Partner
Louis S. Chiappetta
Restructuring, Banking & Finance, Employment & Benefits
"An outstanding attorney with strategic vision and charisma."
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