syncreon’s restructuring is proceeding through an English scheme of arrangement pursuant to the Companies Act 2006 and further involves ancillary processes in the United States and Canada. syncreon’s restructuring was recognized as the 2020 International Company Transaction of the Year by the Turnaround Management Association.
• Counsel to CTI Foods LLC and its affiliated debtors, a leading independent provider of custom food products for major chain restaurants in North America, in their prepackaged chapter 11 cases involving liabilities in excess of $655 million.
• Counsel to large publically traded oil and gas company in connection with review of liability management initiatives.
• Counsel to Fieldwood Energy, a Gulf of Mexico offshore energy exploration and production company, in connection with its chapter 11 cases, through which Fieldwood purchased Gulf of Mexico assets of Noble Energy.
• Counsel to Claire’s Stores, Inc., a specialty retailer, in connection with their chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Southeastern Grocers, LLC (Bi-Lo/Winn-Dixie/ Fresco y Más/Harveys Supermarkets) in connection with its chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Angelica Corporation, a leading healthcare linen and medical laundry servicer, in its chapter 11 case and related asset sale to KKR.
• Counsel to 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 $2B in debt.
• Counsel to Fairway Group Holdings, an iconic New York supermarket chain, in its prepackaged chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to international renewal energy company in connection with its out-of-court restructuring.
• Counsel to American Gilsonite Company, the world's principal commercial miner and processor of uintaite, in its prepackaged chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to power company in connection with potential restructuring efforts.
• Counsel to LightSquared, holder of substantial satellite spectrum proposed to be repurposed for wireless broadband use, in its chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Lernout & Hauspie/Dictaphone, voice recognition software company and dictation/recording machines, in its chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Parking Company Airports America (PCAA), one of the largest domestic, privately-owned operators of off-site airport parking services, in its chapter 11 cases.

Ad Hoc Group Experience:

• Counsel to an ad hoc group of noteholders in the successful prepackaged chapter 11 cases of 2U, a global leader in online education that emerged as a privately held entity.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of convertible noteholders in connection with the out-of-court restructuring of Cazoo Group Ltd., the UK’s leading independent online car retailer. Under the contemplated transaction, in exchange for agreeing to the cancellation of $630 million existing convertible notes, the convertible noteholders will receive, among other things, (i) $200 million of new senior secured notes, and (ii) 92% of Cazoo’s post-reorganization common equity, among other considerations.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of creditors of Digicel Group Holdings Limited, an international mobile phone network and home entertainment provider, in connection with the cross-border restructuring and chapter 15 proceedings of more than $1.5 billion of indebtedness.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien lenders in connection with the out-of-court cross-border restructuring of Covis Pharma, a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company headquartered in Switzerland.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of holders of senior notes issued by Universal Entertainment Corporation (“UEC”), a Japanese manufacturer of gaming products that is publicly traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, in its restructuring efforts. 
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Seadrill Limited, a worldwide provider of offshore drilling services to the oil and gas industry.
• Counsel to various ad hoc groups of creditors in connection with liability management discussions of several E&P companies.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders in connection with liability management discussions of a travel services related company.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders to Nordic Aviation Capital, the world’s largest regional aircraft lessor, on bespoke restructuring transactions for multiple aviation financing structures implemented under pre-arranged U.S. chapter 11 proceedings, including a consensual remarketing and mortgage enforcement financing arrangements.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured noteholders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Sable Permian Resources, LLC.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of first lien creditors of Jason Industries, the North American industrials company.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Unit Corporation, an oil and natural gas exploration and production company.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of lenders in connection with a data processing and outsourced technology services provider.
• Counsel to an ad hoc committee of first lien lenders to Uniti.
• Counsel to the Consenting OpCo Noteholders, in the prepackaged chapter 11 plan of reorganization of Seventy Seven Energy, Inc., an Oklahoma-based company that offers drilling, pressure-pumping, oilfield rental tools and trucking services.
• Counsel to an ad hoc consortium of holders of unsecured 2019 notes issued by Cobalt International Energy that raised $500M in new capital for the company and participated in a $715M debt exchange.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of bondholders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Quebecor, Inc., an integrated communications companies in the industry.
• Counsel to BlackRock and The Carlyle Group, as majority debt holders of Singer Sewing Company, in connection with Singer’s out-of-court restructuring.
• Counsel to a group of Prepetition Term Loan Lenders in the chapter 11 cases and Canadian CCAA Proceedings of Performance Sports Group, owner of iconic sporting good brands Bauer and Easton, among others. 
• Counsel to the Term Loan DIP Agent as well as the Tranche B Term Loan Lenders in the chapter 11 cases of BCBG Max Azria Group, a global fashion house that encompasses over 20 brands. 
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of term loan lenders in connection with the out-of-court restructuring of Stallion Oilfield Services, the largest provider of auxiliary rentals and services for oil and gas operations in the U.S.
• Counsel to ad hoc group of secured lenders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Aspect Software, a leading cloud provider of fully-integrated consumer engagement, workforce optimization and back-office solutions.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp., a Tennessee-based producer of primary aluminum and rolled aluminum coils.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of lenders to the independent exploration and production company, Energy & Exploration Partner, in connection with its chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders in connection with the restructuring of Dex Media, Inc., a print and digital marketing company.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders in connection with U.S. Shale Solutions, a premier technology-enabled, strategic solutions provider to the unconventional oil and gas industry.
• Counsel to an ad hoc group of secured lenders of the oil & gas exploration company, Endeavour International Corp., in its reorganization, which concluded with a structured dismissal of its chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to an ad hoc of secured third lien lenders of NextWave Corp., a communications service provider.

