Department profile
Richards, Layton & Finger PA

Bankruptcy/Restructuring

USA Guide 2026 : Delaware


Richards, Layton & Finger PA

Rankings

About

Provided by Richards, Layton & Finger PA

With one of the region’s largest and most active bankruptcy practices, Richards, Layton & Finger continues to expand its reputation as counsel of choice in high-value bankruptcy and restructuring cases in Delaware. The firm has handled some of the nation’s largest, most complex and most sensitive bankruptcy matters arising in the state. Its attorneys provide the full spectrum of bankruptcy counsel and have amassed enormous experience before the Delaware Bankruptcy Court. Their range of services, depth of experience, thorough knowledge of bankruptcy law and procedures, and major victories are invaluable to both clients and co-counsel.

  • Representing key parties from nearly every business sector, Richards Layton has been involved in hundreds of major chapter 11 cases filed in Delaware.
  • Respected firms throughout the U.S. rely on their expertise, tapping them as co-counsel in many of the most complex bankruptcy cases filed in Delaware.
  • The firm’s clients are debtors, lenders, acquirers, investors and creditors, including statutory and ad hoc creditors’ committees, secured creditors, trade creditors, landlords and others.
  • The bankruptcy litigators prosecute and defend the full range of litigation arising in bankruptcy, including chapter 11 claims, preference actions, fraudulent conveyance claims, challenges to acquisitions and valuation disputes.
  • A client told Chambers, “I can’t imagine using any other firm than Richards, Layton & Finger for Delaware matters. It’s top-notch.”

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Bankruptcy/Restructuring - Delaware

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For

Richards, Layton & Finger PA is a market-leading practice with expertise in complex bankruptcy and restructuring matters, renowned especially for its representation of debtors. A go-to firm for high value cases that file in Delaware, Richards, Layton & Finger has a deep bench of strong attorneys well versed in handling significant Chapter 11 cases. The firm is also equipped to handle litigation arising from bankruptcy proceedings, including fraudulent conveyance claims.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Richards, Layton & Finger PA represented the liquidating trustee of the PW OpCo Liquidating Trust, as co-counsel, in the confirmed Chapter 11 plan of the MVK Farmco LLC bankruptcy cases.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Richards, Layton & Finger is practical, creative, extremely responsive and reliable.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Richards, Layton & Finger is exceptional on Delaware bankruptcy precedent and working to ensure the smooth administration of a case.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • The Richards, Layton & Finger team is commercial and practical, and effectively drives to resolutions that are favorable to their client.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • The firm has an excellent understanding of Delaware statutes and demonstrates the ability to navigate complex issues within the courts.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • The group acts as a true strategic partner, whose insight can help create value-maximizing strategies.

    Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1John Henry Knight
    Band 1John Henry Knight

    John Henry Knight

    John Knight has a distinguished practice and is routinely retained by both companies and financial institutions seeking his expertise in proceedings such as Chapter 11 filings. He is adept at representing debtors in a range of industries, including retail and energy.

  • Band 1Mark D Collins
    Band 1Mark D Collins

    Mark D Collins

    Esteemed attorney Mark Collins is noted for his significant Chapter 11 practice. He regularly advises market-leading companies in financial distress, including those with significant international operations. He focuses his practice on a range of industries, including energy, biopharmaceuticals and retail. He serves as chair of the firm's bankruptcy and corporate restructuring department.

    • Mark is very experienced and knowledgeable.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Amanda Steele
    Band 2Amanda Steele

    Amanda Steele

    Amanda Steele garners ample praise for her Chapter 11 practice and is highly adept at representing both creditors and debtors. She has significant experience advising on matters in industries such as technology and pharmaceuticals.

    • Amanda is a seasoned lawyer who is excellent in court, on the phone with opposing counsel and in the boardroom.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Daniel J DeFranceschi
    Band 2Daniel J DeFranceschi

    Daniel J DeFranceschi

    Daniel DeFranceschi is often called upon to provide expert counsel on Chapter 11 proceedings. He is a fine choice of counsel for debtor-side clients from industries such as energy and retail, bringing to bear additional experience in creditor mandates.
    • Daniel is a smart, creative attorney.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Michael J Merchant
    Band 2Michael J Merchant

    Michael J Merchant

    Michael Merchant is a fine choice of attorney for large-scale Chapter 11 reorganisations. He draws on broad experience in matters involving distressed assets, including Section 363 transactions.

    • Mike is an absolute pleasure to work with, and clients love him.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • Mike is experienced and effective.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Paul N Heath
    Band 2Paul N Heath

    Paul N Heath

    Paul Heath has a robust Chapter 11 practice and frequently advises clients across a range of industries, both domestically and internationally, with recent cases in the pharmaceutical, technology and energy sectors. He complements his expert debtor-side practice with experience acting for creditors.
    • Paul is an experienced lawyer. He understands the market, is very effective and provides practical, commercial advice.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Robert J Stearn Jr
    Band 2Robert J Stearn Jr

    Robert J Stearn Jr

    Robert Stearn centers his bankruptcy practice on contentious matters. He offers wide-ranging expertise in civil litigation, handling disputes such as fraudulent transfer actions and breaches of fiduciary duty.
    • You could not hope for a better litigator on your team than Rob. His courtroom presence is courteous, and he presents your case and defends you masterfully.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 2Russell C Silberglied
    Band 2Russell C Silberglied

    Russell C Silberglied

    Russell Silberglied demonstrates significant capabilities in both contentious and non-contentious distressed proceedings. His broad client base includes a range of stakeholders, including lenders and debtors.

    • Russ is an amazing lawyer and a valued resource.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
  • Band 4Zachary I. Shapiro
    Band 4Zachary I. Shapiro

    Zachary I. Shapiro

    Zachary Shapiro advises on a range of bankruptcy-related matters, including high-profile cases. He regularly acts on behalf of debtors on Chapter 11 proceedings.

    • Zach is smart, responsive and creative.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • Zach shines when there is a time-sensitive, complicated issue to solve. He is sharp, practical, reliable and creative.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA
    • Zach's understanding of what can be accomplished in Delaware is second to none.

      Bankruptcy/Restructuring respondentUSA

Ranked Individuals at Richards, Layton & Finger PA (9)

Delaware

Members

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