Associate: FRI – Bankruptcy Litigation

White & Case LLP•New York, NY

About The Position

Our Financial Restructuring and Insolvency Practice specializes in providing strategic legal counsel to clients facing financial distress, insolvency or bankruptcy. We assist creditors, debtors, and other stakeholders in navigating complex restructuring and insolvency proceedings. Our team has expertise in developing and implementing restructuring plans, negotiating with creditors and managing litigation related to distressed assets. We guide clients through chapter 11 proceedings, out-of-court restructurings and cross-border insolvencies, ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations. By leveraging our deep understanding of financial and legal frameworks, we help clients achieve optimal outcomes in challenging financial situations, preserving value and facilitating recovery. Position Summary We are looking to hire an attorney with one to three years of experience. The position is ideal for an attorney seeking interesting work on high-profile, complex bankruptcy litigation in restructuring matters at an elite global law firm. This is a unique opportunity to work for a Chambers ranked Band 1 Bankruptcy Litigation team in a highly collaborative environment, supporting the broader Financial Restructuring & Insolvency practice group. The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in bankruptcy litigation and commercial litigation including courtroom experience, all aspects of discovery, research, brief writing, litigation strategy, and advising clients through the contentious elements of the restructuring process. Candidates should demonstrate excellent academic credentials and a foundational understanding of legal concepts relevant to commercial litigation generally and a willingness to learn and develop their understanding of bankruptcy law and procedure. Strong writing and drafting skills are important, as is a willingness to learn and develop your ability to navigate complex issues. You should be organized, attentive to detail, and able to manage multiple tasks with guidance and supervision. We value associates who are personable, cooperative, and enjoy working as part of a team. Good communication skills and a proactive approach to learning will help you succeed in this role. You will work on fast paced bankruptcy litigation matters alongside senior lawyers, gaining exposure to high-profile projects that can span weeks or months rather than years. You should be eager to take on new responsibilities as you grow, and demonstrate initiative and reliability in supporting colleagues and clients.

Requirements

One to three years of experience
Strong interest in bankruptcy litigation and commercial litigation
Courtroom experience
Experience with all aspects of discovery, research, brief writing, litigation strategy
Excellent academic credentials
Foundational understanding of legal concepts relevant to commercial litigation generally
Willingness to learn and develop understanding of bankruptcy law and procedure
Strong writing and drafting skills
Willingness to learn and develop ability to navigate complex issues
Organized, attentive to detail
Able to manage multiple tasks with guidance and supervision
Personable, cooperative, and enjoy working as part of a team
Good communication skills
Proactive approach to learning

Nice To Haves

Experience advising clients through the contentious elements of the restructuring process

Responsibilities

Prepare for and participate in trials, including those related to plan confirmation and those arising in adversary proceedings
Participate in all aspects of discovery, including preparing for and participating in depositions, requesting and reviewing documents, and all other forms of written discovery
Draft and revise pleadings, motions, briefs, and memoranda in Chapter 11 cases, related adversary proceedings, and insolvency-related litigation
Conduct legal research on complex issues under the US Bankruptcy Code and related federal and state statutes
Support litigation and negotiation of bankruptcy-specific contested matters, including Chapter 11 plan confirmation, automatic stay issues, provision of adequate protection, use of cash collateral, authorization of debtor-in-possession financing, claims estimation, and claims objections
Assess, develop, and prosecute or defend bankruptcy-specific claims and causes of action, including, for example, federal law preference and fraudulent transfer claims, asserted in connection with bankruptcy cases
Assess, develop, and prosecute or defend commercial law claims and causes of action, including, for example, breach of contract, business tort, state law preference and fraudulent conveyance, and fiduciary duty claims, typically asserted in connection with bankruptcy cases
Opine on matters involving director and officer liability, corporate governance, and special committee or conflict scenarios in restructuring contexts
Support cross-border insolvency and Chapter 15-related issues, coordinating with overseas counsel where appropriate
Analyze financial and business information to support litigation strategy, including reviewing business plans, financial statements, and valuation materials
Monitor and summarize developments in bankruptcy and insolvency law, including case law, rule changes and enforcement trends
Assist with client communications, including drafting email updates, research summaries and case status reports on fast-moving bankruptcy issues
Contribute to internal knowledge materials, including precedent pleadings, checklists, and practice guides focused on bankruptcy and related commercial litigation