LAWYER PROFILE
Duane Loft

Duane Loft

USA 2026

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Ranked in 2 practice areas

About

Provided by Pallas Partners (US) LLP

Practice Areas

Duane leads Pallas’s New York practice. He represents clients in complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on restructuring disputes, contested issues in bankruptcy, and cross-border litigation.

In the area of restructuring litigation, Duane has represented ad hoc groups of creditors in a number of significant corporate bankruptcies, including the Chapter 11 cases of Intelsat S.A. and LBI Media, in each case serving as trial counsel in multi-week hearings on contested plans of reorganisation.

In cross-border disputes, Duane has helped recover billions of dollars for institutional investors, including through Section 1782 discovery proceedings that have led to precedent-setting decisions in district and appellate courts throughout the United States.

Work Highlights

Bombardier Inc. – Representing 2034 Noteholders of Bombardier Inc. in litigation to collect a make-whole payment arising from a covenant breach and to invalidate a vote-rigging liability management exercise.

Norske Skog – Defending fraudulent transfer claims in Chapter 15 adversary proceedings brought by the trustee of Norske Skogindustrier, an insolvent Norwegian paper company, relating to a 2016 restructuring.

Offshore Appraisal Section 1782 Proceedings – Section 1782 discovery proceedings for dissenting shareholders pursuing billions of dollars in offshore shareholder appraisal claims, including in connection with the take-private mergers of 58.com, Jardine, SINA, 51Job, Myovant Sciences, and New Frontier Health.

Hertz – Representing Ad Hoc Group of Hertz creditors to recover backstop fee owed in connection with restructuring of Hertz’s European businesses.

Intelsat, S.A. – Represented Ad Hoc Group of Convertible Noteholders in Chapter 11 of Intelsat S.A., including as trial counsel in a three-week contested plan confirmation hearing.

Education

Fordham Law School

J.D., magna cum laude; Notes & Articles Editor, Fordham Law Review; Order of the Coif (top 10% of class); Fordham Prize

Fordham University

B.A., summa cum laude, Comparative Literature

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Chambers Guide to the USA

Bankruptcy Litigation - New York

Band 3
Band 3

Individual Editorial

Duane Loft of Pallas Partners is an experienced litigator, who advises clients in bankruptcy disputes. He serves as practice head.

Litigation: General Commercial - New York

Band 4
Band 4

Individual Editorial
Duane Loft heads the New York practice at Pallas Partners LLP and possesses a wealth of experience in commercial disputes, often arising from bankruptcies and restructurings. He has particular expertise handling Section 1782 proceedings in support of appraisal litigation in a wide range of jurisdictions.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • He has been exceptional.

    Bankruptcy LitigationChambers Guide to the USA
  • Duane is very smart and bright.

    Bankruptcy LitigationChambers Guide to the USA
  • He is very sharp, on the ball and always thinking ahead.

    Bankruptcy LitigationChambers Guide to the USA
  • Duane is aggressive and smart, with a great ability to synthesize complex matters into relevant strategic points. The advice he provides makes it evident he cares about clients' success.

    Litigation: General CommercialChambers Guide to the USA
  • Duane is keenly aware of the client's objective and crafting the best path forward to achieve their goal.

    Litigation: General CommercialChambers Guide to the USA

Ranked Individuals at Pallas Partners (US) LLP (4)

New York

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