Creditor/Acquiror/Secured & Unsecured Lender/Sponsor/Other Experience:

• Counsel to a purchaser of assets, including “Joe’s Jeans” brand, pursuant to section 363 of the Bankruptcy Code in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Sequential Brands Group, Inc., owner of a diversified portfolio of consumer brands.
• Counsel to HPS Investment Partners, acting as existing term lender to Envision Healthcare Corporation, one of the nation’s largest medical group management services organizations, and new first- and second-lien lender to Amsurg, the ambulatory surgery division of Envision, in connection with Envision’s out-of-court recapitalization transactions.
• Counsel to the Special Committee of the Board of Directors of TPC Group Inc., in connection with TPC Group Inc.’s chapter 11 cases, TPC Group Inc. produces and sells value-added products derived from petrochemical raw materials to chemical and petroleum based companies in North America.
• Counsel to Centerbridge Capital Partners and its affiliates, as sponsor, in the chapter 11 cases of CraftWorks Parent, LLC and its subsidiaries, a restaurant and brewery operator under names such as Logan’s Roadhouse, Old Chicago, Rock Bottom, and Gordon Biersch.
• Counsel to 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.
• Counsel to Talen Energy Marketing, LLC and Talen Energy Supply, LLC as Second Lien Lenders in the chapter 11 cases of NorthEast Gas Generation, an owner and operator of electricity generation plants.
• Counsel to the Secured Lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Bumble Bee Parent, Inc. and its affiliated debtors, a major North American packaged foods company.
• Counsel to the DIP Lender and Senior Secured Lender in the chapter 11 case of George Washington Bridge Bus Station Development Venture LLC, a construction and engineering company focused on the construction of bus terminals.
• Counsel to HarbourVest Partners L.P. and Pantheon Ventures (US) LP as unsecured lenders in the chapter 11 cases of Sheridan Production II, a company that specializes in buyouts of oil and gas properties.
• Counsel to HPS Investment Partners, LLC, acting as the DIP Agent, DIP Lender, and DIP Secured Party, in the chapter 11 cases of Emerge Energy Services LP and its affiliates, a major energy service provider that engages in the mining, production, and distribution of silica sand proppant for the oil and gas fracturing industry.
• Counsel to lenders to a global company that develops agricultural products used in both livestock and crop farming, as well as products for the food industry, in its potential restructuring efforts.
• Counsel to the first lien lender to a major urgent care provider, with over 100 locations servicing Arizona, North Carolina, and Texas, in its potential restructuring efforts.
• Counsel to Talen Montana, LLC as a major customer and contract counterparty of Westmoreland Coal in Westmoreland’s chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Krayn Wind LLC in connection with FirstEnergy Solutions Corp chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to Barclays (US), holder of Seadrill Limited bonds and subscription agreement, in connection with the chapter 11 case of Seadrill.
• Counsel to Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital, as debt holder and financial sponsors of iHeart Media, in connection with the chapter 11 case of iHeart.
• Counsel to secured lender and equity sponsor in large international oil & gas exploration company.
• Counsel to Bain Capital, the equity sponsor of The Gymboree Corporation, in Gymboree’s chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to the Secured Lenders (and ultimately equity holders) in the chapter 11 cases of Capmark Financial Group Inc., a large commercial real estate lender.
• Counsel to secured lenders in connection with Pathmark Stores, a large northeastern grocery chain, chapter 11 cases.
• Counsel to the secured lenders in connection with the out-of-court restructuring of Targus Corporation, a U.S.-based manufacturer of accessories mostly related to mobile computing, photography, and locks.
• Counsel to certain lenders and backstop parties in connection the chapter 11 cases of Lee Enterprises, owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and other newspapers.
• Counsel to purchasers of assets, both in and out of court, including senior living facilities, energy and power assets, among others.

Official Creditors’ Committee Experience:

• Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Cineworld Group PLC with approximately $5.35 billion in total funded debt obligations. 
• Counsel to LEGO Systems, Inc., who is one of the nine members of the UCC, in connection with the chapter 11 cases of Toys “R” Us, Inc.
• Counsel to the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of leading solar power company SunEdison, Inc.; listing assets of $20.7 billion and liabilities of $16.1 billion, SunEdison’s chapter 11 filing was the largest bankruptcy of 2016.
• Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (and bondholders prepetition) in the chapter 11 cases of Winn-Dixie, one of the largest supermarket chains in the southern U.S.
• Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors (and bondholders prepetition) in the chapter 11 cases of Charys Holding Company, a remediation and construction company.
• Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Enron Corporation, a U.S. energy-trading and utilities company; and one of the largest chapter 11 cases in U.S. history.
• Counsel to Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors in the chapter 11 cases of Refco, Inc., a New York-based financial services company.