Partner

Louis S. Chiappetta

Restructuring, Banking & Finance, Employment & Benefits

"An outstanding attorney with strategic vision and charisma."

Chambers USA 2023

Overview

Louis S. Chiappetta is the Lead of the Global Restructuring Debtor practice and a partner in Mayer Brown's Chicago and New York offices. Louis is considered an industry leader with respect to representing both debtor and creditor clients in complex US and non-US reorganizations in both in and out-of-court restructurings—particularly those including balance sheet, multi-national, environmental, labor, and mass tort litigation issues throughout a wide variety of industries, including alternative investment, construction, pharmaceuticals, energy, automotive, manufacturing, grocery, telecommunications, entertainment, health care, and shipping.

Experience

Debtor/Company Representations

  • Wolverine Fuels, LLC, the nation’s largest bituminous coal producers, on the successful out-of-court cross-border debt and off-take contracts restructurings resulting in more than $3 billion in projected increased revenue over the life of the various off-take.
  • GWG Holdings, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries, a publicly-traded life settlements and alternative investments company, as lead debtors’ counsel in their plan confirmation and successful emergence from Chapter 11 resolving more than $2.1 billion in debt. This restructuring was awarded “Restructuring of the Year ($1B to $5B)” at the M&A Advisor Turnaround Awards 2023.
  • An agricultural company in the successful out-of-court restructuring of more than $800 million USD in unsecured debt, consisting of covenant relief amendments, the granting of collateral and obtaining consent from the lenders to raise up to $250 million of superpriority first lien debt.
  • School Specialty, Inc., a leading provider of educational products and services to the Pre-K- 12th grade market in the U.S. and Canada, in its successful out-of-court restructuring of more than $300 million of debt and consensual sale of substantially all of its assets to an entity formed by TCW Asset Management Company, LLC, Cerberus Capital Management, and Lantern Capital Partners.
  • The board of directors of Macy’s, Inc., a publicly traded retailer with sales of $24.6 billion, in connection with a new $3 billion ABL facility and $1.3 billion secured bond issuance. This restructuring was awarded “Restructuring and Insolvency Deal of the Year” at the IFLR1000 United States Awards 2021.

Recognition

  • Named as Financier Worldwide Bankruptcy & Insolvency 2024 – Distinguished Advisers
  • Ranked in Chambers USA 2022 for Bankruptcy/Restructuring – Illinois
  • Named as a Rising Star Partner in Restructuring and Insolvency by IFLR1000 United States 2023 and a Rising Star in Restructuring and Insolvency by IFLR1000 United States 2022
  • Named to Leadership Greater Chicago's (LGC) 2022 Signature Fellows Program
  • Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 and 2023 for Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Restructuring counsel to the Board of Directors of Macy’s, Inc. in connection with a new $3 billion ABS facility and $1.3 secured bond issuance, which won “Restructuring and Insolvency Deal of the Year” at the IFLR1000 United States Awards 2021.
  • Named one of Crain's Chicago Business’ 2021 Notable Rising Stars in Law
  • Named as one of the Top Attorneys in Illinois by Chicago Magazine in 2018 and 2019
  • Named as a Top Rising Star in Illinois by Super Lawyers in 2018 and 2019
  • Recipient of the 2014 Crystal Apple Award for Education
  • 2009 Veterans Pro Bono Service Award
  • William Hennessy Award Nominee (2001-08)

Education

  • Loyola University Chicago School of Law, JD, magna cum laude
  • Northwestern University, BS
  • Saint Xavier University, MA magna cum laude

Admissions

  • Illinois
  • New York

Professional & Community Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors of the Golden Apple Foundation, a charitable organization focused on recognizing, recruiting and training teachers in schools in need in Illinois.
  • Member, American Bankruptcy Institute
  • Member, Turnaround Management Association
  • Member, International Women’s Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Member, Illinois Bar Association
  • Member, Chicago Bar Association
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