Restructuring/Insolvency | Europe

The firm has a market-leading restructuring and insolvency team. It has particular expertise advising lenders on high-profile restructuring matters, including under the WHOA scheme, as well as in Chapter 11 proceedings. In addition to its strength on the lender side of restructuring matters, the team also has experience in borrower-side mandates, and works closely with the firm's banking and finance practice on liquidity issues. Close collaboration with the fir's strong international network makes the firm a top choice for cross-border mandates. The team is also well regarded for advising on debt-for-equity swaps. On 1st May 2024, Allen & Overy and Shearman & Sterling merged to form A&O Shearman.

Clifford Chance is a highly regarded law firm that advises both lenders and debtors on high-profile debt restructuring matters. The team has a broad practice that encompasses emergency financing, debt enforcement processes, WHOA schemes and English law schemes of arrangement. Team members also offer notable experience in contentious proceedings, including bankruptcy litigation and insolvency proceedings, often working alongside lawyers from the firm's dispute resolution practice.

Houthoff has an outstanding team with capabilities across the full breadth of restructuring and insolvency law, as well as administration work. The law firm regularly advises both debtors and creditors, as well as board members and bondholders, on high-profile, complex cross-border restructurings, including distressed transactions and matters involving committees of representatives. It is well versed in handling litigation concerning expropriation compensation and liability claims. The team assists a client roster ranging from national retailers to international banks.

NautaDutilh is a top-tier law firm with a large dedicated team acting across the full spectrum of restructuring and insolvency law. The team has a broad client base, representing both borrowers and creditors, including noteholder and bondholder committees. Team members have experience in both Dutch and UK schemes of arrangement, as well as advising on enforcement proceedings and winding-down proceedings. NautaDutilh additionally acts on recapitalisation matters. The firm offers notable experience in both bankruptcy proceedings and insolvency disputes.

De Brauw Blackstone Westbroek is a well-established restructuring firm with a prestigious clientele. The law firm regularly advises on large cross-border financial restructurings, acting predominantly for national and international debtors across various industries. It has additional experience representing lenders and investors. The firm offers expertise in English schemes of arrangement, US Chapter 15 recognition proceedings and Dutch security enforcement procedures. It is also well respected for acting for clients on litigation concerning bankruptcy liability. Team members further handle matters under the cross-border insolvency protocol.

Freshfields is a well-respected international law firm whose team has a focus on complex restructuring and insolvency cases. Noted for its advice on cross-border restructurings, the law firm often acts for lenders and guarantors, as well as representing debtors from a number of industries. It regularly assists with contingency plans and financing agreements. The team is experienced in litigation regarding claim validation disputes. Team members are also noted for advising on the acquisition, restructuring and subsequent liquidation of distressed companies by investors. The team collaborates closely with the firm's offices in other jurisdictions on cross-border mandates.

Loyens & Loeff is a reputable firm with a holistic offering to both creditors and debtors in complex restructuring and insolvency cases with a focus on cross-border restructurings and refinancing. The law firm also assists with distressed M&A transactions. The team is noted for acting on contentious insolvency proceedings and creating multiparty deleveraging plans for sustainable company financing.

Stibbe has a well-respected team with a strong coverage of bankruptcy and insolvency mandates, representing debtors and creditors across various industries. It is esteemed for its role as bankruptcy trustee in large cross-border cases. The law firm offers expertise in debt and equity restructurings. It is further recognised for representing clients in litigation concerning trustee issues.

Wijn & Stael is an excellent firm known for its holistic offering representing both debtors and creditors, as well as its role as administrator in high-profile bankruptcy cases. Team members regularly act as court-appointed trustee on insolvency and bankruptcy cases, representing clients from the retail sector. It also assists with trustee negotiations and restructurings.

CMS is a well-respected law firm with strong expertise in administration work. It is regularly mandated by courts as trustees for large and politically sensitive bankruptcy cases. The team also assists with liquidation proceedings, insolvency investigations and directors' liability issues. It acts for debtors on financial restructurings.

DLA Piper is a reputable international law firm with a broad coverage of bankruptcy and insolvency issues. It advises on cross-border restructurings, including debt restructurings and rescue financing agreements. The team regularly assists with distressed transactions and bank guarantees. The firm also offers expertise in insolvency planning and liability issues. The firm's strong international network helps to serve debtors and creditors from the banking, retail and technology sectors.

Florent offers a particular focus on administration work with experience in cross-border matters. It is regularly mandated by courts as trustees and administrators in the bankruptcy proceedings of retail stores and restaurants, as well as fashion companies. The law firm also assists with internal investigations into insolvencies, liability assessments and asset recovery. It has further expertise encompassing payment suspensions, employment law advice to administrators and contingency planning.

Windt Le Grand Leeuwenburgh is a Rotterdam-based law firm that acts on bankruptcy and restructuring processes. The law firm advises on shareholder issues and negotiations with creditors. Team members have experience acting as bankruptcy administrators. The team acts on the Dutch WHOA scheme.

AKD is a solid firm recognised for its experience as administrator in high-profile insolvency cases throughout the Netherlands. Regularly appointed by courts, the team also offers significant strength in cross-border bankruptcy and insolvency cases. It is known for acting for clients from various sectors, including shipping and fashion. AKD also assists creditors and debtors with insolvency proceedings and liability litigation across the European Union and the USA.

Dentons is a well-respected law firm with expertise as administrator and trustee, often appointed by courts in high-value proceedings covering industry sectors such as media. It offers expertise in comprehensive debt restructurings, including share transfers and liquidations, as well as proceedings under the Dutch scheme of arrangement. The team also assists with US Chapter 11 proceedings, English law schemes of arrangement and negotiations with creditors. Clients benefit from the firm's strong international network.

HVG Law's lawyers are renowned for their experience acting as bankruptcy trustees and liquidators. The law firm advises on winding-up proceedings and the distressed sale of assets. It also assists with emergency financing matters.

Jones Day has a well-known practice group with experience acting as court-appointed administrators for restructuring and insolvency cases. It acts on debt restructurings, asset recovery proceedings and liability investigations. Clients benefit from the law firm's large network of international offices.

Linklaters is a well-respected firm known predominantly for acting for creditors from the finance sector on restructurings and financing issues. The law firm utilises its strong international network to assist with cross-border distressed corporate reorganisations and insolvency proceedings. It works closely with the firm's banking and finance practice to provide clients with a full-service offering.

Van Benthem & Keulen is well known for its extensive activity in bankruptcy proceedings, with team members often acting as liquidators. The law firm also assists clients with Dutch schemes of arrangement, and represents clients in contentious restructuring and insolvency proceedings.